Learning and Teaching 

Mayor's Short Story Writing Awards

Dear Parents,

We are excited to invite our students to take part in the 2026 Mayor’s Short Story Writing Awards! This wonderful opportunity encourages young writers to showcase their creativity, imagination and storytelling skills.

The Awards aim to encourage and support local and emerging writers of all abilities, whilst also celebrating our diverse creative talents.

Students are invited to craft an original short story on a topic of their choice, allowing them to explore their voice as authors while applying the writing skills they have been developing in class. Participation in this competition supports students to plan, draft, edit and publish a polished piece of writing for an authentic audience, an experience that can be both motivating and rewarding.

Entries will be judged on creativity, structure, language, and originality, with selected stories recognised at a special awards ceremony. We encourage all students who enjoy writing to get involved and give it a go!

If you are interested in this short story writing competition, here are the details;

The Awards aim to encourage and support local and emerging writers of all abilities, whilst also celebrating our diverse creative talents.

The Awards are open to Mornington Peninsula residents aged eight and up. Entries close strictly and midnight, Tuesday 30th June.

Award categories and prizes:

(All prizes funded by the Shire)

8-12 years

500 word limit/short creative fiction only. Prize $500  and bookstore voucher.

13-17 years

1000 word limit/short creative fiction only. Prize $800 and bookstore voucher.

To learn more and submit your short story, go to

mornpen.vic.gov.au/writingawards   

Kind regards

Megan Barber