Jacqueline’s piece “Dresses of Light” won the prize amongst many entries submitted from all over Australia across two categories, and was announced along with the competition winners as part of the 2018 Eaglehawk Dahlia Festival on March 14.

The judge’s comments on Jacqueline’s piece included “This is a unique piece that gently summons the magic and beauty of Central Australia in all its colours. Full of lyrical descriptions and lines that have imprinted on me… the author’s seemingly intimate knowledge of the subject gave it a quiet strength.”

On hearing of her award, Jacqueline said, “I am thrilled to be chosen amongst other Australian amateur writers for this award”.

“My writing has been inspired by the rich local landscapes and people of central west NSW, as well as my solo hiking trips in the Central Australian Desert,” she said.

“The Mulga Bill National Writing Awards encourage young Australian writers of poetry and fiction to share their creativity as part of the Eaglehawk Dahlia Festival. I’d like to thank the festival team and the national award coordinator Lauren Mitchell for creating such an esteemed competition.”

First prize was awarded for the humorous story “The Tale of Herman Lockwood” by Paul Clarke. The winner of the poetry competition was awarded to Mocco Wollert for “Fairies At The Bottom of My Garden,” with 2nd place in poetry awarded to Andrea Wilk for “There is a Science.”

The winning entries are available to read at www.mulgabillwritingaward.wordpress.com/read-the-winning-entries.