Mother Blue

I stand on the shore, the waves reaching for my toes
I long to return home, and that the sea knows
Many will dream of a white picket fence and gate
For me, that dream is about the blue water, vast and great

The breaking and crashing of the waves produce a relaxing sound
A sound that reassures me that my inner peace will be found
As time progresses we do not realise we are damaging the beauty
Humans have forgotten that protection of the ocean is part of our duty

Many fear her as there is much that humans are yet to explore
Hence why the ocean is a source of many tales in folklore
One bothersome question tugs at my mind
Why is the sea as treacherous as she is kind

Many believe that the sea is dangerous as many have been lost
Little do they know that Mother Blue’s beauty comes with a cost
I don’t find Mother Blue as scary as the others seem to
This is because I know that Mother Blue cares about me too

Johanna Green

Year 10

Entries for the annual Mayor's Writing Competition are now open

The annual Mayor’s Writing Competition aims to encourage young people who live or go to school in Eurobodalla to get writing.

Each year, young authors between the ages of five and 18 are invited to submit an original work. Entrants can submit a short story, essay, poem, or any style of creative writing as long as the writing adheres to word limits set out in the terms and conditions.

Each year we receive a flood of entries in the form of short stories, poems and essays. To select the prize-winning entries from hundreds of submissions, the judges award the most imaginative and unique plots.

2022 theme: Magic

This year a theme has been selected to provide some extra inspiration. Chosen by Mayor Matthew Hatcher, the word 'magic' needs to be incorporated somewhere in your story.

Mayor’s Writing Competition Workshops

Cost: Free

Keen to enter the upcoming Mayor’s Writing Competition? Eurobodalla Libraries are providing a free two-hour writing workshop to help young people develop their ideas into stories.

Entries for the Mayor’s Writing Competition close on Friday 1 July. This workshop, for ages 8 and up, will help young people turn their great ideas into wonderful stories to submit for the competition.

Participants should come armed with their story ideas or drafts. In the workshop, they'll learn: 

• how to turn their ideas into words on a page
• tips and tricks on how to structure writing
• how to make a good story into a great story (that stands out from the crowd)

Budding writers will have the chance to develop their stories and to workshop their ideas as a group. This workshop is ideal for late primary and early high school aged young people.

 Enter now

• Entries are open now, closing on Friday 1 July 2022 at 5pm.
• You can submit your entry online or in person.
• Your entry must be accompanied by a signed parent/guardian consent form (available on this page).

Eurobodalla Mayor Matthew Hatcher will announce the winners on Monday 12 September 2022 at a presentation for finalists.

To find out more information or how to enter on the Mayor's Writing Competition page.