The categories and prizes for the 2026 Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards are as follows:

David Maher Award –  awarded to the best individual entry from a small school

• Open to primary schools only.

• Schools must have a total enrolment of less than 30 students. Entrants will be checked for eligibility.

• Home-school/distance education students are NOT eligible for this award.

• Judges reserve the right not to award this prize.

Kurrumbede Award - awarded to the best primary school & secondary school entry from a school within 100km of Gunnedah

• Open to primary schools and secondary schools within 100km radius of Gunnedah town centre.

• Entrants will be checked for eligibility.

• Judges reserve the right not to award this prize.

Assisted Learning – awarded to the best primary school and secondary school entry

• Open to students enrolled in an Individual Education Program (IEP), Support Teacher Assisted Learning (STLA) programs or with English as a second language are eligible to enter in this category.

• Entries are submitted by the teacher.

• The “Assisted Learning Section Form” must be completed and returned by email to executiveofficer@dorothea.com.au.