The creative talent of Campbelltown writers were recognised when the winners of this year's Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize were announced on Saturday.
The competition drew a record number of more than 150 entrants who were asked to provide a short story, essay, memoir or poetry piece responding to the 2025 theme, 'Down the Road'.
"This year marked the fifth running of the Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize and it was the second successive year that a record number of people have decided to show off their talents by entering the Prize," Mayor of Campbelltown Cr Darcy Lound said.
"It was wonderful to see so many wonderful entries from across many different age groups. The quality of works seems to reach new heights every year and the competition is a great example of our commitment to fostering education in Campbelltown," Cr Lound said.
"I would like to congratulate this year's winners and acknowledge the talents of all entrants who took the time to enter."
The 2025 winners included:
- Adult short story/creative non-fiction: Grace Chareas, A view of the road
- Adult poetry: Hemat Malak, On roads, thighs and playgrounds
- Grades 10-12 short story/creative non-fiction: Menaal Idress, A dead man's sorrows
- Grades 10-12 poetry: Zoe Bonifacio, Eden
- Grades 7-9 short story/creative non-fiction: Zara Taleb, The boy down the road
- Grades 7-9 poetry: Julie Kettler, I remember, it was down the road
- Grades 4-6 short story/creative non-fiction: Isabella Nguyen-Gibbons, Poppy amongst the rubble
- Grades 4-6 poetry: Aleeyah Jamus, I walked too late
The Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize was managed and judged by WestWords and Campbelltown City Library staff members.
All of the winning works have been published in '2025 Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize – Down the Road', which will be available for loan from all Campbelltown Library branches.
