inSITU: Darebin's Creative Writing Program
inSITU is Darebin’s annual creative writing program, full of exciting offerings for writers in Darebin to connect, build community and grow their literary practice. The program encompasses a series of writing workshops, and the creation of our annual literary magazine.
Whether you’re tinkering away in your iPhone notes app or have a published novel under your belt, the aim of this program is to provide opportunities for exploration and connection for people at all stages of their writing journey.
The 2025 inSITU program has now concluded. The series of four free two-hour workshops was facilitated by an amazing group of writers: Neika Lehman (Spacious Histories workshop), Manisha Anjali (Dreams and Poetry workshop), Jamie Marina Lau (Finding Form and Voice Across Creative Disciplines workshop) and Panda Wong (SHANZHAI Poetry workshop).
Across different forms, these workshops all directly related to the theme for our annual literary print publication, dSCRIBE. dSCRIBE 18, published in September 2025, explores the theme of “Spiralling”. The publication was edited by local poet and editor Panda Wong, with cover artwork by Jacquie Meng.
"Extending from last year’s theme 'desire lines’, 'spiralling' is about lines of rotation, return and radiance. Spiralling as in the dreaded emotional spiral, vertigo, a loop to break out of or move through. Or the ever-present spiralling in nature – how seals sleep in the ocean, the tininess of DNA, the way ants swirl themselves into death spirals, the tips of our fingers. To spiral is to ascend, descend and be in constant motion. It expands, shifts, and opens us up to alternative times, spaces, ways of seeing and feeling." - Panda Wong, dSCRIBE 18 Editor
Learn more about dSCRIBE:
Make sure you follow us on Instagram @darebin_arts and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date!
About our community consultation
In 2023 we conducted some research and consulted with our community, speaking to local writers from all walks of life. We ran a focus group with writers in Darebin and industry professionals, asking them how Council could best support the literary community and sector. We got some incredible feedback that has informed the shape of the new program.
This illustration by Maddison Kitching was created during that conversation:
Darebin Mayor's Writing Awards
2025 Award winners
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Winner: Bradley Visaka David: "Ode to Flinders St, Wurundjeri (Thornbury)"
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Honourable Mention: Abbra Kotlarczyk: "Eponymous Tree [Excerpt]"
2024 Award winners
- Liza Dezfouli - Baby Bird (Winner)
- Terry Donnelly - The Fire Within (Runner Up)
- Haneen Mahmood Martin - Map of Kuala Lumpur, 2000 (Runner Up)
Read about our 2023 Award winners(PDF, 185KB)
Read about our 2022 Award winners(PDF, 243KB)
Read about our 2021 Award winners(PDF, 141KB)
Read about our 2020 Award winners(PDF, 102KB)
'Contemplating my transition, and you, in the bathroom at a party' by Alice Lumsden
Darebin Mayor's Writing Award Winner (Youth aged 15-17 category)
'Kingfishers at Merri Creek' by Meadow Rodriguez
Darebin Mayor's Writing Award Winner (Youth 12-14 category)
Watch on YouTube
'Sometimes Mountain, Sometimes Sea' by Madison Pawle
Darebin Mayors Writing Award 2023 Winner (Adult category)
Watch on YouTube
'The Landlord' by William Stanforth
Darebin Mayor's Writing Award 2023 Highly Commended (Adult category)
Watch on YouTube
'We Sing Anyway' by Nick Ling
Darebin Mayor's Writing Award 2023 Highly Commended (Adult category)
Watch on YouTube