Townsville student takes top prize in QLD Literary Competition
Independent Education Union - Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT)
A local Townsville student was honoured with an award last night at the Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) and English Teachers’ Association of Queensland’s (ETAQ) annual Literary Competition presentation.
Alfred Dowd, from St Joseph’s School in North Ward, won first place for the Years 5 and 6 short story category with his submission, “The Space Between.”
Debbie Owens and Marg Fahey, who reviewed the entries, said the winning entry utilises storytelling and language conventions with care, imagination and skill.
“The writer amplifies the feeling of disorientation and dislocation through the clever and perceptive selection of descriptive detail which establish a clear and engaging authorial voice,” Owens and Fahey said.
“What seemed like a fantasy narrative was skilfully and cleverly returned to the mundane in the resolution with a plausible reconnection with the familiar before concluding with an intriguing final sentence that returns the reader to the opening intrigue,” they said.
IEU-QNT Assistant Secretary Nicole Kapernick said over 1300 submissions of poetry, short stories and non-fiction prose were entered into this year’s Competition, with all schools providing a high quality of entries for reviewing.
“Now in its 67th year, the Literary Competition remains the oldest continuing writing competition in Queensland and is open to students and staff in both state and non-government schools,” Ms Kapernick said.
During last night's presentation evening, held at the Queensland Multicultural Centre, award recipients were presented with certificates and book prizes generously donated by event sponsor Penguin Random House Australia, before first prize recipients read their winning pieces to the audience.
Attendees were also treated to an engaging lecture by guest speaker Sita Walker, a Courier-Mail People’s Choice Award winning memoirist, who shared insights and highlights from her career.
Ms Kapernick said the Literary Competition was an excellent opportunity for students to hone their writing skills and creativity.
“Our antecedent union established the competition to encourage literary development and freedom of expression in young people,” Ms Kapernick said.
“The Literary Competition reviewers were impressed with the exceptional talent on display this year, with a diverse range of entries submitted from across the state.
“I congratulate those outstanding writers who were awarded prizes and thank all the recipients who entered the 2026 Literary Competition,” she said.
See the attached list of 2026 Literary Competition recipients.
ENDS
List of Literary Competition first place category recipients for 2026
Open
· Short story: Eamon Webb, Mount Alvernia College, Kedron
Years 11 and 12
· Short story: Lachlan Horton, All Saints Anglican School, Merrimac
· Poem: Kae Cos, Stretton State College, Stretton
· Non-fiction prose: Chanyoung Jeong, Cavendish Road State High School, Holland Park
Years 9 and 10
· Short story: Robin Bhullar, John Paul College, Daisy Hill
· Poem: Sophia Campbell, Indooroopilly State High School, Indooroopilly
Years 7 and 8
· Short story: Harper Clarke, Citipointe Christian College, Carindale
· Poem: Annabelle Frankel, Brisbane South State Secondary College, Dutton Park
Years 5 and 6
· Short story: Alfred Dowd, St Joseph’s School, North Ward
· Poem: Carlotta Casseus, The Lakes College, North Lakes
About us:
The Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory (IEU-QNT) represents more than 17,000 teachers, school support staff, principals and early childhood education employees across Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Contact details:
Contact: Emily Campbell, IEU-QNT Communications Officer: [email protected] / 0400 746 175
