Are you an Aboriginal woman aged 15 year and older, living in the Broken Hill City Council area, Wentworth Shire, or the Western Unincorporated Area? Have you ever dreamed of writing down your stories, ideas, memories, poetry, family history or creative projects?

West Darling Arts invites you to enter What Would You Write?, a creative writing competition with the prize of a laptop, designed to support First Nations women's voices, storytelling and self-expression.

Tell us in up to 500 words:

If you won this laptop, what would you write?

Your response can be as creative as you like. You might want to write:

• Stories from your family or community
• Oral histories and memories
• Poetry, songs or creative writing
• Children's stories
• A memoir
• Cultural reflections
• Articles, essays or opinion pieces
• Future dreams and ideas
• Something completely different

There are no right or wrong answers. We simply want to hear about the stories, ideas and voices you would like to bring to life.

Prize

An Acer Aspire Lite 15 laptop with mouse and case.

The laptop was generously donated through a partnership between Mona Magazine and West Darling Arts to support Aboriginal women's writing and creative expression.

Who Can Enter?

Applicants must:

• Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander woman.
• Reside within the Broken Hill City Council area, Wentworth Shire Council area, or the Western Unincorporated Area of Far West New South Wales.
• Submit an original response of no more than 500 words answering the question: "If you won this laptop, what would you write?"
• You can enter as many times as you like

Judging Criteria

Entries will be assessed by a panel appointed by West Darling Arts.

Judges will consider:

• Creativity and originality: The uniqueness, imagination and individuality of the response.
• Passion and purpose: The entrant's enthusiasm for writing and their vision for what they would create.
• Potential impact: How access to a laptop might support the entrant's writing, storytelling, cultural expression, personal development or community contribution.
• Authentic voice: The strength and sincerity of the entrant's own perspective and lived experience.

Judges are not looking for perfect spelling, grammar or professional writing experience. We encourage entries from women of all ages, backgrounds and levels of writing experience.

The judges' decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.

About the Prize

Before its closure, Mona Magazine championed women in rural and regional communities through writing, art and creative expression. This prize continues that commitment by supporting First Nations women's storytelling and creative aspirations in Far West NSW.

As Mona Magazine stated:

"It has been Mona's mission to support diverse women in rural areas to engage in writing and art, and this is one of several ways we hope to leave a legacy in the West Darling Arts area, as we enjoyed working so much with women from this region.

One of our goals has been to build women's confidence and ability to explore and express important parts of their identity in written and other ways, which is why we've chosen to partner with West Darling Arts to support First Nations women's engagement."

How to Enter

Email your entry to:
rado@westdarlingarts.com.au

Or post to PO Box 473, Broken Hill, NSW, 2880, or hand deliver to our office at 242 Blende Street, Broken Hill, NSW, 2880.

Please be sure to include your contact details, including your home address.

Entries can be typed or handwritten.

Entries close: October 5th

For enquiries:
rado@westdarlingarts.com.au