Competitions
Mayors' Short Story Competition
The Mayors’ Short Story Challenge is a wonderful collaboration between the City of Victor Harbor, Alexandrina Council and the District Council of Yankalilla, celebrating creative writing. The “Challenge” is held during term two each year for school aged children, from Reception to Year 10. Each year the Mayors’ Short Story Challenge gets bigger & better thanks to the support of our wonderful schools.
A big THANK YOU to the Friends of the Victor Harbor Library and the Disability and Access Inclusion Committee who donate the section winner prizes with a $50 book voucher each year.
Entries open at the start of Term 2, each year, for all schools in the Council the area.
2026 Competition Details
The Challenge opens in Term 2 on Monday, 27 April 2026 and closes on Friday, 12 June 2026.
Entry is open to all registered school aged children (Reception to Year 10) in the City of Victor Harbor, Alexandrina Council and District Council of Yankalilla.
In 2024 the City of Victor Harbor included two new categories to the Challenge. The categories Special Options Students, for Primary and High School level, are a welcome addition and encourage students with a disability to submit creative writing entries. Refer to the Criteria Section for eligibility terms.
Entries must be submitted to your school’s Council area library by 5pm Friday, 12 June 2026.
Information Letter for Teachers/Parents
The Mayors' Short Story Challenge 2026 Results
This year the Victor Harbor Public Library received 400 entries from across the Victor Harbor region! We would like to thank all the Principals, Teacher-Librarians, Teachers, and Student Services Officers involved who encouraged their students to enter.
Shortlisted Entries and Winners
Victor Harbor Special Options - High School
Raymond Harris | Victor Harbor High School | Hellboy: New York Detective |
Ollie Hueppauff | Victor Harbor High School | Bunnings Gone Bonkers |
Riely Felix Lawson | Victor Harbor High School | A Famous Narrative |
| Jaxson Monks | Victor Harbor High School | The Miami Butcher |
Victor Harbor Reception to Year 2 Section
Joey Smith | Encounter Lutheran College | The Trip to Maccas |
James Murphy | Victor Harbor Primary School | The Lost Dragon Egg |
Piper Bonser | Investigator College | The Windy Day |
Evie Caddle | Victor Harbor Primary School | Dragon Girl |
Victor Harbor Year 3 to Year 4 Section
Harriet Nicholson | Encounter Lutheran College | A Big Problem |
Neorah Robin | Victor Harbor Primary School | A Friendly Dragon |
Rose Wilson | Victor Harbor Primary School | The Sketch Book |
Johnny Ducrou | Encounter Lutheran College | The Accident |
Victor Harbor Year 5 to Year 7 Section
Penny Hubbard | Victor Harbor Primary School | Hidden Amber |
George Swan | Victor Harbor Primary School | The war within |
Bryce Greasley | Investigator College | The Mysterious Murder |
Annabelle Twelftree | Encounter Lutheran College | Whisper in the Wind |
Victor Harbor Year 8 to Year 10
Elsie McKeand | Victor Harbor High School | The Wave that Set Me Free |
Millie Walker | Victor Harbor High School | Pieces of Memory Original |
Ruben Croft | Encounter Lutheran College | Untitled Story |
Stella Walsh | Investigator College | The Experiment |
Victor Harbor Overall Joint Winners: Elsie McKeand & Millie Walker - Victor Harbor High School
Victor Harbor High School received a prize of $1000 to use toward their school Library resources.
Congratulations to all who entered!
To view the results for Alexandrina Council and the District Council of Yankalilla please visit their websites.