"Announcing 'Girl Scribes!' - The Governor's Creative Writing Competition"

Her Excellency, the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland serves as the patron of Girl Guides Queensland and is a staunch advocate for literacy, takes immense pride in introducing 'Girl Scribes 2023' - The Governor's Creative Writing Competition. This competition is open to all Youth Guide members, offering them the opportunity to showcase their creative talents by submitting an original poem or a short story that resonates with the theme chosen by Her Excellency, 'Under the Queensland Sun.' It not only encourages youth members to reflect on their involvement within the guiding community but also prompts them to contemplate their broader life experiences over the past year within Her Excellency's theme.

Participation Cost:

To enter this thrilling competition, there is a nominal fee of $5.00, which will be donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Since 2011, this foundation has collaborated with over 400 remote communities, providing 636,000 books, supporting 83 playgroups with early literacy Book Buzz resources, and publishing 143 books in 26 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island languages.

Judging Process:
The judging of this annual competition will be overseen by Her Excellency herself. Winners in each category and age group (outlined below) will be awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals.

Age Categories:

Ages 5 - 9
- Poem
- Prose - Short Story (Maximum 500 words)

Age 10 – 13
- Poem
- Prose - Short Story (Maximum 750 words)

Age 14 - 18
- Poem
- Prose – Short Story (Maximum 1,000 words)

Age 18 - 30
- Poem
- Prose – Short Story (Maximum 1,000 words)

Selection Criteria:

Entries will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Expression of the theme
- Incorporation of the principles of guiding
- Creativity and originality
- Use of language and grammar
- Structure and cohesiveness

Closing date:

The deadline for entries is Monday, January 29, 2024, and the winners will be announced by Her Excellency on World Thinking Day, Tuesday, February 22, 2024. 

HOW TO ENTER:

Before you Register follow these steps:

1. Decide on your category and write your submission. 

2. Return to this registration page to register by clicking on 

4. At the bottom of this page click on  

5. Once Checkout (Shopping Cart) enter your payment details and Submit Order.

6. Look for the email confirmation in your inbox which provides the online Submission Form link to formally enter the competition and upload your work.

Important: When completing the online Submission form please ensure all required fields are completed and don't forget to upload your work in Question 6 of the form.

Conditions of Entry

1. Guide’s must register for the competition via ‘What's on’ on the Guides QLD website and pay the registration fee of $5 to participate. Profits will be donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
2.  Winners will be announced at a state engagement in February 2024
3.  No late entries will be accepted 
4.  All sections are open to Youth Members of Girl Guides Queensland.
5.  There is a limit of one entry per category per Guide. 
6.  Each entry must be the Guide’s original work. 
7.  Each Guide’s work needs to address in some way the theme of Under the Queensland Sun!
8.  Guides are asked to keep a copy of their work as entries will not be returned. 
9.  Girl Guides Queensland retains the right to publish the prize-winning entries. Copyright remains with the author. 
10.  Each entry in the prose section should be accompanied by a word count to appear on both the work itself and the entry form. 
11.  Each entry must be typed document and submitting online via the Submission Form link supplied in the confirmation email. Please ensure that each entry is carefully proofread before it is submitted. 
12.  Each Guide is encouraged to keep a working journal, including drafts, which may need to be submitted for verification of authorship.
13. Winning entries will be published in Queensland on the Go.

On behalf of Her Excellency we are very much looking forward to receiving your wonderful creative works and wish you the best of luck!