AVID literary fans gathered at the Hotel Canobolas on the weekend for the Orange Readers and Writers Festival where the best of the best were also celebrated.
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The winners of the Banjo Paterson Writing Awards competition were announced during Saturday's event.
Paul Clarke won the short story category for his piece, Dave and Mackie, which tells the story of an event in a small town through lively conversation.
Mr Clarke, who received a $2000 prize but could not attend, said he had admired Paterson's work all his life.
I like how there's no wrong or right, you can do what you like.
- Matilda Stafford
"It was even more special to hear the news while my wife and I were immersing ourselves in Banjo history at Winton, where Waltzing Matilda was created," he said.
Nelson Bay's David Taylor also won $2000 in the poetry category for Water Soul, which follows water's journey.
Mr Taylor said he was humbled to receive the award after placing third in 2016.
"It was the first time I had won a poetry award at all," he said.
The children's award of $200 went to Queensland's Yameen Khan for her story, The Other.
Bathurst's Matilda Stafford, 11, was also at the event to claim her $100 third prize for a story she called The Accident, a chapter taken from a book she was writing, which involves a girl who is sucked into a compass.
She said after she learned to write in kindergarten, she never stopped.
"I like how there's no wrong or right, you can do what you like," she said.
Mayor Reg Kidd, who presented the awards, said he was pleased with the variety of entries, which included 121 short stories, 91 poems and 19 children's entries.
"Writing topics this year ranged from relationships to war, rural life, pioneers, working dogs, relocating to the country, accidents, education, life changing moments and sport," Cr Kidd said.
The winning entries can be read by clicking here.
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