Write It Out: Greater Dandenong Short Story Competition

Summary

The Write it Out: Greater Dandenong Short Story Competition is a creative writing competition for young people aged 12–25 years who have a connection to Greater Dandenong. Participants are invited to submit a 500 to 1000 word original story, inspired by one of the competition prompts, thoughtfully integrating aspects of Greater Dandenong.

All submitted works will be reviewed and scored using formal assessment criteria by a panel of judges. Winning stories will be published in a publicly accessible digital book, celebrating the creativity and diversity of young people in Greater Dandenong.

Age Categories

 The competition features 3 age brackets: 

• 12 – 14 years
• 15 – 18 years
• 19 – 25 years

Prizes are awarded to participants who place first, second or third in each age group. 

Prompts 

Entrants must choose one of the following prompts for their short story:

• Home Away from Home
• A City of Many Colours
• A Whole New World
• Looking Forward to the Future 

Eligibility Requirements 

• The competition is open to all young people aged 12 - 25 years who have a significant connection to Greater Dandenong (e.g. live, work or study in the area).
• Short stories must be 500 - 1000 words (excluding headings).
• Entrants must use their own identity when submitting their work.
• All work must be written in English.
• AI‑generated or AI‑assisted entries (including content created using tools such as ChatGPT or similar programs) will not be accepted.
• For full details, read the Terms and Conditions.

Assessment Criteria

The story writing competition will be judged using the following criteria: 

• Prompt Integration and Meaningful Profiling of the Greater Dandenong area
• Creativity and Originality
• Plot, Structure and Other Story Elements
• Emotional Impact and Reader Engagement 

Judging

• A panel chosen by Youth and Family Services will judge the entries
• All decisions are final
• There is no opportunity for review by entrants

Key Dates

• Competition Closes: Friday,17 July at 11.59pm
• Winners Notified: Late August 2026

Summary

The Write It Out: Greater Dandenong Illustration Competition is an optional design competition available exclusively to young people who have entered the Short Story Competition. All designs will be assessed by a panel of judges using formal assessment criteria.

Please note: You cannot enter the Illustration Competition on its own. You must have a valid entry and submission into the writing competition. 

Age Category

 The illustration competition features one age category: 

• 12 to 25 years 

A prize is awarded to the first-place winner.

Prompts 

All entrants in the illustration competition must choose one prompt from the list provided: 

1. Home Away from Home
2. A City of Many Colours
3. A Whole New World
4. Looking Forward to the Future 

Please note: Chosen prompt can be the same or different to the writing competition.

Eligibility and Requirements 

• The competition is open to all young people aged 12 - 25 years who have a significant connection to Greater Dandenong (e.g. live, work or study in the area).
• All entrants must have a valid short story submission.
• Produced work must be in A4 size.
• Entrants must use their own identity when submitting their work.
• Illustrations can be produced using any artistic medium; however, all works must be submitted digitally.
• AI‑generated or AI‑assisted entries (including the use of tools such as ChatGPT or similar programs) will not be accepted.
• For full details, read the Terms and Conditions.

Assessment Criteria

Illustrations will be judged on the following criteria: 

• Interpretation of the Prompt and Meaningful Integration of the Greater Dandenong Area
• Creativity and Originality
• Viewer Engagement

Judging

• A panel chosen by Youth and Family Services will judge the entries
• All decisions are final
• There is no opportunity for review by entrants

Key Dates

• Competition Closes: Friday 17 July at 11.59pm
• Winner Notified: Late August 2026

Short Story Competition 

• 1st place: Kindle E-Reader
• 2nd place: Passes to the Emerging Writers Festival
• 3rd place: Book pack from Readings 

Illustration Competition 

• 1st place: $200 arts and craft voucher 

You may choose to use the following resources to help you start your short story and illustration. Using these resources is entirely optional.

Short Story Competition 

• 100 Story Building – Free creative writing activities for young people
  • Great for story ideas, overcoming writer’s block and fun guided writing tasks.
• State Library Victoria – Resources for new & emerging writers
  • Includes tips, places to publish, competitions and writing guides.
• Book Links – Young Writers & Illustrators resources
  • A mix of writing courses, video tutorials, tips and prompts.
• State Library Queensland - Advice on starting your short story
  • Discusses techniques and advice on starting your story.
• Ted Ed – Descriptive writing video
  • Advice on writing descriptively.  
• Writers Victoria - Writing Workouts
  • Short exercises to get your writing flowing.

Illustration Competition 

• National Gallery of Australia (NGA) – Creative resources for young people

  • Artmaking workshops, creative labs and youth opportunities.

• National Gallery of Australia (NGA) – Learning Resources

  • Activities, videos and guides linked to Australian and global artists. 

• National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) – Visual Arts Learning Resources

  • Guides, artist profiles and practical how‑to resources for young creators.

• Queensland Art Gallery: Gallery of Modern Arts (QAGOMA) – Education Resources

  • Art activities, First Nations resources and artist‑focused learning tools.

Submissions are not open.

The submission portal will open Wednesday 8 April. 

Can I just enter the illustration competition? 

• No. The Illustration Competition is only open to participants who have submitted a valid entry into the Short Story Competition.

Can I just enter the writing competition? 

• Yes. You may register for the Short Story Competition without entering the Illustration Competition.

How will I know if I have been shortlisted? 

• You will be notified in late August. Please ensure your contact details are entered correctly when you submit your work.

How do I submit my work? 

• All entrants in both competitions will submit their work digitally through the online submission portal which will be open Wednesday 8 April. 

Can I submit my work after the Friday 17 July deadline?

• No. All works must be submitted before the specified deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted. 

I have accessibility needs. Can I still enter the competition? 

• If you have accessibility needs and require support to enter the competition, please contact us via email: youthservices@cgd.vic.gov.au.

Am I able to request a review after the winners have been chosen? 

• No. All judges' decisions are final. 

Am I able to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) services to generate my work? 

• No. All submitted work must be original to the author/designer. If judges detect AI has been used to generate to work, the submission will be considered automatically invalid. Your work may be entered into an AI detection service for verification purposes. 

Will there be workshops offered during the competition? 

• Yes. Creative writing workshops will be available during the Youth and Family Services April and July School Holiday Programs. Check the link here to find out more.