RAW Arts Awards
Since 1997, the RAW Arts Awards have celebrated the creativity of young artists, writers, performers and film makers.
The RAW Arts Awards, a City of Greater Bendigo Initiative, are committed to fostering the talents and artistic pursuits of young people in the region.
Awards are given to entrants in 4 categories:
- Visual Arts
- Literature
- Short Film (previously called Digital Media)
- Performing Arts
On this page we have the books prepared as mementos of the RAW Arts Awards, 2020 to 2025, as well as a list of past winners.
Applications for RAW 2027 will open in early February and close 3 May. Details will be on this page.
For information about RAW Arts email [email protected] or call +61 3 5434 6478.
2026 RAW Arts Awards
2026 RAW Arts Awards Announcement and Showcase took place at The Capital on Thursday June 4 at 6pm, with the RAW Exhibition open at Dudley House from Friday June 5 to Monday June 8.
When the RAW book is completed all participants will be advised as to how they collect their copy. A pdf version of the book will also be loaded to this page.
In the meantime - we have the RAW literature entries and a slide-show of the RAW Artwork.
2025 RAW Arts Awards Catalogue
2024 RAW Arts Awards Catalogue
2023 RAW Arts Awards catalogue
2022 RAW Arts Awards catalogue
2021 RAW Arts Awards catalogue
2020 RAW Arts Awards catalogue
Past winners
The RAW Arts have been running since 1997. See below for details of winners arranged by category.
Visual arts
- 2026: Isabella Hocking: "Grumpy old Lady", pencil
2025: Geordie Gem Williamson - 2024: Sofie Sawka
- 2023: Bethany Mansfield
- 2022: Leah Sigley
- 2021: Lilly Skipper
- 2020: Tahlia McCuskey
- 2019: Eve Fetherstonhaugh
- 2018: Michael Watson
- 2017: Star Wanyama
- 2016: Indi Wild
- 2015: Vanessa Pieper
- 2014: Sarah Edwards
- 2013: Matilda Purcell
- 2012: Gemma Simpson
- 2011: Morgan McCormick
- 2010: Christopher Tay
- 2009: Ben Wheeldon
- 2008: Rebecca Gillies
- 2007: Carly Day
- 2006: Karen Annett-Thomas
- 2005: Kane White
- 2004: Carly Day
- 2003: Danielle Kerlin
Between 1997 and 2003 awards were given every second year and awarded in three age categories:
2001:
- 12-15 years: Shane Sells
- 16-20 years: Shannon Mills
- 21-26 years: Skye Leoni
1999:
- 12-15 years: Jessie Dole
- 16-20 years: Suzanne Hemphill
- 21-26 years: Joanna Bartels
1997:
- 12-16 years: Carla Milich
- 17-20 years: Suzie Marshall
- 21-25 years: Jennifer King
Literature
The literature section began as “Not the Miles Franklin Awards", and was renamed the “RAW Literary Scholarship” in 2003.
- 2026: Yasmin Russell, "Empty Nest"
- 2025: Kayla Barnfield
- 2024: Phillipa Pearse
- 2023: Anna Dunnicliff-Wells
- 2022: Samantha Johnston
- 2021: Jobe Thomson
- 2020: Alia Melgin-Hill
- 2019: Maggie Pratt-White
- 2018: Ashlyn McDonald
- 2017: Elyse Moore
- 2016: Caitlin Bissett
- 2015: Shantara Johnstone
- 2014: Gemma Simpson
- 2013: Tawney Leithhead-Craigie
- 2012: Emily Tatti
- 2011: Emily Tatti
- 2010: Tobias Mambwe
- 2009: Amber Holmes
- 2008: James WF Roberts
- 2007: Nicholas Walsh
- 2005: Erin Wyatt
- 2004: Lisa Martin
- 2003: Tilby Vernon
Between 1997 and 2003 awards were given every second year and awarded in three age categories:
2001:
- 12-15 years: Ben Wheeldon
- 16-20 years: Lyndon Morely
- 21-26 years: Tora Spanberger
1999:
- 12-15 years: Estmund Mambwe
- 16-20 years: Corey Hague
- 21-26 years: Ben Milne
1997: Glenn Morris and Esther Coultas
Short Film
This award was originally called the Burning Shorts – Short Film Awards. The title was changed to RAW Arts Awards, Digital Media in 2008 and in 2022 the title was changed to Short Film.
- 2026: Jordan Spencer, "Dagon"
- 2025: Tilda Picken, "Stand There"
- 2024: Coen Gould, "Hunted"
- 2023: Sara Hancock
- 2022: Ben Martin
- 2021: Leroy Miller
- 2020: Mitchell Cook
- 2019: Jasper Turpie
- 2018: Luke Rowlatt
- 2017: Adam Hartshorn
- 2016: Adam Hartshorn
- 2015: Michael Bowley
- 2014: Isaebella Doherty
- 2013: Michael Bowley
- 2012: Bailey Cook
- 2011: Tobias Mambwe
- 2010: Isaebella Doherty
- 2009: Patrick Hayes
- 2008: Bob Wrigley
- 2001: Jeremy Silver
Performing arts
- 2026: Matilda Wilby, Musical Theatre and Classical/Operatic vocal
- 2025: Emma Gleeson, music
- 2024: Liam Duivenvoorden, music theatre
- 2023: Ryan McPartlane
- 2022: Tara Muscatello
- 2021: Jade Cuskelly, music and theatre
- 2020: Charlie Davis-Tope, music
- 2019: Jessica Chalmers, music: singing
- 2018: Nay Ye Thwey Aung, music
- 2017: Maree Whillance, music
- 2016: Evangeline Matthews, music: violin
- 2015: Zebulun Lea, music: saxophone
- 2014: William Archibald, music: guitar
- 2013: Sarah Seery, dancing: classical ballet
- 2012: Mishalle Santos, music
- 2011: James Earl, music
- 2010: Sophie Cheeseman, music theatre
- 2009: Emma Cheeseman, dance
- 2008: Edwin Spark, music
- 2007: Cathleen Rosier, music
- 2006: Errin Arnel, classical dance
- 2005: Brett Ludeman, drama/theatre
- 2004: Jason Strahon, music: brass
- 2003: Janelle Hopman, music
YoBendigo / Ambedo Award
- 2024: Ben Martin, Setho - HOTME$$ Ft. Juiceboxx (Short Film)
- 2023: Samantha Johnston, Gluttony (Literature)
- 2022: Levity Camilleri Pose/Poise (Literature)