The Queensland Men’s Shed Association (QMSA) with support from the Coolum Men’s Shed, is proud to present the Men’s Shed Song Writing Competition 26 The competition is open to members of Men’s Sheds across Queensland.

MEN’S SHED SONGWRITING COMPETITION 2026 RULES

Key Dates

  • Entries open: Monday 1 June 2026

  • Entries close: 12 noon, Friday 31 July 2026

Prizes

  • Winner: $XXX

  • Runner-up: $XXX

  • Winning songs will be performed LIVE at the Coolum Men’s Shed Festival – “Shed Music 26” (16–18 October 2026)

Who can Enter

  • If you are a current member of a Queensland Men’s Shed

  • If you were a member on or before 31 December 2025

How to Enter

Submit your entry by 31 July 2026 using the QMSA online entry form and upload your song and lyrics. You will need to:

  • Completed the online entry form

  • Upload an MP3 recording of your song

  • Upload a written copy of the lyrics (in .pdf or Word format)

Entry limits

  • One song per entry form

  • Maximum of two entries per person

File naming

  • Please label your song and lyric files clearly using your name and song title (e.g. JohnSmith_MySong.mp3, JohnSmith_Lyrics.docx).

Your Song

  • Must be original (lyrics and music)

  • You can collaborate with others (they don’t have to be Shed members)

  • You must declare any collaboration

  • No AI-generated lyrics or music

  • Song must be able to be performed live in a simple format (no backing tracks)

  • Any genre welcome.

Judging

Songs will be judged as a complete piece (lyrics and music together), using the below criteria:

  • Lyrics (clarity, originality, meaning)

  • Tune (memorable and suits the lyrics)

  • Structure (flows well as a song)

  • Live performance suitability

  • Overall impact

The highest total score wins. Judges’ decisions are final; no correspondence will be entered into.

What Happens Next

  • Judging completed by 28 August 2026

  • Winners notified privately before public announcement

  • Results will be announced at the Shed Music 26 Festival

Please don’t publicly share results before the official announcement.

LIVE Performance at the Festival

  • Winner and runner-up will perform their songs live

  • Final arrangements to be coordinated with QMSA

Ownership

  • You retain full ownership of your song

  • QMSA does not claim any commercial rights

  • By entering you give QMSA permission to promote your song and any photographs taken at the festival during your performance as part of the Songwriting and Music Festival publicity.

Important Notes

  • Entries must follow all rules to be accepted

  • QMSA is not involved in private agreements between collaborators

  • Non-winning entries will be deleted after the event

Acknowledgement

This competition is proudly presented by the Queensland Men’s Shed Association (QMSA) with support from Coolum Men’s Shed.

Special thanks to Merv Elliott from the Maroochy Men’s Shed, for developing the concept and managing the inaugural competition in 2025.