MORNINTON Peninsula’s emerging and established writers have been recognised at the sixth annual Mayor’s Short Story Writing Awards, with a record-breaking 305 entries showcasing the depth of local literary talent.
The awards ceremony was held at Flinders Civic Hall on 16 September and hosted by comedian, writer and performer Sammy J.
The Mayor’s Short Story Writing Awards continue to nurture creativity, encourage storytelling and celebrate the diverse voices of emerging writers across the Mornington Peninsula. This year’s record number of entries highlights the growing strength of the region’s literary community.
Mayor Stephen Batty congratulated all entrants, shortlisted writers and winners.
“Each year, these awards reveal the incredible imagination, talent and creativity that exists throughout our community,” Cr Batty said. “Congratulations to all our winners and shortlisted writers for sharing their unique voices and stories.”
8-12 Years Category
Winner: Florence Seith for Forgot-me-not
(excerpt) Iridescent droplets rained down from the sky, drawing white tracks through the dirt on the old man’s face, creating rivers in the deep crevices of his wrinkles, wetting his ragged hair and soaking his filthy tuxedo. Shivers ran down his spine. But still, he forced himself to look up and face the world that had betrayed him.
Water misted his eyes and flashes of memory raced through his mind of a life once lived. Long gone now but as deeply written into him as the wrinkles on his brow, he felt tiny hands gripping his own, blissful waves as school shoes clapped down the driveway and the chime of glasses as the sun set sitting next to a woman with bright blue eyes. Yes, he had lived.
Light streaked through the sky. Rain turned to hail shooting down on him like bullets reminding him of the night he lost it all.
Highly commended: Maya Lin for Blazing Blooms and Alex Thomson for A World without Dragons
13-17 Years Category
Winner: Ahlia Oliveira da Silveira for Out Here
(excerpt) Out here, things are dealt with. Fences sag, animals get in, crops get torn through, and you fix it or you lose it. A man is measured by what he carries and what he holds steady and what he can finish, and there is no use for leaving things half done, no use for softness, not out here.
The house sits low against the land; rusted metal holding itself together beneath the scorch, bucket and blow of the restless sky. The carport is empty.
Boots sink deep the moment the boy steps off the deck, the ground as warm and claggy as porridge after a summer drenching, clinging to each step. Trying to stop him.
The rifle hangs too heavy from a shoulder too narrow to carry it. He leans into its weight the way his father does, so that it presses close against him and urges him forward.
Highly commended: Ada Dynes for Split
18+ Years Category
Winner: Damian Perry for Faded
(excerpt) We tried to include him in everything that week. He’d sit on a comfy chair – we could see the indentation – and we’d ask him questions. But, not being all there, it took him awhile to answer any questions. And the answers didn’t always make sense.
It hurt to see him like that. My father, always so completely full of life, was now empty. I got out of the beach house in the mornings and walked for at least an hour before coming back to the house, to face the spectre that used to ride a motorcycle to work. The man who hardly flinched when he was kicked in the chest by a cow.
Christmas morning was the worst. It was the Santa hat, resting in space, just above the indentation in the comfy couch. We opened our presents. Waved them at him in thanks and looked for a response. But he was having a bad day and he wasn’t reacting. I haven’t enjoyed Christmas since.
Highly commended: Gwen Luscombe for The Bench and Suzanne Barmos for Epidermis
Mornington Peninsula Shire thanks the Shortlist Committee of the Western Port Writes Literary Festival for its assistance in delivering this year’s awards.
Gratitude is extended to local bookshop sponsors Farrells Bookshop, Petersen’s Bookstore and Rosebud Book Barn, along with judges Coral Vass, Megan Rogers, Jaclyn Crupi, Brendan Murray and Sofie Laguna, for their generosity, expertise and commitment to celebrating local writing excellence.
Congratulations to all shortlisted writers and winners whose stories inspire, entertain and connect readers through the power of the written word.
To read the award-winning stories in full, visit: artsandculture.mornpen.vic.gov.au/msswa
First published in the Mornington News – 22 September 2026
