One of our aldermen is a best-selling novelist, another resident has been shortlisted for a national award, and two Katherine students have won the Territory author of the year award in the past three years. 

But today it was Jemima Devereux’s turn in the literary spotlight. 

The 12-year-old St Joseph’s College student was awarded as the Katherine region winner for the 2017 Young Territory Author awards. 

Deputy Mayor Peter Gazey read the award winning book Stuck this afternoon at the Katherine Public Library. 

Ms Devereux said she was excited to be recognised for her achievement. 

“I heard about it at school and decided to enter myself, we all entered as a class in 2015,” Ms Devereux said. 

“I dedicated the book to my friend because we are going to write a book together, and she always helps me out.

“The story is about a boy who faces all of these challenges but then finds out it is all a dream,” she said.

The aim of the author awards is to provide an avenue for young Territory authors to share their writings and have them recognised as pieces of literary worth.

The young author’s mother Carolyn Devereux said she had no idea her daughter had won until they announced her name at the awards ceremony in Darwin. 

“I was so excited, it was pretty quiet but I couldn’t help yelling out,” she said. 

“We are really proud of her. I hope she continues with the path she is on and keeps writing.”