Writing competition makes a splash for Water Week

Published on 04 October 2022

Bellingen Shire Council is inviting the community to get involved in National Water Week 2022 from 17 to 23 October, with an innovative new competition being launched.  Splash Fiction is Council’s take on flash fiction, which is a type of story characterised as being very short.

The Splash Fiction competition encourages people to write a story about water in under 300 words, and ties into the theme of this year’s National Water Week – Our Water Stories.  There are prizes up for grabs, for first place and highly commended entrants.  The short story competition will open on Monday 17 October, with judging to be undertaken by the Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival. 

“National Water Week is about promoting awareness around the value of water and inspiring everyone on our community to recognise that every drop counts.” said Mayor, Cr Steve Allan. “Access to clean water is hugely important to our daily lives, and it’s down to all of us to protect our water environment and resources and use water wisely.”

Council is also opening its doors to the community to come and look at our water supply up close.  Free tours to both the Bellingen and Dorrigo water treatment plants will be held during Water Week, though registration is essential.

“It’s great for people to see where our water comes from and learn more about the water cycle.” Said Mayor Allan.  “It’s such a precious resource that we often take for granted. We’ve got to keep building our understanding and awareness, and respect for our amazing rivers and landscapes that provide us with so much.”

There will also be a book display at the Bellingen Library, with a range of literature for both young and old, with a focus around water. 

Splash Fiction competition details, and Water Tour registration is available here

For community enquiries about Water Week activities please contact Council’s Water Resilience Officer, Amanda Carter. council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au  P. 6655 7300