Entries Invited for John Wellings Award

Lithgow Library is inviting school aged children to once again take part in the annual John Wellings Award competition.

The annual event is run in memory of John Edmund Wellings (1934-2006), who received an OAM for his services to the community and adult education. John, an active member of the Lithgow branch of the National Trust from its beginnings, linked the name ‘Rydal’ with the village of Rydal in England, and to William Wordsworth’s famous poem The Daffodils. 

He was involved in the restoration of the historic Union Church at Rydal and village beautification. Now each year in September, ‘Daffodils at Rydal’ is still bringing thousands of visitors to the village. In honour of his dedication to the local community, Lithgow National Trust branch started an annual art and essay competition in his name. 2019 sees the Lithgow Library and Lithgow Council taking the reins and continuing the local tradition.

Mayor Ray Thompson said “It is great to see this local annual competition continued. I look forward to seeing the quality entries on show in the Library in April.”

The 2019 competition will tie in with National Trust Heritage Festival theme of Connecting people, places, and the past. We are asking students in year 3 to year 12 to connect with people, places and the past. Your task is to describe a day in the life of a Lithgow resident from 100 years ago. You can research one of your own ancestors, or another Lithgow resident, or create a fictional character and describe in words and pictures what a day in their life would have been like. Where did they work, how did they live, what did they eat and how different was the town?

All entries must be completed no larger than A3 size and must be delivered to Lithgow Library Learning Centre no later than 5:00pm on Friday April 12, 2019 to be considered for the competition. Entries must include names, contact details including school and school year.

There are five categories for students in Years 3 to 12 with $100 for first prize in each category and two runners up prizes of $50 in each category. Prizes will be awarded at a ceremony at Lithgow Library Learning Centre on Friday 10 May 2019 from 4.30pm. 

All entries will be displayed at Lithgow Library Learning Centre for the duration of the Heritage Festival.

For more information about this competition please call Lithgow Library on 02 6352 9100.