Neil McCorkindale Creative Writing Competition 2025

Three schools, Bertha Park, Perth High School and Perth Grammar entered the Rotary Club of Perth Neil McCorkindale Creative Writing Competition in 2025.

The judges found it very hard to select a winner.  They were impressed by both the high standard and the diverse subject matter.  For the first time a poem was submitted.  Finally the judges unanimously selected James Grant from Perth Grammar School with his essay “The Smell of Pancakes”. #Winning_Entry_Perth_Rotary_Winning_Essay_in_2025_Creative_Writing_Competition.docx

All the students were invited to lunch with the Rotary Club of Perth members at McDiarmid Park.   Unfortunately the pupils from Bertha Park and the winner James Grant could not attend. The Rotarians present were entertained by a reading of the winning essay by Ms Eleanor Moir from Perth Grammar. It was very thought provoking and there was a collective “what happened next...” at the end. Then, the Neil McCorkindale Silver Salver and £40 gift voucher was presented to Ms Moir to pass on to James. 

All student attendees at lunch received the book “Creativity Matters.  Find your Passion for Writing” by Wendy H. Jones. 

The competition began in 2002 initiated by Perth Rotarian Neil McCorkindale, who had been a Rector at Perth Academy

Originally this was open to Secondary 5 and 6 year pupils from local state schools within Perth but, now includes pupils from independent schools in the Perth and Kinross area.