2024 Karen Thrift Prize for Poetry
Karen Thrift Poetry Prize tile image
The University of Newcastle School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences is excited to confirm the 2024 Karen Thrift Prize for Poetry is now OPEN for entries.
Entries close midnight 19 January 2025
Major Prize: $1,000
All entries must be sent to: Karenthriftpoetryprize@newcastle.edu.au
And received by 11:59pm EST, 19 January 2025
Entry Terms and Conditions:
- In 2024, entrants must be a current student at The University of Newcastle.
- Entries must be unpublished (including online) and not under consideration by other publishers.
- All poems and lyrics must be written in English.
- Poems and lyrics must be no more than 80 lines.
- Maximum of one entry per person.
- Entries will be deidentified before sending to the judging panel.
- Selection will be made by a judging panel appointed by the Head of School, Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences.
- The Prize will be awarded in early 2025 and the winning poet will be invited to read at an event organised by the School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences.
- Previous winners are ineligible to enter.
About Karen
Karen Elizabeth Thrift was born in 1955 in Western Australia and grew up in Cooranbong. She taught at Northholm Grammar School in Sydney for 22 years, many of them as Head of English. Her overwhelming goal and mission as a teacher was to light the fires of creativity, share her love of literature, and she was passionate to hone the skills of every student in her classes. She fought for the underdog, inspired the disengaged and drew high respect for her role in pastoral care, and inspired many students to accept the challenge to become adults with informed consciences.
It is to continue to recognise Karen’s contribution that this prize seeks to recognise creativity, passion, intelligence, the poetry and music of life and the creators of these foods for the soul.
View Karen Thrift Memories 1955-2016 here
Submission details
Please send your entry to karenthriftpoetryprize@newcastle.edu.au as a word document.
Please ensure that the word document does not contain identifying personal or contact information.
The judging panel will not be aware of any submission authorship during the judging process.
Please ensure that the e-mail you send contains your name and contact details, including student number to ensure eligibility.
You will receive an e-mail reply within 2 business days confirming receipt of your submission.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome via e-mail after the judging panel has reached a verdict.
Contact
Event Information
- Date: Sunday 19 January 2025 from 11:59pm
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.