What’s Happening?
Townsville student Alfred Dowd has won the Years 5 and 6 short story category in Queensland’s annual Literary Competition. The St Joseph’s School student from North Ward received first place for his submission, The Space Between.
Alfred was honoured during the competition’s presentation evening at the Queensland Multicultural Centre. The event was jointly organised by IEU-QNT and the English Teachers’ Association of Queensland.
Why It Matters
The award recognises Alfred’s writing among entries submitted by students and staff across Queensland. Reviewers Debbie Owens and Marg Fahey praised his careful storytelling, imagination and use of language.
“The writer amplifies the feeling of disorientation and dislocation through the clever and perceptive selection of descriptive detail which establish a clear and engaging authorial voice,” Owens and Fahey said.
They also praised how the story moved from fantasy back to familiar surroundings. According to the reviewers, Alfred maintained the opening tension through to the final sentence.
“What seemed like a fantasy narrative was skilfully and cleverly returned to the mundane in the resolution with a plausible reconnection with the familiar before concluding with an intriguing final sentence that returns the reader to the opening intrigue,” they said.
Local Impact
Alfred’s result gives Townsville a first-place recipient in one of the competition’s junior categories. It also brings state recognition to St Joseph’s School and its North Ward community.
IEU-QNT Assistant Secretary Nicole Kapernick said the competition helped students develop their writing skills and creativity. She said supporting young writers had remained central to the competition since its establishment.
“Our antecedent union established the competition to encourage literary development and freedom of expression in young people,” Ms Kapernick said.
By the Numbers
- More than 1,300 poetry, short story and non-fiction prose submissions were entered across Queensland this year.
- The Literary Competition has run for 67 years, making it Queensland’s oldest continuing writing competition.
- IEU-QNT represents more than 17,000 education employees across Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Zoom In
Award recipients received certificates and book prizes donated by event sponsor Penguin Random House Australia. First-place winners then read their successful pieces to the audience during the presentation.
Guest speaker Sita Walker also spoke about her writing career and shared some of its key moments. Walker is a memoirist and winner of the People’s Choice Award.
Kapernick said participating schools had submitted consistently strong work for consideration. Reviewers also noted the variety of writing received from across the state.
“The Literary Competition reviewers were impressed with the exceptional talent on display this year, with a diverse range of entries submitted from across the state.”
Zoom Out
The competition accepts work from students and staff at both state and non-government schools. Entries cover poetry, short stories and non-fiction prose across several age groups.
“Now in its 67th year, the Literary Competition remains the oldest continuing writing competition in Queensland and is open to students and staff in both state and non-government schools,” Ms Kapernick said.
Alfred joined nine other writers who received first place in their respective categories.
Open
- Short story – Eamon Webb, Mount Alvernia College, Kedron
Years 11 and 12
- Short story – Lachlan Horton, All Saints Anglican School, Merrimac
- Poem – Kae Cos, Stretton State College, Stretton
- Non-fiction prose – Chanyoung Jeong, Cavendish Road State High School, Holland Park
Years 9 and 10
- Short story – Robin Bhullar, John Paul College, Daisy Hill
- Poem – Sophia Campbell, Indooroopilly State High School, Indooroopilly
Years 7 and 8
- Short story – Harper Clarke, Citipointe Christian College, Carindale
- Poem – Annabelle Frankel, Brisbane South State Secondary College, Dutton Park
Years 5 and 6
- Short story – Alfred Dowd, St Joseph’s School, North Ward
- Poem – Carlotta Casseus, The Lakes College, North Lakes
Kapernick congratulated the successful writers and acknowledged everyone who submitted work to this year’s competition. “I congratulate those outstanding writers who were awarded prizes and thank all the recipients who entered the 2026 Literary Competition,” she said.
What To Look For Next?
Alfred’s achievement could encourage more Townsville students to submit their writing in future competitions. Local schools may also build on this result by supporting more young writers across each category.
