The winners of the Northern Beaches Writers’ Competition Art and Words Project have been announced. Writers submitted both a written entry of up to 2,500 words on the theme of ‘rain’ and an image that reflected their piece.

Submissions were sent from all over New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory.

The winner was ‘The ache of oft falling rain’ by Alison Clark from Queensland. The second place was for ‘In the boat’ by NSW’s Alison Gibbs, and the Northern Beaches Commendation Award went to ‘The rains over the ironbark’ by Nick Slessor, also from NSW.

The winning entries are free to read online on the Northern Beaches Writer’s Group website. The 2024 theme will be announced later this year.

The Northern Beaches Writers’ Competition is an ‘Art and Words Project’, founded by author Zena Shapter, supported by the Northern Beaches Writers’ Group and the Northern Beaches Council.