Do you have a story to tell?

Published on 10 April 2025

Are you the next Trent Dalton? Does the work of Liane Moriarity inspire you? We are very proud to present the Mayor’s Short Story Writing Awards for 2025!  

Celebrating its fifth year, the Awards aim to encourage and support local emerging writers of all abilities and celebrate our diverse creative talent.

The Awards are open to Mornington Peninsula residents aged eight and up. So, if you’re a budding writer or want to get your creative juices flowing, we invite you to enter.

Entries open next week on Monday 14 April, closing strictly at midnight on Monday 30 June 2025. 

Submissions will be judged by the notable writers and authors Barry Reynolds, Else Fitzgerald, and Monica Dux for 18+ years submissions, Sam-Ellen Bound for 13-17 years and Coral Vass for 8-12 years.

We are pleased to be partnering again this year with Westernport Writes Literary Festival for our Shortlist Committee.

A shortlist for all three categories will be announced on Monday 28 July. Winners and highly commended writers will be presented their prizes at an Award Ceremony in September.  

Award categories and prizes:  

• 8 – 12 years 
  500-word limit / short creative fiction only 
  $500 prize (funded by the Shire) and bookstore vouchers 

• 13 – 17 years 
  1000-word limit / short creative fiction only 
  $500 prize (funded by the Shire) and bookstore vouchers 

• Adults (18+) 
  2,000-word limit / short creative fiction only 
  $1,000 prize, bookstore voucher and two-week Police Point Artist Residency (funded by the Shire). 

How do I enter?  

The Mayor’s Short Story Writing Awards are open to Mornington Peninsula residents only. Remember, there’s only one entry per person.

To learn more and to submit your short story, go to: mornpen.vic.gov.au/writingawards  

Award Sponsors:

Mornington Peninsula Shire is proudly funding the prize money and the residency at Police Point, while bookstore vouchers have been generously donated by local businesses Antipodes Gallery & Bookshop, Farrell’s Bookshop, Petersen’s Bookstore, and Rosebud Book Barn. 
 
Awards partner:  

Shortlist Committee Partner, Western Port Writes Literary Festival.  

Quote attributable to Mayor Councillor Anthony Marsh:  

“These Awards play an important role in encouraging, nurturing and recognising local literary talent, particularly in younger people. Literacy opens the mind, encourages curiosity and creativity, enables us to exchange information and ideas, and develops critical thinking.  

“I’d like to thank our much-loved local bookstores Antipodes Gallery & Bookshop, Farrell’s Bookshop, Petersen’s Bookstore, and Rosebud Book Barn. A special thanks as well to our Shortlist Committee, Western Port Writes Literary Festival.”  

Quotes attributable to prior winners:  

“It is often a moment in life where you are so full of emotions, utter shock, that leaves a mark, a day you can not forget. Winning the competition was not only an honor, but such a boost of motivation to go out there and write, even if it is just for a bit of feedback.”  - Kira Brauckmann, Winner 8-12 Years, 2024  

“Winning the award last year was an absolutely incredible experience, which I absolutely treasure. Also, incredible buffet.” - Squid Balint-Smith, Winner 13-17 Years, 2024 

“The Short Story Writing Awards allowed me to rediscover my passion for stories and the fulfillment that writing provides me. I highly encourage any young person living on the Mornington Peninsula to explore their voice as a storyteller and share what is important to them through this wonderful opportunity.” - Camryn Small, Winner 13-17 Years, 2023  

“I was thrilled to have my work selected for the MSSWA! The win boosted my confidence, reinforced my desire to succeed as a writer and the generous prizes, the Police Point Residency was brilliant; an unforgettable experience that’s had a tremendous impact on my writing.” - Suzi Mezei, Highly Commended, 2023 and Winner A18+, 2022  

“So many good things have flowed as a result of my having won the Mayor's Award that I find it difficult to encapsulate them in a sentence or two, but the main one has been the positive and often heartfelt response to ‘All there is’ by the judges, my peers and the public, which I have found both humbling and encouraging. And the opportunity to have two weeks at Police Point in which to do nothing but write is a dream come true.” - Jodie Kewley, Winner 18+, 2023