It is with great excitement that I announce that I have been appointed the judge of the 2024 Martha Richardson Memorial Poetry Prize.

‘The Martha’, as it’s fondly known, was one of the first programs that I was involved with when I first moved to Ballarat in 2008. When I joined the committee as publicity officer it was my job to advertise the prize to the local and international poetry community. I know that the prize always attracts the interest of outstanding poets who submit a very high level of work and, as such, I am thrilled that I will have the chance to read this year’s entries. I am also aware of how difficult it will be to create a shortlist and a winner.

This year’s theme is The Bush.

Entries must be your own original and unpublished work of up to 40 lines. Entries open on 1 August 2024 and close 13 October 2024.

Entry Fee: AU$35 per poem (AU$25 for members of Ballarat Writers, $AU15 for each additional poem for members and non-members)

First Prize: AU$1,000
Second Prize: AU$400
Third Prize: AU$100

Results: Finalists and Winner to be announced in November 2024.

As part of this program I will be running a Polish to Publish course. I will share details on how to book when they become available.