WILDCARE Inc International Nature Writing Prize
The WILDCARE Tasmania International Nature Writing Prize is an international literary prose competition. In aiming to lift the profile of nature writing, it helps put words and actions together in the cause of caring for our world. Announcing the Winners 2011
The 2011 Prize attracted entries from writers all over , and as far afield as Newfoundland, . The Prize winners were announced on April 2 during “10 Days on the Island ”. The major award went to Peter Shepherd ( Upper Brogo, NSW) for his essay “In the Land of Nod”. Peter receives $5 000 plus return airfares to Hobart and a two week residency in a Tasmanian national park.
Peter wrote about the prize "The Wildcare Nature Writing Prize has been, for many years, both my inspiration and my big stick. It has led me ... to a new level in my writing. What drives me is respect: for the existence of the prize, for the standard and for its aim of drawing attention to what nature writing can offer. I believe it can offer a lot. No, actually I believe it can offer the world"
The minor awards were shared by Amanda Curtain ( Bassendean, WA ) for “On the Uses of the Dead to the Living”, and Elizabeth Bryer (Yarravile, Vic) for “Of Stars and a Lake ”. They each receive $250.
Congratulations to all of the winners, and thank you to all authors who submitted works.
Thanks also to our fellow sponsors and supporters: Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service, The Freycinet Experience Walk, Island Magazine, In Graphic Detail, the judges (Dael Allison and Adrienne Eberhard), the Steering Group (Peter Grant, Andrew Smith, Pete Hay and Chris Gallagher), and also Bradley Trevor Greive for his artwork.
"So, does writing make a difference in the world? Maybe it doesn't directly put trees in the ground, or clean up litter or even maintain a remote lighthouse. But it has been proven here in Tasmania on many occasions that literature and art can change people and their understanding and passion and then they go and change the ways in which they interact with the natural world. Writing (and reading) can take us on a journey into the wild corners of our minds, and help us to understand that we act out our lives in the context of a natural world that beats in our hearts, coarses through our bloodstream and nourishes our minds." Andrew Smith, Co-Chair WILDCARE Inc
Have you ever wanted to spend a few months alone on an island, spend time getting to know a piece of wilderness better, take part in protecting rare wildlife in the wild, feel the joy of caring for and releasing a wild animal or bird or head to the back country and do some real work?
WILDCARE Inc, in cooperation with our government partners, undertakes a number of large scale, ongoing, annual projects and programs. Information about these programs can be found below. Special projects and programs may require specialist skills and often ask for extended commitments, but they are some of the most intriguing and exciting volunteer projects around.
See program contact details above for more information.
