Seniors Festival Writing Awards 2025
Port Phillip Writes
Port Phillip Writes is an annual event that showcases the imagination, writing skills and creative expression of seniors.
Anyone 55 or older who lives, works, or is a member of a library in Port Phillip can enter.
Entry submission and award
You can submit one fictional story, poem or a non-fiction piece on any topic.
All entries will be published in the Port Phillip Writes publication. Entrants will receive a certificate and two copies of the publication.
Outstanding entries are eligible for an award. In October, we’ll let you know how we’ll celebrate the winners.
Application Form
You can download the Seniors Writing Festival 2025 Application Form (PDF 366KB) here or ask one of our library staff to print it out next time you visit.
Entries must be submitted no later than Friday 27 June 2025.
How to submit your entry
Please read the conditions of entry on the next page before you complete this form. Email is the best way to submit your entry. Please make sure that you have completed all sections before you submit this form and your entry. You can send this form and your entry to: portphillipwrites@portphillip.vic.gov.au
If you don’t have access to email, you can post your entry. But please call us to let us know you’ve entered by post.
To enter via post:
City of Port Phillip
Seniors Festival
Private Bag No 3, St Kilda 3182
Confirmation of entry
You will receive a return email or phone call confirming that your entry has been received. If you have not heard from us in seven days, please call ASSIST and ask for the Community Building Team.
Phone ASSIST: 03 9209 6777
Conditions of entry
1. Entrants must either live or work in Port Phillip or be a member of Port Phillip Libraries and are aged 55 years or over.
2. One entry per participant.
3. All entries are to be your own original, unpublished work.
4. Work must be submitted in one of three categories: fictional story, poem or non-fiction piece on any topic.
5. All categories have a maximum of 1000 words - no minimum limit applies.
6. Digital formats are preferred – using a word program such as Microsoft Word (for PC users) or Text (for Mac users) – and submitted by email.
7. No images or illustrations accepted.
8. Works on paper can be submitted but they must be typed not handwritten.
9. Entries must be submitted no later than Friday 27 June 2025.
10. Entries will not be returned.
11. The judges’ decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
12. Copyright remains with the author.
13. City of Port Phillip reserves the right to retain copies of the works and to reproduce them in consultation with the writer. Stories may be edited for grammar and spelling.
14. Works over the word limit or deemed R+ rated by the judges will not be accepted or published in the Port Phillip Writes publication.
15. A 50-word maximum biography on the author (written in the
third person) must be supplied with each entry.
16. A coloured head shot photograph of the author must be supplied for publication. Please ensure that the photo is in high quality resolution and includes only head and shoulders.
For more information
If you require assistance to translate, type your entry or any other enquiries please contact: portphillipwrites@portphillip.vic.gov.au