River of Stories

2014Absolutely thrilled with the response of the students. And the standard of entries. Great to see the student winners, mums and dads, school teachers, guests and Albury Hume club members. Packing the foyer. And my heartfelt thanks to members for their assistance in making it all happen – I write of -Den Hickey, Peter Merk, Justin Clancy, Julie, Nicole Doughty, Gordon Shaw and a special thanks to Peter Lee who was my legs and taxi. The promotional support arranged by Gordon was unbelievable with T.V, media, radio hook ups and many radio messages on 2AY. In fact it all highlights what Rotary is all about teaming together to make something happen – thank you. Baz

River of Stories

Date: 20 August, 2014

The Mighty River of Stories Keeps on Flowing!

In its 12th year, the Rotary Club of Albury Hume’s River of Stories writing competition has grown into a border institution. As the sunrise in winter warms our frosty, cold winter mornings, so the River of Stories writing competition brings a warm inner glow to all those children and volunteers who have been part of its story!

Barry Young, OAM, and member of the Rotary Club of Albury Hume, initiated the first River of Stories competition back in 2003.  “There was nothing back then for our young people to showcase their writing – so we approached the Principals of some of our secondary schools with the idea for a writing competition” says Barry. And how it has grown!  In that first year, 5 schools came on board and there were 78 entries.  Last year, there were 15 schools from the border involved with over 500 entries!

“We have touched the lives of thousands of young teenagers through the River of Stories” says Barry, “They are the border youth of the future, and we as a community service club felt the need to make a difference to young people’s lives and enrich our community by encouraging them to express themselves in stories and poetry.”

Entries last year ranged across a myriad of themes and styles.  The overall winner was Sonali Kagithala from James Fallon High School, who wrote about her wonderful reunification with her family after 12 years believing she was an orphan.  Kayla Nicholas from Corryong High School drew on first hand experiences in writing about a sheep dog’s friendship with a goat kid, while Samantha McLean of Catholic College Wodonga wrote a truly gripping fantasy tale inspired by Norse mythology’s ravens Huginn and Muninn.

Barry says “Of great support are our sponsors – The Albury City Council, the Commercial Club (Albury) and Dymocks (Albury). The Albury Library Museum have, from day one, given their support which has been paramount to the success of the competition.”

President of the Rotary Club of Albury Hume, Justin Clancy, says “Rotary International has six main areas that they focus on, and one of these is improving literacy.  The River of Stories is all about literacy, and giving young people the opportunity to write for a wider audience, and gain recognition for their school and themselves.”

The competition this year is again open to students in Years 7 to 10.  There are two sections; a Short Story section, and a Poetry section.  The winner of each section will receive $200 and also $500 for their school’s library.

The winning entry from each school receives a $50 book voucher from Dymocks Bookshop in Albury.  Entries for the River of Stories close on 19 September, 2014, and there will be a presentation ceremony at the Albury Library Museum on 11 October at 12 noon. Please contact the following for further information: Gordon Shaw, Public Relations Director-Rotary Club of Albury Hume, 0417 282 584, gordonsac@bigpond.com

River of Stories

Fantastic news that the Commercial Club have once again renewed their sponsorship with a donation of $1500 – this follows on from the ongoing generous support from the Albury City Council with their grant of $1500. We are well on the way again to make the River of Stories cost free to our club … now in its 12th year.

River of Stories

What can I 2013.1say but the work and the worry was worth it again –Now in its 11th year attended by 29 winning students, parents, school teachers and principals, border mail, our sponsors Commercial Club and Dymocks, Cr Alice Glachan, Cr Patricia Gould (her 11th year of attendance) and Greg Aplin M P who never misses. Thank you to Rotarians to –Julie on one leg, Gordon Shaw, Max and Leonie Blomeley, Dennis Hickey(who never misses) Peter Lee our President and a big thanks to Ian Harrison who took every photo of the winners etc and accompanied by Margaret. Thank you all for that support including 2013.2all those sausage sizzles which go towards the prizes which I really value. We gave out 34 prizes –30 Dymock vouchers to the winners of their school prize, $200 to the winners of each section and 4 of $500 to the winning schools …the funds going to their library for the purchase of books or Hi-tech equipment.

River of Stories

River of Stories update. All is proceeding well with 13 schools thus far on board. I am at the stage of designing and producing the promotional brochures and entry forms. The competition is now in its 11th year and the Secondary schools and English Dept are eagerly awaiting it. I have received support from the Commercial Club for this year with a cheque for $1000 and from Scott Hargraves sports clinic who will fund the encouragement awards again. I now have engaged the outstanding author Phillip Gwynne who will run the students workshops. Phillip will take the students through the requirements of writing a thriller.  Learn how to maintain the energy. When does plot become character and character become plot? The importance of humour. How to create complex and believable characters. And just because it’s genre, doesn’t mean it can’t have some smarts about it.  Will keep you advised as the competition draws closer……………………………………………  Co-ordinator  Barry.