Students across the MidCoast are once again encouraged to showcase their creative writing skills with the return of the National Water Week Junior Writing Prize.
The competition invites all primary school, high school and homeschool students in the region to enter a short story, poem or work of creative non-fiction that explores this year's National Water Week theme of 'Water connects everything'.
The competition opens on Monday 3 August and closes on Friday 25 September, with the winners to be announced on Wednesday 21 October during National Water Week.
Students can enter in the Primary School (K-6), Junior High School (7-9) or Senior High School category (10-12). EFTPOS Gift Cards will be awarded to the top three entries in each category, with a gift voucher to a local bookshop also awarded to a highly commended entry in each category.
Now in its second year, the competition returns after a strong response in 2025.
MidCoast Council's Director of Infrastructure and Engineering Services, Rob Scott, said the competition gave creatively minded students a meaningful opportunity to engage with the subject of water.
"We received more than 50 entries into the competition in its first year and we were really impressed with what we saw, not just in terms of the writing and creativity, but also with the way students explored the important role water plays in ours lives and the need to look after this essential resource," said Mr Scott.
"We're expecting an even stronger response this year and can't wait to see what the students come up with."
The competition is one of several events that MidCoast Council will be putting on for National Water Week 2026, which runs from Monday 19 October to Sunday 25 October.
To enter the competition or find out more, visit https://haveyoursay.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/water-wiser-hub
