Results: Mayor's Short Story Writing Awards 2023

30 Shortlisted writers were invited to the Awards Ceremony

SEE: Peninsula pens produce powerhouse prose – Mornington Peninsula Magazine

On Wednesday 30 August, talented writers from across the Peninsula came together at Somerville Mechanics Hall for the Mayor Short Story Writing Awards ceremony. This year, we received a record breaking 200 entries for this popular literary award. Judges Garry Disher, Else Fitzgerald, Monica Dux, Sam-Ellen Bound and Coral Vass read their way through funny, suspenseful, heart-warming and moving creative fiction stories.

Together with the Peninsula Writers’ Club (PWC), we are excited to announce the winners:

18+ Years
Winner: Jodie Kewley, All There Is
Highly commended: Sean Kelly, The Good Boy

13 – 17 Years

Winner: Camryn S, The Garden of Lost Stories
Highly commended: Maya E-J, The Mysterious Disappearances of Wonga
Highly commended: Georgia H, Blooming

8 – 12 Years
Winner: Macy A-W, Feather
Highly commended: Aaron M, The Raccoon

Thank you to long-time sponsors of the Mayor’s Short Story Awards Antipodes Bookshop, Rosebud Book Barn, Farrell Bookshop and Petersen’s Bookstore for providing vouchers to all winners and highly commended writers.

In addition to receiving bookstore vouchers, Jodie Kewley won $1,000 and a two-week Police Point Artist Residency and Camryn Small and Macy Allen-Wallace each won $500.

Read the winning stories at mornpen.vic.gov.au/writingawards