Mudgee Readers Festival
And the winner is…
The Much More Than Words competition has wrapped up for this year and we couldn’t have done it without our sponsors, Mid-Western Regional Council and Moolarben Coal. Without sponsorship, our competition and upcoming exhibition of entries would not be possible.
Congratulations to all those who entered. Every entry was of high quality with entrants ranging in age from ten years to grandparents, covering a wide range of topics. The combination of eye-catching images and wonderful prose and poetry made the judges’ job very difficult. But a decision had to be made. The first prize went to Deborah Cooke for ‘Rekindling’ (featured image). Below are all the finalists and the entries to be published in the Much More Than Words anthology.
Our exhibition for all entries and the launch of the anthology will be held in conjunction with the Mudgee Readers Festival on Saturday 27th August. Further details of the venue and time will be available closer to the date. We welcome everyone to come along to the exhibition and join in on the fun of the Launch. Our own poet and musician, Bob Campbell will be entertaining all in attendance.
Again, congratulations to all our entrants and those who made our finalists list.
| First Place | Rekindling | Deborah Cooke | Mt Marsden |
| Second Place | The Butterfly | Noel Pickett | Branxton |
| Third Place | The Gardener | Maria Radanov | Kyabram |
| Cover Design | On Nature’s Terms | Narelle Noppert | Picton |
INCLUDED IN MUCH MORE THAN WORDS ANTHOLOGY
(In no particular order)
| Let the Dragons Play | Peter O’Shaughnessy | Eaton |
| The Observer | Amy Miller | Marcus Beach |
| The Siren Song of Home | Lara Flanagan | Tenterfield |
| I Listened to Her Silence | Kevin Pye | Mudgee |
| Alleyway | Samuel D Mayson | Mudgee |
| Myself | Manuga Bandara | Girraween |
| Listen to the Rising Sun | Jim Kent | Port Fairy |
| What She Can Be | Wendell Watt | Greenwich |
| Single Apple on a Tree | Elizabeth Blackmore | Broken Hill |
| Moon in the Morning | Anne Elizabeth Andrews | Waukivory |
| Ode to Luna | Joanna Fairclough | Blackburn |
| Chasing Rainbows | Sheryl Molony | Salter Point |
| Remember… | Verena Bacchini | Balgowlah |
| A Life | Jude Sattler | Beachmere |
| Babe of the Vineyards | Monica Lee | Mudgee |
| Ghost Gum | Agi Dobson | Korumburra |
| Coffee | Natalie Cooper | Burwood |
Much More Than Words Competition update
The closing date for entering Much More Than Words has now passed. Thank you to the many people who entered.
We have received some entry fees into our bank account from people whose entries have not yet arrived. If you entered and have not received an email confirmation that we have received your entry it is because we have not received it.
You can get in touch with us by emailing mvw.nsw@gmail.com
Best wishes and good luck to all our entrants.
A picture is worth a thousand words
The first impression of this picture is ‘what well-behaved dogs.’ And for the split-second this picture was taken, indeed they were. However, immediately after they both liberated some baubles from the Christmas tree and proceeded to chase them around the house.
Flash fiction style
Tell us your picture story—flash fiction style—in 250 words. What was contrary to the image, or what does your picture emphatically say? You only have 11 days to submit your entry. Click on the competition link to download the entry form and get writing.
Eila
A big shout out to our local council
When my husband and I moved to the Mudgee region we did it for a tree change in preparation for our retirements. We are 30 years away from being locals, but our decision was based on well-researched factors. We had a choice of areas to move to.
We are 30 years away from being locals
My husband’s only criterion was good wine. However, I wanted somewhere that promoted the arts. Mudgee boasts a booming arts culture, and the Mid Western Regional Council are 100% behind this. And to prove my beliefs Mid Western Regional Council has again supported the Mudgee Valley Writers in promoting beginning and emerging writers with sponsorship for our competition and exhibition.
A big thank you to our local council—who would want to live anywhere else?
Eila
Mudgee Valley Writers FAW 