Now in its fifth year, the History's Mysteries Young Writers' Competition Awards Night recognises every student who entered this year's competition. Celebrating local history and youth creativity across the Greater Bunbury Region. This event is open to the public with all welcome.
Published 31 August 2026
About the Competition:
Bringing history to the forefront, the History's Mysteries Young Writers Competition challenges students to imagine the history behind a selection of significant museum artefacts and tell it in a short story.
150 years ago, a group of Irish political prisoners – sent to Western Australia as convicts on life sentences for treason against the British Government – escaped from Fremantle prison following elaborate planning by sympathisers to their cause.
The escape involved international espionage, fundraising, a whaling barque named the Catalpa and a good dose of daring.
This year's History’s Mysteries Young Writers Competition asks young writers to step inside the life of a West Australian convict planning their great escape.
The competition is for local young authors in Year 5 to Year 12.
Established in 2022, this competition program was the winner of an Interpretation, Learning & Audience Engagement award at the 2023 Australian Museums and Galleries National Conference.