Mayor's Short Story Writing Awards
Thank you for your Stories!
Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s Mayor’s Short Story Writing Awards — we've received a record number of entries across all age groups. Your stories reflect the creativity, diversity and heart of our local community.
These Awards are about encouraging writers of all abilities and celebrating the voices that make our region unique — and this year, you’ve truly delivered. Judging will begin soon, with winners announced in September at a special celebration hosted by the brilliant Sammy J as MC.
We’re grateful to our incredible judging panel:
✒️ Barry Reynolds – acclaimed screenwriter and author
✒️ Else Fitzgerald – award-winning speculative fiction writer
✒️ Monica Dux – memoirist and social commentator
✒️ Sam-Ellen Bound – renowned author of fantasy for young readers
✒️ Coral Vass – bestselling children’s author and literacy advocate
We’re also excited to partner with Western Port Writes this year, supporting the Shortlist Committee for our 18+ entries.
Thanks to our sponsors: Antipodes Bookshop & Gallery Farrells Bookshop Petersen's Bookstore - Hastings Victoria Rosebud Book Barn.
We can’t wait to share the shortlist soon.
And the 2024 winners of the Mayor’s Short Story Writing Awards are…
Winner: Kira B – “The Forlorn Umbrella”
Highly Commended: Ernestine H – “F.”
Winner: Squid B-S – “The Underground”
Highly Commended: Aaron M – “A Geometrically Focused Visitation”
Highly Commended: Lucy T – “I Believe”
Winner: Jodie Kewley – “Milk”
Highly Commended: Peter Martin – “Winnie Blue
Highly Commended: Jackie Bos – “Thirty Seconds; Thirty Beats”
