The 2018 anthology is now on sale
Congratulations to all the prizewinners:
First Prize – sponsored by the University of Newcastle, awarded to Shaynah Andrews (pictured R with Prof Darrell Evans and Ryan O’Neill, judge)
Here is an excerpt from her winning story ‘Not for Me to Understand’:
My blood feels too hot. I want to beat my fists against Dad for treating me like a kid. I smash a cup on the kitchen tiles, half on purpose. There are little bits of glass all around me. Dad and Linda rush into the room.
‘I’m sorry, it was an accident,’ I say.
‘It’s OK, possum,’ says Dad. I want him to yell and scream at me but he is gentle. ‘I’ll clean this up darlin’, just get away from all the glass. Careful now.’
Dad and Linda hover over plastic dustpans. I walk out the front door and ride my pushie to the beach with Ellie behind me.
Cassie Hamer (R) won second prize donated by Newcastle Law Society represented by Sally Davies (L)
L to R: Megan Buxton, HWC President, Ryan O’Neill, judge, Kate Griffith from sponsor Westfield Kotara
Wayne Strudwick, Commended award winner for his story ‘Postcard‘
Shawn Sherlock, Foghorn Brewhouse donated the Highly Commended awarded to Jane O’Sullivan
Amanda Shirley from MacLean’s Booksellers donated the Highly Commended awarded to Tanya Vavilova
M.J. Reidy (pictured here with judge Ryan O’Neill) won a Commended award donated by Dymocks, Charlestown.
Derice McDonald from Macquariedale Organic Wines donated a $120 wine pack awarded to Rhona Hammond, local writer’s award.
Local Award Winners Shaynah Andrews, Edyn Carter and Stephanie Holm
