Denmark Primary School student Jack Warburton wins third prize in 2024 Craig Silvey Award for Young Writers

A Denmark Primary School student has been recognised for his writing prowess by one of Australia’s best-known authors, with the Year 4 student claiming third place in a youth competition.

Jack Warburton won bronze in the middle primary category of the 2024 Craig Silvey Award for Young Writers for his story An Ugly Malarky.

The tale follows the journey of a trio of boys who chase a bike thief from Albany Skate Park across the world, with the fourth wall-breaking narration culminating in friendship, an Olympic medal, and the invention of hoverbikes.

The 10-year-old travelled to Perth for the awards ceremony on October 21 to meet the other 15 winners and awards patron Silvey.

Silvey — writer of acclaimed novels such as Jasper Jones, Honeybee and Runt — described Warburton’s piece as a “hilarious instance of bike banditry” on his Facebook page.

He said it was an “honour and delight” to return for the second year of the awards.

“The quality and diversity of the stories this year was absolutely remarkable, and the depth of insight underpinning them impressed me so profoundly,” he wrote.

“Every young writer displayed a care and a range of skill that gives me great hope for the future of Australian literature.”

The winning stories were published in an anthology and exhibited in the Subiaco Library from September 24-October 27.

Previously called the Tim Winton Award, the Craig Silvey Award for Young Writers is run by the city of Subiaco.