The Young Territory Author Awards is an annual writing competition where entrants write and produce their own book. It is organised in association with other public libraries and schools throughout the Northern Territory. The competition is in its 32nd year of production and showcases the incredible imagination and creativity of young people in the community, providing them with an opportunity to develop their writing skills and have their work nationally recognised.
The 2022 Young Territory Author Award Winners are...
Young Territory Author of the Year
Freya Galati for June Girls
Judges comment: “A beautifully written story of three characters and their intertwining lives. The prose is concise yet descriptive, and every character has a distinct voice. Judges loved how the characters were slowly revealed through their perceptions of themselves and one another. Very impressive and mature writing with memorable phrases and engaging storyline”
School Award Winners
Nightcliff Middle School – Year 7-9 Humanities for Their Past, Our Future
Judges comment: “An interesting exploration of what we can interpret from the historical record. The authors demonstrated an awareness of possible bias when drawing conclusions from primary and secondary sources. Some of the authors used their imaginations to fill in blanks, while others chose to stick to the facts, they had access to. Overall, an interesting account of a seemingly overlooked area of local history”
The NT Children’s Book Council of Australia Wow Award
Zara Pease for The Diggerbees
Judges comment: “A local picture book with gorgeous illustrations. The relationship between the illustrations and the text on each page was effective and helped enhance the story. The plot was well paced, and the use of age appropriate literacy and numeracy elements to support various sections was a great idea. Nature is a wonderful treasure, and this picture book has become a new favourite!"
Regional Winners
Darwin – Angeliki Galanopoulou for Wilting Roses
Alice Springs – Tryphena Phillis for The Wicked Folly
Katherine – Liam Tootell for The Magic Whale
Litchfield - Samantha McLinden for A Tree and Two Twins
Palmerston - Charlotte Thielemans for The Girl and the Foxes
East Arnhem - Zoe Pettiford for A Whale’s Best Friend
8 years and under
Winner – Liora Devlin-Aylott for Secret Told
Highly Commended – Haris Willem Syed for The Love Tree
Encouragement Award – Ee Lyn Teh for The Fairy and the Rabbit
9-12 years
Winner – Ruby Hughes for My Generation of War
Highly Commended – Philippa Wren for Chubby Budgie
Encouragement Award – Amy Devlin-Aylott for Just Sing
13-15 years
Winner – Olivia Wall for The Young Divine
Highly Commended – Tiah Lawler for The Ghosting Hour
Encouragement Award – Lilly Downs and Maili Ansell for Crown of Cards
16-18 years
Winner – Journey Kelly for Purple Columbine
Highly Commended – Jules Gabor for Everything and More
Encouragement Award – Chrisma Samson for A Thirst for Change
All entries in the 2022 Young Territory Author Awards will be on display at Casuarina Library and available to borrow.
Congratulations to all our winners and to all of our amazing authors who entered this year's Awards.
Megan Jacobson - 1992 Young Territory Author winner
Sasha Beekman - Young Territory Author Awards -16 to 18 Age Category winner 2012 & 2013
- Prizes
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There are lots of prizes up for grabs.
Young Territory Author of the year - $500
School Entry Winner - $500 (for the school)
CBCA NT Wow Award - $200
Regional Area Winners - $50
Age Category Winners - $50 voucher to the Bookshop Darwin
Highly Commended - $30 voucher to the Bookshop Darwin
Encouragement Awards - $20 voucher to the Bookshop DarwinEntries are considered in all categories they are eligible for. The categories include:
- 8 years and under - all individual entries in this age bracket are eligible
- 9-12 years - all individual entries in this age bracket are eligible
- 13-15 years - all individual entries in this age bracket are eligible
- 16-18 years - all individual entries in this age bracket are eligible
- Regional areas - all entries received (school and individual) in each NT region are eligible
- School Entries - all entries received from schools are eligible
- Young Territory Author of the year - all individual entries are eligible
- Writer's Toolbox
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Have a look through the Writer Toolbox - a page filled with resources to help you write your story.
- Information for Teachers
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If you are preparing a class entry, please use this permission template to notify your student's parents, and gain the necessary permissions.
- Information for Public Libraries
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Find marketing resources here.
- Past Winners
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Previous Young Territory Authors of the Year
2021 Rowan McGrath
2020 Rachel De Kock
2019 Jethro Pollock
2018 Tiger-Lily Clements
2017 Jessica Phelan
2016 Alice Cotter
2015 Sascha Duffy
2014 Irini Melas
2013 Yasna Delo
2012 Shayla Moses
2011 Ella Hardiman & Tjina Stoll
2010 Isabella Hope Tester
2009 Timothy Hansen
2008 Rosanna Cameron
2007 Sophie Philip
2006 Dean Holzwart
2005 Karina Brabham
2004 Lauren Crabbe
2003 Erin Pearce
2002 Amanda Deacon and Penny Cameron
2001 Penny Cameron
2000 Guy Spielman
1999 Jessica Rose
1998 Melanie Robinson
1997 Karen Bryce
1996 David Palmer
1995 Yvonne Medel
1994 Aaron Tucker
1993 Aaron Tucker
1992 Megan Jacobson
1991 Arvin Roach
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