2023 Mayors' Short Story Challenge Winners Announced
An initiative of Alexandrina Council, City of Victor Harbor and the District Council of Yankalilla, the Challenge encourages school-aged students from reception to year 10 to let their imaginations run wild and share stories through creative writing.
517 entries were received from the City of Victor Harbor, 403 from the Alexandrina Council, and 176 from District Council of Yankalilla.
The 2023 Mayors’ Short Story Challenge winners were revealed at a celebration held at the Victor Harbor Council Chambers on Thursday, September 7. More than 180 individuals gathered from all across the Fleurieu Peninsula to recognise the talented work of each and every participant.
Winners in each category received a $50 book voucher and the overall winner from each Council area received an additional prize of a $50 book voucher. Each overall winner's home school was further awarded $1000 from their local Council.
In presenting the awards, the Mayors of each Council commended those children who accepted the challenge and demonstrated their creative writing abilities. They also thanked the three public libraries for coordinating the challenge, as well as the principals, teacher-librarians, teachers, and student service officers who played key roles in encouraging the students to participate and showcase their talents.
The prizes were provided by the respective Councils and ‘Friends of the Library’ groups.
Mayors' Short Story Challenge 2023 Results
Ayla Gillies from Investigator College was the overall winner for the City of Victor Harbor.
Reception to Year 2 Category Shortlist
Florence Trevorrow - Investigator College - The Green Flamingo (section winner)
Laszlo Wheeler - Investigator College - The Dragon and the Knight
Thomas Hutchinson - Encounter Lutheran College - The Misterys of Wally Duck
Benjamin Steele - Encounter Lutheran College - The Dragons of the Great Barrier Reef
Year 3 to Year 4 Category Shortlist
April Bailey - Investigator College - When you wish upon a star
Kalani Chaffey - Victor Harbor Primary School - Bob’s life in Nafalafagas
Bethany Daniels - Investigator College - The Odd Hermit Crab (section winner)
Hugh Owen - Investigator College - Back in time
Year 5 to Year 7 Category Shortlist
Chloe Duce - Investigator College - The Trip
Ayla Gillies - Investigator College - Benny the Robin (section winner)
Rose Harty - Investigator College - Amethyst and the moon
Murray Lang - Home School - Poor Ned
Year 8 to Year 10 Category Shortlist
Ivy McGivern - Victor Harbor High School - Champions (section winner)
Cody Gibson - Victor Harbor High School - Bleeding Sand
Sienna Lucas - Victor Harbor High School - Crackling Stairs
Takaya Norris - Victor Harbor High School - The life of a lollipop