Science + Storytelling
Writers Celebrate Science at Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Last Saturday morning, MARION Ink hosted the presentation of the 2025 Science + Storytelling Prize at Tuggeranong Arts Centre as part of this year’s National Science Week events. The sun was shining, pastries were shared, and the gathering had a warm, relaxed energy as writers and community members came together to celebrate the meeting point of science and creativity.
The prize invited ACT-based writers of all ages to creatively explore the wonders of science through storytelling, inspired by the National Science Week theme: Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language. Entries spanned poetry, short stories, essays and hybrid forms, showcasing the depth of talent and imagination in the ACT writing community.
Jacqui Malins with Olivia Congdon
Annabelle Evans
Ian Hart with Olivia Congdon
All winners and runners-up were present to accept their awards. In the Youth category, both recipients were just 15 years old: Annabelle Evans, from Evelyn Scott School in Denman Prospect, took out first prize with her poem Hunger, while Ruby Hulme, from Canberra High School, was runner-up with her short story Innocent Eyes.
Prizes were also awarded in the 65+ category and the Open category, with works ranging from lyrical poetry to reflective essays and evocative short fiction. Judge Olivia Congdon, Senior Science Writer at the Australian National University, praised the entries for their diversity of ideas, styles and formats, and for the creative ways writers engaged with science and nature.
The morning concluded by flowing naturally into MARION’s monthly Come Write session, where participants were invited to continue the theme by exploring the “hidden languages of nature” in their own writing.
Supported by Inspiring Australia ACT, The Australian National University, and the ACT Government, the prize presentation was not only a celebration of the winning writers but also a reminder of the power of storytelling to bring science to life.
Thank you to all who came along to make it such a gorgeous event.
Keep your eyes out. Winning entries will be published on our website later this month.
FULL LIST OF PRIZE WINNERS
2025 Science + Storytelling Prize Winners
Youth Category (17 and under)
Winner: Annabelle Evans – Hunger (poetry) — $400 Evelyn Scott School, Denman Prospect ACT
Runner-up: Ruby Hulme – Innocent Eyes (short story) — $200 Canberra High School, Macquarie ACT
65+ Category
Winner: Ian Hart – Anchovies (short story) — $400
Runner-up: Denise Fowler – Learning the Language of Birds (essay) — $200
Runner-up: Michelle Brock – Happenstance (poetry) — $200
Open Category (18 and over)
Winner: Jacqui Malins – Film Script for Lutruwita (poetry) — $400
Runner-up: Sarah Kellett – Ferns and Fever Trees (short story) — $200
Thank you to our marvellous judge Olivia Congdon!
Olivia Congdon is currently Senior Science Writer for the Australian National University and is a self-confessed nature nerd. She was previously a science communicator with the Australian Academy of Science, and she holds a Graduate Certificate in Science Communication. Olivia’s work has appeared in publications including Australian Geographic, BBC Wildlife magazine, Galah magazine, the ABC, Weekend Birder, and Cosmos magazine.
Read more in the CBR City News Article HERE
