Shout Out! Unbreakable Finalists
Youth
Elenor Story
Elenor Grulke-Nuss
A Horrible Hailstorm
Josie O’Leary
I just want to make my Nan proud
JoJo Cooper
Adult
The Waiting Game
Sam Beckingham
Unbreakable Me
Sandra Davies
A Knowledge More Valuable
Kait Carroll
Entries for Shout Out! Unbreakable are now closed.
Thank you to all the incredible storytellers who shared their inspiring tales.
unbreakable
[un-breakable]
adjective, to stand strong in the face of adversity
Shout Out! is the award-winning competition connecting communities across the Western Downs through the power of storytelling.
We’re searching for the most inspiring tales of courage and resilience that have emerged through the recent weather challenges.
Write or record your unbreakable stories:
Inspiring tales of courage and resilience that have emerged through the recent weather challenges (droughts, fires, floods) or even overcoming personal adversities.
For everything you need to know, check out the Factsheet, Tips & Tricks, and Terms & Conditions below.
Dates
Entries open Tuesday 1 August and close on Tuesday, 31 October.
Eligibility
Eligible entrants must live, work, or study in the Western Downs.
There are two categories: Youth (12 – 17 years) and Open (18+).
Stories can be submitted in written or audio formats via our webpage.
No more than:
500 words / 5 minutes audio (Youth) or
1,000 words / 10 minutes audio (Open).
Prizes
🎬 Six finalists will have their stories professionally produced into captivating short films, premiering at Words Out West 2024!
📚 Queensland Writers Centre annual memberships are up for grabs – the ultimate ticket to endless literary adventures!
🎟️ Youth category winners score tickets to the buzzin’ Brisbane Children’s Writers Festival, while Open category winners snag entry to the awe-inspiring Words Out West Festival Day!
💰 Plus, each overall category winner pockets a cool $250 in cash!
Have a great story you want to share, but finding it tricky to get it down on paper?
This is a storytelling competition. Your stories are what’s most important, not your spelling or your grammar.
We accept both written and verbal entries. This means you can simply hit record on your phone, talk out your story and upload the recording in the submission form.
We want your stories to shine, and we’re here to lend a helping hand. If you need assistance with putting pen to paper or capturing your tale in audio form – just reach out to your local Western Downs Library branch to book in for some one-to-one help.
You can also join us for an in-person workshop or explore the online video tutorial below for additional insights and techniques to effectively bring your story to life.
Online Youth Workshop
Unleash Your Storytelling Superpower with local writer, Jane Hultgren! 
Get ready to dive into the world of captivating tales and unstoppable resilience. 
Join us on this epic journey with storyteller Jane Hultgren, brought to you by the Queensland Writers Centre. Through this awesome online tutorial, you’ll learn the art of crafting your very own stories of courage and resilience. So print off these worksheets, grab your imagination and let’s conquer the storytelling storm together! 
Adult Workshops
Nike Sulway is a novelist, short story writer, poet and writing mentor. With a PhD in Creative Writing, Nike has been mentoring writers and teaching writing for more than twenty years.
Join Nike in a “Writing your Story” Workshop. Bookings essential and spaces are limited – get in quick!
Dalby Library
Wednesday 23 August
10am
Tara Library
Wednesday 23 August
1pm
Dogwood Crossing, Miles
Thursday 24 August
10am
Shout Out! Storytelling Competition FAQs
The competition opens Tuesday 1 August and closes Tuesday 31 October 2023.
Submit your story by completing the online entry form before Tuesday 31 October 2023.
You must live, work, or study in the Western Downs.
You must be aged 12 to 17 years (Youth) or 18+ years (Open).
Entrants under 18 years of age at time of entry must have parental consent to enter.
If you do not live, work or study in the Western Downs Region you cannot enter the competition.
Your story must be a true story about you. Stories must pertain to the 2023 theme, unbreakable. Tell us how you have shown resilience through the recent weather events or personal adversity.
Check out our Tips and Tricks for some handy hints.
You can submit your story in text (.pdf) or audio (.mp3) format.
You can upload an audio recording of up to 100MB in MP3 format.
Text files should be in PDF format.
Entries can be in written or audio format:
- No more than 500 words / 5 minutes for Youth entries
- No more than 1000 words / 10 minutes for Open entries.
Entries exceeding the word / time limits will be disqualified.
Finalists
Six finalists (three finalists each across the Youth and Open categories) will be handpicked from our panel of judges to have their story professionally produced into a short film.
Videos will be premiered at Words Out West: Western Downs Readers & Writers Fest 2024 – and if you’re a finalist, you come along too.
Finalists will also receive an annual (12 month) membership to Queensland Writers Centre, and admission to the Brisbane Children Writers Festival (Youth) or the Words Out West Festival Day (Open).
Winners
Each overall category winner (Youth and Open) will also receive $250 cash each.
Yes, however you will only be able to win one prize.
Entries must be a true story about an aspect of your life following the theme.
Download the Terms & Conditions PDF.
Please note: organisers reserve the right to suspend the competition if an adequate amount of entries is not received.
Contact or phone (07) 4679 4474.
2022 Finalists
Chapters
Isabella Pharaoh
Cabin Fever
Thomas Crook
Car Crash
Demika and Indi Wilson
Jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Although funding for this project has been provided by both the Australian and Queensland Governments, the material contained herein does not necessarily represent the views of either Government.
