Festival of Stories
Echuca Moama's Festival of Stories coming October 16-18
Echuca is hosting its very own Storyteller's Festival this October and we are encouraging students to enter the inaugural writing competition: https://festivalofstories.com.au/writing-prize/
As part of the inaugural Festival of Stories, we’re inviting writers to explore the theme ofPlace in 500–1000 words and share their story with us. What does Place mean to you? Is it the town where you grew up, the river you return to, a house filled with memories, a landscape that shaped you or somewhere that exists only in your imagination?
The Festival of Stories Writing Prize celebrates the power of the written word and the many ways stories connect us to people, places and memories. Whether you’re an emerging young writer or an adult with a story waiting to be told, we want to hear your voice.
Two categories:
Youth | 15–18 years ENTER THE YOUTH CATEGORY Prize: $200 Collins Books Echuca in-store voucher.
Open | 19+ years ENTER THE OPEN CATEGORY Prize: $200 from The Splendid Word, plus a one-year Writers Victoria membership valued at $75.
Both categories invite you to respond to the theme Place in an original piece of writing between 500 and 1000 words.
Your story can take you anywhere. It might be deeply personal, imaginative, nostalgic, funny, unexpected or all of the above. We want to hear your unique voice and your interpretation of what Place means to you.
Entries must be original, unpublished work written solely by the entrant. AI-generated or AI-edited entries are not eligible. Entries will be assessed anonymously by a team of local judges (including academics, English teachers, librarians, published authors and lovers of words) using a uniform set of criteria. Copyright remains with the author.
Entries close at 5pm on Friday 2 October 2026. Winners will be announced on Friday 16 October 2026 at the Festival of Stories Opening Night Main Stage at the historic Port of Echuca Wharf.
There are many other exciting events on the program that students might be interested in, including the following - so keep an eye out on their website and social media channels.
Saturday October 17 at 10am - Storytelling through Song with Dan Sultan, Benny Walker and Madi Colvile-Walker - followed by a Songwriting Workshop. Both of these events are ticketed. Here is the link: https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/ab4b1294-975b-44c3-ae3e-df813300c8ad
Saturday October 17 at 10am - Storytelling through the Media with AI expert, along with local content creators and journalists, followed by AI and the Media workshop. Both of these are ticketed events. Here is the link: https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/752a3def-c94a-4c7b-8e67-ea6d7c1574c9
Ms Armstrong
English Learning Leader