Andrew Hardy Poetry Prize

About the Poetry Prize

The Andrew Hardy Poetry Prize is an annual youth poetry prize awarded in memory of Andrew Hardy, who died at the young age of 22 in 1997. The prize was established in memory of Andrew, and of Tim Thorne, who recognised Andrew’s talent and wished to foster the love and practice of poetry in Tasmanian youth. The Andrew Hardy Youth Poetry Prize is offered for an original poem, written by a young Tasmanian poet.

The Andrew Hardy Youth Poetry Prize offers two sections:
Youth Section: Tasmanian Resident, 8 – 15 years old
Young Adult Section: Tasmanian Resident, 16 – 25 years old

The winners of each section will receive a cash prize (to be determined based on funding each year), and will be invited (but are not required) to receive their prize, and read their winning entry at The Tasmanian Poetry Festival. This year the festival is to be held at QVMag Inveresk, on Sunday October 11, 2026 in Launceston.

Entries for 2026 close on Friday September 18th.