Country Press NSW is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year with a new, free writing competition open to primary and secondary school students, as well as adults, living in the readership areas of the Country Press NSW newspaper network.

As The Bugle newspaper is part of this network, Kiama LGA residents are encouraged to enter and showcase the abundant talent this area has to offer.

Short stories entered may cover any topic or theme and be set in any time period, but must include one special element: the words "local newspaper" must be included as part of the story.

The word limit for primary school students is 300 words, for secondary students it is 750 words, and for adults, it is 3000 words.

The competition is open now, and entry forms can be picked up from the Bugle offices or downloaded from the Country Press NSW website: cpnsw.org.au. Entries close on July 4.

Country Press NSW President Lucie Peart urges anyone who can to take part in celebrating this important milestone in NSW history.

“In 1900, local newspapers were the primary source of news for country residents of this State, and all these years later, that remains true: our member newspapers remain trusted news providers, owned by country people, and always here to support and encourage rural and regional NSW,” says Ms Peart.

“So, help us celebrate this milestone by being part of our writing competition; you can get inspiration from the pages of our many newspapers situated in all parts of country New South Wales!”

Judging of the Country Press NSW 125th Anniversary Writing Competition will be carried out by the leading creative writing organisation, the Fellowship of Australian Writers (NSW). FAW (NSW) will provide a panel of judges from its 14 country branches.