Meet our Judge!

Gabrielle Wang is fourth-generation Chinese Australian. Her great-grandfather came from China during the Gold Rush. At school Gabrielle’s best subject was art so she became a graphic designer. Then, one night many years later, she had a strange dream. When she woke up she knew she wanted to be a writer. Since then she has written many award-winning books for young people, including The Garden of Empress Cassia, The Pearl of Tiger Bay, The Hidden Monastery, The Lion Drummer and A Ghost in My Suitcase. She also likes visiting schools to talk about her books, drawing, horse riding, travelling and watching movies. Her favourite movie is Spirited Away. The book she loved most as a child was The Faraway Tree. Gabrielle lives in Melbourne with her husband, two children, a golden cocker spaniel and a cockatiel. Visit: www.gabriellewang.com.

Judge’s Report

What I loved about the stories, poems and essays submitted by this year’s YAWA finalists was the amazing variety! I felt joy, I laughed, I cried, I trembled with fear. From tales of fantasy, science fiction, thrillers and adventure to lyrical poems and essays dealing with issues that concern us all. They told of friendship, love, courage, beauty, hope and much, much more. It’s exciting to think that there are so many talented young writers out there.

To everyone who entered, one thing you all have in common is your passion for writing and your need to share your stories with others. Storytelling is an ancient art as old as time itself. Stories connect people. Stories are important. Congratulations on being part of this treasured tradition!

Gabrielle Wang

Challenge 2010 Winners

Beating Hooves   
Liam Baker   
Anglican Church Grammar School, East Brisbane QLD

Taken by Technology   
Saskia Davey   
Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, Niddrie VIC

Splash!   
Christina Gavriliouk   
St David’s Parish School, Tea Tree Gully SA

The Boy He Was and the Man He Will Be
Jessica Lawrence   
Haileybury College, East Brighton VIC

Storm in a Teacup   
Alex McHugh   
St Andrew’s College, Christchurch, New Zealand

I See A Musician   
Elizabeth Waldron   
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, Newtown NSW

Omega Point   
Alexander Whittle   
Anglican Church Grammar School, East Brisbane QLD

The End   
Felix Wong   
Australian International School, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Highly Commended

Look   
Tyla Botes   
Avalon Public School, Avalon NSW

Zarku   
Helena Fabian   
St Catherine Laboure Primary School, Gymea NSW

The Wind   
Zobia Khan   
Sule College, Prestons NSW

The Creature   
Elizabeth Watkins   
Trinity College Gawler River, Angle Vale SA

The Many Adventures of Tarantula Man
Cameron Yang   
Anglican Church Grammar School, East Brisbane QLD

Explore 2010 Winners

Panda   
Theresa Hu   
Fendalton Open Air School, Christchurch, New Zealand

Never Say Pigs Can’t Fly   
Isabelle Jefferies   
St Benedict’s Primary School, Applecross WA

BFF   
Phoebe Kinrade   
Flemington Primary School, Flemington VIC

Caged Chickens, No Way!   
Rhian McDonald   
St Leo the Great Primary School, Altona North VIC

Shellong Airex   
James Muir   
Kosciuszko Street Primary School, Traralgon VIC

The Wizard’s Children   
Mia Mylonas   
St Mary’s Primary School, Rydalmere NSW

The Storm   
Jeremy Penrose   
Christ’s College, Christchurch, New Zealand


The Bookworm Ghost   
Genevieve Somerville   
Kennington Primary School, Strathdale VIC

Highly Commended

Autumn   
Melissa Guglielmino   
St Jude the Apostle School, Scoresby VIC

Mountain   
Stephanie Lester   
Ilam School, Ilam, New Zealand

My Secret World   
Chika Sunarto   
Newcomb Park Primary School, Newcomb VIC

Water Song   
Year 3/4   
Inverloch Primary School, Inverloch VIC

Comet 2010 Winners

Shadows
by Nathalie Leong
St Ives North Public School, St Ives, NSW

The Lost and Found
by Liam O’Sullivan
Emmaus Catholic Primary School, Sydenham, Vic

The Cat and the Mouse
by Anthony Jones
Broadford Primary School, Broadford, Vic

Zac and the Monster
by Jonny Haylock
Puhini School, Manukau City, New Zealand

Dreams
by Rebecca Wyss
Mentone Girls Grammar, Mentone, Vic

Baby’s New World
by Aidan Luu
Sule College, Prestons, NSW

The Frosty Ice Wonder
by Lachlan Turner
Ilam School, Christchurch, New Zealand

Highly Commended

Life
by Heidi Strong
Abbostleigh Junior School, Wahroonga, NSW

The Raccoon and Me
by Thomas Simpson
St Thomas Aquinas School, Charnwood, ACT