Many NSW prize winners in anti racism competition

The major prize in the Australians Against Racism writing competition for young writers, sponsored by the NSW Teachers Federation and Allen & Unwin, has been won by Wanniassa School (ACT) students Salima Haidary, Hallie Kent, and Ramona Strang for "Salima's Story". The prize is worth $1500.

But NSW featured highly in the prizes, including Mert Korkusuz and Najeeba Wazefabost

James Ruse Agricultural High School student Mert Korkusuz has won 1st prize in the 12 and under section.

Holroyd High School student Najeeba Wazefadost won 3rd prize in the age 16-20 category and a special prize in the non English speaking background category for "Surrealistic Nightmare".

They will be flown to Canberra with the other major prize winners for the Australians Against Racism Young Australians Parliamentary Forum on October 6.

Australians Against Racism President Eva Sallis said the winning stories will be reproduced in a magazine and will include three very different stories of young girls from Afghanistan; another young boy's vivid story, probably also from Afghanistan; a stark, heartfelt commentary on the Stolen Generation through an interview with one of the author's uncles; two moving stories from East Timor, each strikingly different; the beautiful, grim and inspiring story of an Iraqi Kurd; a witty story of a young white Australian male's exploration of prejudice through his friendship with a man from El Salvador; two striking stories from Vietnam by very young writers; and a powerful story from Yugoslavia.

"Tone, style and impact of these stories could not be more diverse. It will be an extraordinary collection," she said.

Other NSW prize winners included:

• 12 and under: 3rd prize Irene Guo, Hurlstone Agricultural College.

• 13-15 years: 2nd prize Fabienne Trevere, North Sydney Girls High School; 3rd prize Edith Tom, James Ruse Agricultural High School.

Highly commended winners from NSW included Melinda Zahri, Sydney Secondary College; Airlie Dodds, Greenwich Public School; Jay Higson-Coleing, Scotts Head Public School, Andrea Krakovska, Hurlstone Agricultural High School; Michelle Lee, Randwick School; Katherine Myers, Point Clare Public School; Rebeca Senatilaka, Hurlstone Agricultural High School; Cheyne Whitelaw, Randwick Public School; Grace Lucashenko-Pennington, Mullumbimby High; Kristie Martin, Raymond Terrace High School; Shaeestha B Meher, East Hills Girls Technical High School; Brooke Begley, Raymond Terrace High School; Fernanda, 19, Green Valley; Kyle Smith, Melville High School; Nooria Wazefadost, Holroyd High School.

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