2023 Mayors’ Short Story Challenge Winners Announced!

At the 2023 Mayors' Short Story Challenge Presentation, young writers from across the region were recognised and celebrated for their talents.

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.

Mayor’s Short Story Challenge 2023 Results:

Reception to Year 2 – Hugo Vaughan, Year 1, Yankalilla Area School

Year 3 to Year 4 – Emma Potter, Year 4, Rapid Bay Primary School

Year 5 to Year 7 – Tayla Deacon, Year 6, Myponga Primary School

Year 8 to Year 10 – Lilly Wenham, Year 9, Yankalilla Area School

Overall Winner - Emma Potter, Year 4, Rapid Bay Primary School