Refugee Week Writing Competition
Illawarra Multicultural Services (IMS) Refugee Week Writing Competition 2021 “Unity, the way forward” was held in collaboration with the South Coast Writers Centre (that’s us!) and the Red Cross. The event was a success, with 82 entries received from Public and High Schools as well as Private Schools, training organisations, TAFE, Colleges, and independent writers.
We’d like to acknowledge all participants for their entries, and give a special thank you to the workshop facilitators for their dedicated work in helping many students participate in the Refugee Week Writing competition 2021.
Competition Winners:
Children Poem: Leila Miellet from Wollongong Public School
Children Essay/Short-Story: Tobi Ogunniya from St Therese Catholic Parish Primary School West Wollongong
Teen Poem: Rahaf AlJasry from Keira High School
Teen Essay/Short-Story: Doha Jeniat from Keira High School
Adult Poem: Kanjana Eiamsaen from MAX Solutions in Shellharbour
Adult Essay/Short-Story: Shahira Mohseni (independent)
There were also notable entries who were awarded a special prize:
Lawin Hama Ali and Sudair Abu Qasim from Keiraville Public School.
Vy Nguyen and Tony Ku from Warrawong Intensive English Centre.
Mohsen Nekoozad from MAX Solutions in Wollongong & Waad Yousif from TAFE Illawarra.
There were many beautiful and diverse entries of poem, essay and short story - here is just a taste:
“Our destination was finally reached, and our teeth became visible. The laughter and happy cries took over the distant gun shooting. We were alive again.”
“I want to remind us that refugees are ordinary people like you and me, who have lost their family members, loved ones, homes, and sometimes everything. They have come here to start over.”