Elwood Poetry Prize

Elwood Poetry Prize 2011

The Garden

The second annual Elwood Poetry Prize attracted the talents of local poets of all ages, drawing over twice as many entries as the inaugural year including over 200 from students. The EcoCentre organises this popular competition in collaboration with Cr Jane Touzeau. Judges included lauded Elwood poet Hugh Tolhurst and local artist Pam O'Neil.

Watch the EcoCentre noticeboard to read some of the winning poems.

Student awards were presented at the Sustainable School Awards & Harvest Festival. Mother of winner Mac Hocking, from St Columba's Primary School in Elwood, said, "Mac's sisters were very impressed to learn he is an award-winning poet!"

Well done, student winners:

Best primary - My Magical Garden, Mac Hocking, St Columba's
Best secondary - The Cat's Kingdom, Carla Absalom
Best group - St Kilda Primary School 2AK
Haiku - Encouragement award -Michele Pescatore, St Columba's
Limerick - Encouragement award - Tom Mann, Elwood PS
Expression of an environmental issue - Encouragement award - Grace Hyslop, Elwood PS

Community prizes were announced at an afternoon poetry reading and light tea at the EcoCentre on 17 September. Congratulations to the following poets, and of course a warm thank you to all who entered!

Best Haiku - Manwel Cassar
Best limerick - Brenda Richards
Best illustrated  - Robyn Holmlund
Best Poem - Allan Lake
Most Touching expression of an environmental issue - Allan Lake

April from the  EcoCentre with Best Limerick winner Brenda Richards in the garden.