The annual Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards are now accepting entries! To encourage students from across the college to be involved, the Library Services faculty will support any student wanting to enter the competition by submitting entries on behalf of students and covering the entry cost.

Conditions of Entry:

• Students in Prep to Year 12 are eligible to enter.
• Poems must be no more than 80 lines (2,000 characters) with no illustrations, graphics or decorations included.
• Poets are encouraged to take inspiration from wherever they may find it; however, if they are looking for some direction, they are invited to use this year’s optional theme to inspire their entries. The optional theme for 2026 is “The Traveller”.
• Poems that have been previously entered into the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards are NOT ELIGIBLE to be entered.
• Poems entered in other competitions are eligible to be entered.
• Entries are limited to up to three poems per student.
• Poems must be the student’s own work (any excerpts from or rewording of another poem must be appropriately referenced). Poems deemed to be works of plagiarism or created with the assistance of Artificial intelligence (AI) will be disqualified. Note that all poems are checked for plagiarism and AI prior to judging.

How to Enter:

• Work on perfecting your entry/s during Term 2.
• When ready, please email your typed-up poem/s to librarystaff@abpat.qld.edu.aubefore Friday 19 June 2026 (last day of Term 2).
• Your work will be entered into the competition, with winners being announced on Friday 4 September.
• For more information, please visit dorothea.com.au or speak with Library staff.

Flyer for 2026 Dorothea Mackellar Competition

Enjoy!

Kelly Whiteway
Head of Library Services