We’re delighted to announce that the winners have been announced. Congratulations!
Read the winning stories, and more about the authors.
First place – $200
Gayle Beveridge
Gayle is a past winner of the Boroondara Literary Awards and The Margaret Hazzard Short Story Award. Her work has appeared in anthologies including Storm, Award Winning Australian Writing, Sparx, Transformations, The Umbrella’s Shade, and Mosaic. Gayle is a retired accountant living on Australia’s beautiful Bass Coast and divides her time between writing, photography, bird watching and walks in the bush.
Bottled Water and Chocolate Bars
Second Place – $150 Writers Victoria course voucher
Mary-Jane Gibson
Mary-Jane is a retired special education teacher with a Masters in Learning support. She teaches creative
writing as a volunteer at Mission Australia Lismore. She has won numerous writing awards
including a 2nd in the Rolph Boldrewood, 2016, an R.D Walsh environment 2nd in 2022, a
Senior’s published story in 2023 and 2024, published in Mindfood magazine 2024, a 3rd place in Short Stories unlimited 2024, and longlisted for the Fabel world short story competition 2024. She has written nine novels, and
numerous short stories, and is a dedicated writer and passionate about the craft, always looking for ways to improve.
Third Place – $50 Collins voucher
Oona McManus
Oona McManus is a Canadian American who lives on Wurrundjeri land in Naarm/Melbourne. She works as a data analyst at Amnesty International Australia. In her spare time, she hides in a closet to read books and write stories in ten minute intervals before her children find her and request snacks.
Gippsland Writers Award – two years regional membership to Writers Victoria
Jonathan Williams
Jonathan lives on Brayakaulung/Gunaikurnai country, where he spends much of his time gardening, swimming in creeks, joining various community groups and walking the hills and plains. He co-edits the audio zine Queer Out Here and has sporadically published short audio and written works in the UK, Australia and online. He has a PhD in Culture and Communication.