2026 Bega Streetlight Festival Poetry

Bega Streetlight Festival Poetry Competition
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There are two competition streams: 14yrs and under and 15yrs and over. Which competition are you entering?
14 and under: Do you have your guardian's permission to enter
14 and under: Provide your guardian's name and contact phone number
Please read thefollowing Terms & Conditions before submitting

T&Cs

1. Eligibility
- Open to poets and writers of all levels and ages.
- Anyone who resides in the Bega Valley Shire is eligible to enter.
- Entrants may submit one work only.
- Submitted work must be created by the entrant and must not infringe on any third-party rights.
- AI-generated submissions will not be accepted.
- Submissions that contravene Division 80 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Racial Vilification and Hate Crimes laws) will not be accepted.
2. Entry & Fees
- Submit a PDF of your work using this form.
- Submissions open on Wednesday 26/8/2026.
- Deadline for submissions is midnight on Sunday, 13/9/2026.
- Late or incomplete entries may not be accepted.
- Entry is free.
3. Submission Guidelines
- Write a poem about the moments and places that hold significance for you.
- We encourage poems that reflect "a snapshot of belonging" in the Bega Valley.
4. Judging Process
- A blind judging panel will select 10 finalists.
- Finalists will be notified by email by 5pm, Wednesday 16/9/26.
- All judging decisions are final.
- Finalists will be offered an opportunity to recite their poem on Bega Streetlight Festival night (25/9/2026) at Candelo Books on Carp St.
Judges will announce award winners for the following categories after the poetry reading event:
- 15 and over: winner ($150 Candelo Book voucher) and runner up ($50 Candelo Book voucher)
- 14 and under: winner ($150 Candelo Book voucher) and runner up ($50 Candelo Book voucher)
Winners can collect awards from Candelo Books on the night or after.

5. Copyright & Permissions
Authors retain copyright.
By entering, you grant South East Arts and Bega Streetlight Festival a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to exhibit and promote your work, including digital and print use for non-commercial festival promotion and funder reporting.

6. Privacy
Personal information is used only for competition administration.
Entrants may opt-in for future communications from South East Arts.

7. Cancellations or Changes
Organisers reserve the right to amend or cancel any aspect of the competition due to unforeseen circumstances.

8. Contact
For support or questions: seainfo@southeastarts.org.au
Terms & Conditions
Upload your poem - pdf only; poem must be original and not AI-generated. Do not include your name in the PDF file name or in the content.

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Bega Streetlight Festival Poetry Competition