The event is for students in year 7 to 10 and in its 15^th year attracted more than 500 entries from 13 schools. 

Co-ordinator Barry Young said the initiative complemented Rotary International’s aim to end illiteracy. 

“It was decided to aim the project at secondary school students and for them to participate in workshops conducted by professional children authors,” he said.

“It’s also a celebration of regional literary talent.

“The quality of this year’s entries were excellent.”

Amelia Spinks from Albury High School, with Lara Diffey from Scots School, won the year 7/8 category for short story.

Ameila’s The Lightbulb Moment was inspired by a science fiction book of her father’s.

“There were these two people and they went back in time and accidentally started the invention of the lightbulb,” she said.

“In a bit of a fluke, they gave a guy a lightbulb and at the end you find out he’s Thomas Edison.

“Writing is kind of a hobby, I entered this last year and I’ve taken part in Write around the Murray.

“I’m very excited to win.”

The winner in the year 9/10 category was Victory Lutheran’s Tessa Quinlan, who became a published author at just 12 with Grandma Wins.

Twenty young writers were recognised in total, and Brad Coulston of Wodonga Middle Years College was one of two young men among the recipients.

The 1400-word Life Story of Xavier, finished in a day, was responding to an assignment at school and drew themes from video-gaming, another of Brad’s hobbies.

“Xavier is not human; he’s a different being and was the first to ever exist and makes the universe with his brother Rubick,” he said.

“When I don’t feel like doing anything else I just write; it’s time for me to be quiet and get away from everyone.”