Big Plaque Mojo

When I was a little girl, I always thought I had the same chance as everyone else to win a prize, the lottery, votes, competitions, etc.

When I was a gloomy teenager, I still hoped this was true, yet felt it wasn’t… Every time I entered a competition and lost, I’d acknowledge that loss as expected. I knew it wouldn’t happen for me. My wishes never come true. I’m not the lucky type, etc 🙁

Now, however, I do sometimes win competitions and, each time, I wish I could go back and tell teenager-me not to be so cynical. Just wait, I want to tell her, one day you’ll find your mojo and success will follow – just like it did yesterday.

Yesterday, the team of writers I put together to attempt the 2013 Write-a-Book-in-a-Day challenge drove out to Westmead Children’s Hospital to collect our awards:

National Best Book

National Best Illustrations

Most National Sponsorship

We scooped the lot and it felt fantastic. Across Australia in 2013, 279 books were written in this competition and there were children and teenagers from so many New South Wales schools attending the ceremony, all in their best clothes and all so happy to be winning certificates and awards too. The judge JC Burke said “The standard of writing was awe-inspiring.”

When my team got up for the third time to collect our third award, some kid behind us even said, with a smile “Not Again!”. That felt good too because everyone was so chuffed for us. Yes, we were getting up again, because wishes sometimes do come true… especially once you’ve found your mojo, he he 😉

Here are some photos from the ceremony:

The presentation begins in the garden amphitheatre!

Five of us in the audience waiting to be called up (left to right): Kristin Prescott, Me, Leah Boonthanom, Zoya Nojin & Tracey Jackson.

Thank you crew: Fiona Howland-Rose, Zoya Nojin, Tony McFadden, Liz Michell, Kristin Prescott, Leah Boonthanom, Tracey Jackson, Mijmark and Kirsten Taylor – otherwise known as the NBWG WABIAD team.

Getting our third award (left to right): Fiona Howland-Rose, Zoya Nojin, Tony McFadden, Me, WABIAD Judge JC Burke, Liz Michell, Kristin Prescott, Leah Boonthanom & Tracey Jackson (there in spirit: Mijmark & Kirsten Taylor)

Presenting a big cheque to the hospital along with representatives from all the schools who attended:

I’m in the middle, back row.

In total, the competition raised $42,956.65 for Westmead Children’s Hospital!

Me with the three plaques

In conclusion…

May we all find our mojo and one day win a big plaque!!