Wednesday night at the Kangaroo Point Multicultural Centre, the spotlight shone brightly on students from various Brisbane schools as they were celebrated for their exceptional literary talents at the annual Literary Competition presentation hosted by the Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT).

This prestigious event marked the culmination of the 2023 IEU-QNT Literary Competition, which received an astounding 900 submissions encompassing poetry, short stories, and non-fiction prose. Collaborating with the English Teachers’ Association of Queensland (ETAQ), this competition has maintained its position as Queensland’s longest-running writing competition, now in its 64th year. The Literary Competition’s reach extended beyond the boundaries of school types, welcoming entries from both state and non-government institutions.

As the evening unfolded, award recipients basked in the glow of recognition. Certificates and book prizes were bestowed upon these young writers, amplifying the resonance of their triumph. Furthermore, the stage was set for them to showcase their literary prowess as they took to the podium to recite their winning pieces, captivating the audience with their words.

Terry Burke, IEU-QNT Branch Secretary, underlined the significance of the Literary Competition in nurturing students’ writing skills and fostering their creativity. He harked back to the competition’s origins, describing it as a platform conceived by the union’s predecessor to foster literary growth and empower the expression of young minds.

The remarkable depth of talent displayed in this year’s submissions impressed the Literary Competition judges. Entries spanned a spectrum of styles and themes, emanating from every corner of the state. Terry Burke extended his heartfelt congratulations to the gifted writers who garnered recognition and expressed his gratitude to all participants who submitted their work to the 2023 Literary Competition.

The Brisbane-based winners of the 2023 Literary Competition seized their moment in the spotlight. Among them were names that would soon resonate in literary circles:

Milli Gornik from St Thomas More College, Sunnybank, claimed victory in the Year 11 and 12 short story category with “Blossom of Hope.”

Salem Williams of Kelvin Grove State College, Kelvin Grove, emerged triumphant in Year 11 and 12 poetry for “Gender Envy.”

Ellouise Tkaczyk from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School, Ascot, showcased her talent in the Year 9 and 10 short story category with “Blood and Ribbon.”

Huntar Paterson from St Thomas More College, Sunnybank, captured the essence of Year 9 and 10 poetry with “Dwelling by the Sea.”

Dominic Palmani, also from St Thomas More College, Sunnybank, earned acclaim in Year 7 and 8 poetry for his piece titled “Guitar.”

Isaac Furlong of Kelvin Grove State College, Kelvin Grove, illuminated the Year 5 and 6 short story category with “A Drop of Crimson.”

As the echoes of their words reverberated through the Multicultural Centre, the event bore testimony to the unwavering commitment of these young writers to the art of storytelling. The IEU-QNT and ETAQ had provided not just a platform for recognition, but a crucible for the development of literary brilliance. In these winners, the spirit of creative expression and literary excellence burned brightly, heralding a new generation of storytellers ready to shape the future of literature.