The Good Oil Young Writers’ Award is an initiative of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan in 2017 to celebrate the 160th anniversary of their life and mission as a Catholic congregation of religious women.
The Award seeks to encourage and support the development of younger writers interested in exploring ideas, contemporary issues and stories about people and happenings from a contemporary Christian perspective.
The award is open to ALL secondary school students and post-school young adults in Australia, Japan, the Philippines and Kiribati – countries where the Sisters of the Good Samaritan live and minister. Entrants must be eligible to enter one of three age groups:
- Secondary Student (Years 7 to 9);
- Secondary Student (Years 10 to 12);
- Post-School (18 to 35 years of age).
Download The Good Oil 2017 Young Writers’ Award poster [A3 poster] or [A4 poster]
Total prize money $3000
In each of the three age groups three monetary prizes will be awarded.
- First prize $500
- Second prize $300
- Third prize $200
How to enter
Entries for The Good Oil 2017 Young Writers’ Award open on Tuesday March 21, 2017 and close at midnight, AEST, on Tuesday July 11, 2017.
Entrants are invited to submit a piece of writing, between 750 and 1,000 words, adopting one of the following writing styles:
- journalistic feature writing (e.g. profiles of people or issues-based articles based on interviews);
- opinion writing;
- creative writing or first person reflective writing.
In their chosen writing style, entrants are asked to explore the theme “Who is my neighbour?”
Entrants must read the Award Guidelines before submitting their entry.
Entrants must download and complete an entry form and submit it with their piece of writing. By submitting this entry form, you acknowledge that you have read and accept all conditions outlined in The Good Oil 2017 Young Writers’ Award Guidelines.
Where to send entries
All entries must be emailed to tgoyoungwriters@goodsams.org.au as a PDF attachment AND be accompanied by a completed entry form (as a PDF or JPG attachment).
All entrants will receive an email confirming receipt of their entry. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact us by email tgoyoungwriters@goodsams.org.au before the closing date.
Winning entries
Winning entries will be announced in The Good Oil, on the website of the Good Samaritan Sisters, and via Twitter (follow @TheGoodOilSGS) on Tuesday August 15, 2017. Individual winners will also be contacted by email. Winning entries will be published in The Good Oil after August 15, 2017. All entrants will receive a certificate of participation.
Key dates
- Award entries officially open: Tuesday March 21, 2017
- Award entries close: midnight AEST, Tuesday July 11, 2017
- Award winners announced: Tuesday August 15, 2017
Judging panel
The judging panel will include people with relevant qualifications and experience. This panel will base their decision on the entries which best explore the theme “Who is my neighbour?” in their chosen writing style. In particular, the judging panel will be looking for writing that is topical, engaging, accessible, creative, original, and well written.
Tips to help you with your entry
- The theme for this year – “Who is my neighbour?” – is a quote from the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).
- You are strongly encouraged to look at past editions of The Good Oil, the e-magazine of the Good Samaritan Sisters to gain an understanding of the type and style of articles published, and the publication’s vision: “to nourish the spirit, stimulate thinking and encourage reflection and dialogue about issues of the day from a Christian, Catholic, Good Samaritan perspective”.
- Here are some samples of articles we’ve published in The Good Oil which adopt different writing styles:
Journalistic feature writing:
- “Young shoulders, big hearts” by Evan Ellis
- “Restoring an endangered ecological community” by Debra Vermeer
- “A committed and passionate advocate” by Stephanie Thomas
- “Walking the talk: empowering Indigenous students” by Debra Vermeer
- “Dancing with the playful consciousness of God” by Natalie Lindner L’Huillier
- “The allure of the outback” by Stephanie Thomas
Opinion writing:
- “Pilgrimage: opening ourselves to a new energy” by Ashleigh Green
- “A bit more empathy and a lot less sympathy” by Georgia Cranko
- “Asking RU OK could make all the difference” by Moira Byrne Garton
- “Be bold and brave” by Meg Kahler SGS
- “Why we felt compelled to act” by Donna Mulhearn and Justin Whelan
- “Coffee and chocolate: a good starting place” by Evan Ellis
Creative writing or first person reflective writing:
- “May those… in the shadows be seen by those in the sun” by Monica Dutton
- “For the best” by Isabella Brown
- “Roadside reflections” by Alice Priest
- “Dying of wounds from a war she never saw” by Donna Mulhearn
- “It’s like church-sans-frontier” by Alice Priest
- “Holding on to hope” by Sarah Puls SGS
Got any questions?
Please email us at tgoyoungwriters@goodsams.org.au
Good luck and enjoy the writing process!
