2022 Winners Announced
Through the RD Walshe Memorial Writing for the Environment Prize, SSEC continues to value the role and place of writing in helping to shape a sustainable world.
The theme for the 2022 Writing Award was Peace and Sustainability. Destructive conflict at some level is, sadly, inevitable. But without some level of peace and security, it is fanciful to think of building a world worth living in.
Conflict – whether large scale wars or struggles within borders – kills efforts to repair, protect or maintain the quality of the local environment. Thoughts and actions that might have once focused on social justice, humanitarian support, environmental protection are squashed, are put to the side, are relegated last in priority. Victory is the prevailing goal and value. Perhaps to be more accurate, victory-at-all-costs controls mind, money and manpower in too many places around the world.
The 2022 competition attracted more than 120 entries across the three age categories. All States and Territories in Australia were represented! Writers threw their best ideas and writing skills at the topic. Some looked at conflict at national and global levels, while others looked at more personal and internal kinds of conflict. All drew the link between peace and possibilities for a sustainable world. Many of the pieces were moving. The winning entries moved the minds and hearts of the judges.
It is a tough job determining the best submissions. Some of our judges have been doing this for a few years. Thank you all. Thanks Alex, Lily, Dave, Sally, Ricki, Barbara, Syd, Verity, Laura.
Up to and including 18 year old writers
This year, we have decided to have joint winners rather than winner and runner-up.
Joint Winners
Lucinda Carr of Melbourne, Victoria – She feels
Emma Guthrie of Prahran, Victoria – Steel and Sunflowers
The Pat Strong Award, from the Sutherland Shire Writers Group for young and inspiring writers:
Lucy Tinapple of Milner, Northern Territory – Giant
For the 19-25 year old writers
Winner: Naomi Davidson of North Hobart, Tasmania – Alone
Runners-up:
Rosie Watts of Thornbury, Victoria – Mycelium
Grace Anderson of St Kilda, Victoria – How to create a sustainable future in the Absence of Stability
For the over 65 year old writers
Winner: June Hopkins – The Microcosm
Runner-up: Mary-Jane Gibson of Lismore, New South Wales – The Day the War Began
