JCU Cairns Eisteddfod -Literary Awards
Mrs Ambre Paolacci, Acting Middle Leader Curriculum - English
JCU Cairns Eisteddfod – Celebrating Literary Excellence
Earlier this term, 21 of our talented students submitted a total of 36 original literary pieces across six diverse categories in the JCU Cairns Eisteddfod. These categories included:
- Creative Writing
- Original Poetry
- Letter Writing
- Report Writing
- Script Writing
- Speech Writing
The variety of topics explored and the creativity displayed in each submission were an absolute delight to read. Every student should be incredibly proud of their efforts, especially given the additional workload on top of their regular school assessments.
This year saw a record-breaking number of entries for the Cairns Eisteddfod, with over 300 manuscripts submitted from across the Cairns region. This was a 30% increase from previous years!
On Wednesday, 18th June, 13 of our students attended the Cairns Eisteddfod Literary Awards Presentation, where awards were revealed for the first time on the night. We are proud to share the following results:
Creative Writing – Years 10–12
🥉 3rd Place – Abigail Beckwith
🎖️ Highly Commended – Eva Cahill, Summer Richardson, Ami Kaur
Original Poetry – Years 7–9
🎖️ Highly Commended – Annalise Walmsley
Original Poetry – Years 10–12
🥇 1st Place – Charlotte Agnew
🥈 2nd Place – Ami Kaur
🥉 3rd Place – Ava Phillips
🎖️ Highly Commended – Mercedes Fontaine
Report Writing – Years 7–9
🥈 2nd Place – Claire Bateman
Report Writing – Years 10–12
🥈 2nd Place – Rafael Lalabalavu
🥉 3rd Place – Jazlyn Cash Agius
🎖️ Highly Commended – Tahlia Gannon, Emma Palmieri, Summer Richardson
Script Writing – Years 7–12
🥇 1st Place – Ami Kaur
Speech Writing – Years 10–12
🥇 1st Place – Summer Richardson
🥈 2nd Place – Ami Kaur
🥉 3rd Place – Tahlia Gannon
🎖️ Highly Commended – Eva Cahill, Rafael Lalabalavu
Ami Kaur
Ami Kaur
In addition to category awards, four major awards were
presented to students who consistently demonstrated
excellence in creativity and written expression.
We are incredibly proud of Ami Kaur, who received the
prestigious Senior Literary Encouragement Award.
A special mention also goes to Charlotte Agnew, who was invited to present her powerful speech on the environmental destruction of Mother Earth. This was a performance that captivated the entire audience. You can also read a copy of Charlotte’s poem below.
A huge congratulations to all students who submitted work. Whether or not you received an award, your efforts have strengthened your writing and storytelling skills for the future. Keep an eye out for upcoming writing competitions in Semester 2 — we can’t wait to see what you create next!
The Weight of Our Silence by Charlotte Agnew (Year 11)
In the genesis of stillness, silence prevailed
Pure and undisturbed as it cradled the dawn of time.
Mountains ascended; their crowns caressed by the breath of stars.
Oceans whispered in esoteric tongues,
While the wind sang softly to the listening trees
The silence was sacred as the Earth inhaled existence.
Forests were draped in lush tranquillity
Swaying in the tender embrace of wind
No smoke, no hunger, no human vendetta
Only the cadence of rivers, rain, and rainforests.
To those who bent an ear to wonder, the Earth sang her joy
The silence endured as the Earth exhaled.
Until silence was shattered
Split by steel, smeared in soot
A metal beast tore through the trees
Its fangs biting deep into the pulse of the land
Injecting fumes into the air so the skies bled black with oil and ash
In the turmoil, the Earth inhaled with horror.
Fields once lush with life turned barren
As they cracked open by the heat of an angry sun
Poisoned rivers raged with fury and thirst
The weather fought back to manifest Earth’s wrath
The silence began to shrivel like a forgotten flower on a windowsill
Strained and enraged, the Earth inhaled a shaky breath.
Where life’s rhythm once dancing in harmony
Now, only the hollow resonance of absence remains
The last tree succumbs without regard
Its roots clawing desperately at the tainted soil
Before the blade of human ignorance severs its final breath
At this, the Earth exhales in a mournful lament.
The oceans now fester beneath the scars of neglect
As turtles choke on plastic in oil-stained currents.
Coral reefs lie as skeletal remnants of a forgotten world.
Above, the sky hangs heavy with the stench of burnt dreams.
As the wind screams with the sharp rasp of dying leaves
And the Earth cannot inhale through the blanket of ash
Beneath the burden of what we have unleashed
The Earth trembles in a silent scream, its voice stolen by humanity
The last animal stirs, but finds no place to run
Silence tightens like a noose around a trembling throat
As humanity realises that money cannot feed us
But it’s too late, the Earth already exhaled its final breath.
Kind regards
Mrs Ambre Paolacci | Acting Middle Leader English