Making students ready to write

Pens were at the ready for this year’s Young Writers Day where 180 promising school students flocked to Western Sydney University’s Campbelltown Campus to hone their writing skills.

The annual event provided the opportunity for students to learn from prominent writers in different creative fields. This year, there was a definite buzz in the lecture theatre as students waited to hear from emerging young writer and Western Sydney University graduate Winnie Dunn, who delivered the keynote address “Eshyaz – Writing Western Sydney Literature”.  In her speech, Winnie encouraged students to write from their own experience and about places they knew, as well as highlighting the importance of breaking down cultural stereotypes.

She is a manager and editor at Sweatshop— a literacy movement based at Western Sydney University’s Writing and Society Research Centre.  Her work has been published in journals, anthologies and on literary websites.

During the course of the day, Year 10 and 11 students collaborated with like-minded peers from other schools within Western Sydney and participated in a choice of 18 workshops featuring practical exercises on topics such as journalism, creative writing and slam poetry, all run by published authors. A workshop for accompanying teachers was run in the afternoon by award-winning young people’s author Deborah Abela.

Anne McLean, Manager, Schools Engagement says the day was much anticipated by young and budding writers.

"This event recognises the wealth of writing talent in Western Sydney. Amongst these students are likely to be acclaimed and influential authors as well as those whose writing skills will greatly advance their careers,” she says.

“The workshops gave students new ideas and insights, and built their confidence.”

ENDS.

25 September 2017

Jessica Cortis, Media Unit

Workshop presenters

• Dr Michael Mohammed Ahmad
• Dr Richard James Allen
• Barbara Alysen
• Eunice Andrada
• Lilly Blue
• Dr Luke Carman
• Dr Felicity Castagna
• Tamar Chnorhokian
• Eileen Chong
• Dr Bernard Cohen
• Margo Daly
• Winnie Dunn
• Lynn Garlick
• L-Fresh the Lion
• Dr Rachel Morley
• Stephen Pham
• Murray Robertson
• Dr Anna Westbrook

Participating schools

• Ambarvale High School
• Camden High School
• Campbelltown Performing Arts High School
• Caroline Caroline College
• Casula High School
• De La Salle College, Revesby Heights
• Holsworthy High School
• John Therry Catholic High School, Rosemeadow
• Leumeah High School
• Macarthur Anglican School, Cobbitty
• Moorebank High School
• Moss Vale High School
• Mount Annan High School
• Penrith Anglican College
• Richard Johnson Anglican School, Oakhurst
• Rouse Hill Anglican College
• Sarah Redfern High School
• St Gregory’s College, Gregory Hills
• St Patrick’s College, Campbelltown
• St Paul’s Grammar School, Cranebrook