The purpose of the Somerset National Poetry Prize is to encourage a love of writing poetry amongst secondary school students, to affirm it as a worthwhile literary pursuit, and to stimulate excellence in writing. It also aims to inspire and enrich youth literature.

Click here to submit your entry!

As a part of the 2025 Somerset Storyfest, school-aged students are invited to participate in the Somerset National Poetry Prize sponsored by Dr Annette Allen of Tweed Banora Dental. Entries open Monday 29 July 2024, click here for Conditions of Entry. 

Entries close Friday 6 December 2024

Poetry Prize

2024 Winners
2023 Winners
2022 Winners
2021 Winners
2020 Winners

2024 Winners

2024 Junior Category Winner

UGLY beauties - Becky Silberstein, Homeschool, New South Wales

2024 Senior Category Winner

The Silence Between - Geraldine Khuu, Baulkham Hills High School, New South Wales

2023 Winners

Junior Category

Anxiety - Violet FitzSimons, Oxley College, New South Wales

Senior Category

Boyhood - Malakai Rataj - Australian Christian College, New South Wales

2022 Winners

Junior Winner
The Forgotten - Ovindee Amarasiri, Presbyterian Ladies' College, Victoria

Senior Winner
We are young only once- Laura Pannell, Hornsby Girls State High School

2021 Winners

Junior Category
Early December - Sophie Patulny, Dulwich High School of Visual Arts and Design, New South Wales

Senior Category
Beginning - Helena Hagan, Somerset College, Queensland

2020 Winners

Junior Category
Mothers as Others - Lucia Gelonesi, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, New South Wales

Senior Category
Little Somethings - Jacki Elezovich, Swan Valley Anglican Community School, Western Australia