and wake by the moon,

breathing the pulse of the centre

through a rock,

a white stone,

the red dust,

as creator and clay;

as conductor

between heaven and red lava

is my red earth dreaming.

And you are there

beside my dream

where I lay awake

with upturned palms

waiting for the trembling flow

quivering over night's glow.

And you are there.

by Bob Campbell

Winners of MVW Local Competition Sponsored by Mid Western Council

Poetry: 1st Ross Kurtz Lady in Chalk, 2nd Ross Kurtz Dad's Violin and 3rd Thora Linquist The City Lad.

Highly Commended: Leonie O'Brien The Man, Ross Kurtz Nine White Choughs

Commended: Leonie O'Brien Locals, Jessica Hislop Mr Johnson's Harvest

Story: 1st Joyce Purtle The Baker-Cupitt Saga, 2nd Esther Palombini Soldier's Five and 3rd Beryl Haley A Stranger in our Midst.

Highly Commended: Beryl Haley Hat Trick, Mary Vickers Home Alone.

Commended: Beryl Haley Dream On, Esther Palombini The Pit.