This was the advice given at the announcement that entries for the annual Banjo Paterson Writing Awards are open.

Established in 1991, the awards aim to honour the famous bush poet with a competition to foster short story or poetry writing with Australian content.

Central West Libraries reading and writing co-ordinator Jasmine Vidler said entries were open to adults and children.

“Your writing doesn’t have to be in any way like Banjo’s, it’s all about being an Australian and writing the best you can,” she said.

“Capture a moment or a feeling and work on describing that feeling.

With the Banjo Paterson Festival winding up yesterday Ms Vidler hopes people will be inspired by Banjo’s works.

“We’re expecting a huge number of entries,” she said.

Entries in category one, two and the Children’s Writing Awards do not have to be written in the same style as the work of Banjo Paterson or in ‘bush style’.

The awards aim to promote all forms of Australian writing and all writers, the only requirement is for Australian content, be it theme or style.

Entry costs $10 for categories 1, 2 or 3 and $5 for the Children’s Writing Award.

Children’s entries must be the unaided work of the entrant, aged up to and including 16 years on Friday April 18, 2014.

Entries close on Friday, April 18, 2014 and winners will be contacted by phone on Monday June 23, 2014.

The winning short story will be published in the Central Western Daily and the winning entries will also be published on the Central West Libraries website www.cwl.nsw.gov.au.

Entry forms are available from Central West Libraries branches in Orange, Blayney, Canowindra, Cowra, Manildra, Molong or Forbes, at www.cwl.nsw.gov.au, or by phoning 6393 8120, or emailing library@orange.nsw.gov.au.

nadine.morton@fairfaxmedia.com.au