The Billy Lids

Primary and Secondary students across Australia are being urged to go outdoors to find inspirations for the 2008 Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards.

"Forests, Feathers, Fins and Fur" is this year's theme for the country's largest poetry writing competition for students, which celebrates the work of well-known Australian poet Dorothea Mackellar.

Supported by the Australian government, the poetry awards, now in their 28th year, are an activity associated with National Literacy and Numeracy Week(NLNW).

Last year, more than 15,000 poems were written by students from nearly 1000 schools nationally. Students and schools can share in more than $5000 worth of prizes including cash, trophies, books and a trip to Gunnedah in North-West NSW - home of the awards and Dorothea Mackellar's family owned several properties.

This year, the poetry awards take on an environmental theme with the Namoi Catchment Management Authority (CMA) also throwing its support behind the event.

"It's hoped the environmental theme will encourage students to research biodiversity by studying their local environments and help them to learn about the diversity of native plants and animals. This event gives students the chance to express their thoughts and concerns about the environment in a creative manner," said General Manager Namoi CMA Bruce Brown.

Entries in the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards close 2 June 2008. Authors Sue Gough and Prue Mason are the judges, and winners will be notified during NLNW (1-7 September).

A National Presentation Ceremony will be held in Gunnedah on 5 September 2008.

Award entry forms and information on poetry writing, resource notes for teachers and judges' reports are available at www.dorothea.com.au.