WINNERS of the second Manning in Rhyme poetry competition were announced on Friday at a presentation at Taree Library.
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The awards attracted a large crowd of people, including competition judge Neville Briggs who had the difficult task of selecting the winners from more than 120 entries.
Overall there were eight prizes on offer, including three category winners and five encouragement awards. The major prizes and three of the encouragement awards were courtesy of Manning Valley Senior Citizens Association.
In the under 12 category, 35 entries were received with the youngest entrant five-year-old Kit from Upper Lansdowne.
The winner was Mali Hoadley with her poem, 'The Zoo'. Mr Briggs stated that this was "By far the most imaginative and fun poem of the section and was a stand-out winner".
Mali received a $100 cash prize and a trophy. Encouragement awards and a $50 book voucher were won by Xavier Cooper, for his poem 'Fire', and Nelleke O'Connell for her poem 'Swan'.
In the youth section (age 12-24), an impressive 41 entries were received.
The winner of the $100 cash prize was Ylana Gillies from Hannam Vale, with her poem 'Freedom'. Mr Briggs evaluated Ylana's poem very highly and judged it as the winner based on her "excellent use of similes to great effect."
Two $50 encouragement awards, supported by Greater Taree City Council's youth services, were awarded to Joanne Power for her untitled poem about windy weather whipping up the water, and Madison Fredrickson who continued a water theme with her poem, 'The bilge of a ship'.
The open section was highly competitive with 47 entries.
The winning poem 'Burning Bridges' by Anna Hamers, was written about her experience migrating to Australia from the Netherlands. The poem struck a chord with Mr Briggs who judged it as "A fine poem with true nostalgia and just the right words to make the image and set the mood."
The encouragement award was given to Mark Norris, whose short poem 'Recently' humorously described his decision to ignore his wife's instruction's to stay off the newly grouted tiles.
Based upon the excellent support from local poets and the strong partnership between Manning Valley Senior Citizens Association and council, a third Manning in Rhyme event is planned.