By YASEMIN TALAT
THE magic of words was celebrated last week when the winners of the Brimbank Writers Awards were announced at a presentation at the Sydenham Neighbourhood House.
The Brimbank Writers Awards, which were part of the Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival, attracted a record number of more than 350 entries this year.
The awards recognised the writing talent of those who live, work or study in Brimbank.
Year 12 English teacher at Sunshine’s Marian College, Vito Milana, was awarded for his creativity in the Adult Poetry category.
Mr Milana’s poem “A Graveyard. My Books” won first prize and $300.
Mr Milana said his collection of books inspired the piece which reflected on the life of books once they had been read.
“I’ve got a lot of books at home, and I’ve always thought about the collections and what would happen if the books sort of took on their own personalities,” Mr Milana said.
“It was just a way of morphing these inanimate objects, which are the books, and how they could possibly animate themselves into beings of existence.”
Mr Milana said he channelled the creativity he taught his students in his own writing.
“I thought the poem would be an interesting read for other avid readers and an opportunity to reflect upon what it really means to be creative in the process,” he said.
Mr Milana, who entered his very first writing competition, said it was good to see people were still interested in the written form, especially in a world dominated by technology.
“It was an opportunity to meet other encouraging writers and see that enthusiasm that’s alive and well in all different generations,” he said.
There were seven major category winners and a total of 21 entrants who received cash awards.
To see the winners and read their work visit http://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/Events/Brimbank_Writers_Readers_Festival/Brimbank_Writers_Awards
