‘Love &amp; Melbourne’ storytelling competition

We all have a love story. What do you love about Melbourne? Is it the coffee, the music, the laneways, the people, the sports, the food? What are those distinct Melbourne experiences that have made this city so special to you? We’d love to hear about them! Share a story about your experience as an international student in Melbourne with us for an opportunity to win an ultimate Melbourne pack, including tickets to major attractions and cultural events.

Study Melbourne has partnered with Melbourne Writers Festival to bring your stories to life and celebrate diverse international student experiences and perspectives in Victoria. Winners will be presented with their prizes on stage during MWF19.

Show your love for Melbourne by sharing your story with us. Submissions can be either in written or visual form. You can write, film, draw or photograph something that represents your experience here, whether it be a place, person, event, street, café, market, festival or anything else. Your submission must fit within one of the categories listed below.

Members of the public in Victoria and overseas, including friends and family, will also be given the opportunity to vote for their favourite shortlisted submission through Melbourne Writers Festival’s website. The entry with the most votes will win the award for People’s Choice.

Share your Melbourne story for the chance to win amazing prizes!

Prizes

Each category winner will receive an ultimate Melbourne pack, including tickets to major attractions and cultural events.

Competition Categories

There are five competition categories.

1. Written – High School (up to 500 words)

Are you studying at a high school in Victoria? This category is for you. If you are under 18 you will need to get your parent or guardian’s permission to enter the competition.

2. Written – English Language Training (up to 500 words)

Are you studying to improve your English in Victoria? This category is for you.

3. Written – Vocational Education and Training (up to 500 words)

Are you studying at a TAFE or private training college in Victoria? This category is for you.

4. Written – Higher Education (up to 1000 words)

Are you studying at university in Victoria? This category is for you.

5. Visual

You don’t need to be a professional, but if drawing, photography or video is more your style, show us your story in visual form! Options include a comic strip (up to 2 A4 pages), photo story board (must be at least three images), video (maximum 5 minutes) or single page illustration. If you choose video don’t worry, we are not expecting film quality or length. Content filmed on your smartphone will work, so long as it tells a story. This category is open to all international students in Victoria, no matter what you are studying or your institution.

Submit your entry on the Melbourne Writers Festival website.

Important dates

9 May – Competition opens - 12 noon AEST

30 June – Competition closes - 5pm AEST

5 July - Shortlist announced, hosted on MWF website and People’s Choice voting begins - 10am AEST

19 July - Voting closes for People’s Choice - 10am AEST

30 August - 8 September - Award ceremony during MWF19 – shortlist presented with certificates and winners announced

Find out more on the Melbourne Writers Festival website

For more information and to submit your entry on the Melbourne Writers Festival website.

MWF stories in 2016, 2017 and 2018

Study Melbourne has partnered with MWF in previous years. If you're looking for inspiration, why not read some winning stories from 2016, 2017 and 2018

2018: 'Me & Melbourne'

2017: 'My Place in Melbourne'

2016: 'My Melbourne'