This year East Gippsland Institute of TAFE is again offering an award that is designed to capture those writers who prefer to write in the non-fiction genre.

If you have had a unique travel experience and want to write about it and win prize money, then this is the competition for you.

There are two categories: General Travel Writing and Gippsland. The general category is for an article about a travel experience anywhere in the world – volunteering in an Incan village; saving whales in the Antarctic; climbing Kilimanjaro; your first view of the aurora borealis – there are a million stories to be told.

The Gippsland award is for an article about a travel or tourism experience in the geographic area encompassed by Philip Island to Warragul to the NSW border.

The articles will be read by the main judge who will hand shortlisted articles to two other judges. Criteria for shortlisting will include originality of theme, language skills and construction of the article.

There is a first, second and third prize for the General category, $1,500, $500 and $250 respectively. The Gippsland category has a $350 first prize and $150 second prize. Depending on the quality of the shortlisted articles, the judges have the discretion of awarding a $100 commendation prize/s.

The word limit for each article is 1,500 words and the conditions of entry and entry form can be downloaded here.

Entries must be in by Wednesday, November 9, 2009. Winners and finalists will be announced on December 7.

If you have any questions regarding the awards you should contact Peter Millard on (03) 51504203 or by email to pmillard@egtafe.vic.edu.au