The purpose of the Somerset National Poetry Prize is to encourage a love of writing poetry amongst secondary school students, to affirm it as a worthwhile literary pursuit, and to stimulate excellence in writing. It also aims to inspire and enrich youth literature.

Click here to submit your entry!

As a part of the 2024 Somerset Storyfest, school-aged students are invited to participate in the Somerset National Poetry Prize sponsored by Dr Annette Allen of Tweed Banora Dental. Entries open Monday 24 July 2023, click here for Conditions of Entry. 

Entries close Friday 1 December 2023

2023 Winners
2022 Winners
2021 Winners
2020 Winners
2019 Winners

2023 Winners

Junior Category

Anxiety - Violet FitzSimons, Oxley College, New South Wales

Senior Category

Boyhood - Malakai Rataj - Australian Christian College, New South Wales

2022 Winners

Junior Winner
The Forgotten - Ovindee Amarasiri, Presbyterian Ladies' College, Victoria

Senior Winner
We are young only once- Laura Pannell, Hornsby Girls State High School

2021 Winners

Junior Category
Early December - Sophie Patulny, Dulwich High School of Visual Arts and Design, New South Wales

Senior Category
Beginning - Helena Hagan, Somerset College, Queensland

2020 Winners

Junior Category
Mothers as Others - Lucia Gelonesi, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, New South Wales

Senior Category
Little Somethings - Jacki Elezovich, Swan Valley Anglican Community School, Western Australia

2019 Winners

Junior Category
Sicilian Music Box - Lucia Gelonesi, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, New South Wales

Senior Category
My Lover’s Lover - Amy Wortmann, Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Queensland