The annual My Brother Jack Awards, launched in 1996 as an Australia-wide short story competition, recognise the outstanding literary achievements of people who live, work or study in Glen Eira.  

From first time storytellers to more experienced writers, the Awards — which received over 1000 entries this year — celebrate local talent and the stories that shape our community.  

“It was a privilege to be taken to so many places and stand in the shoes of so many different characters,” notes judge Eliza Henry-Jones. 

Prizes are awarded for short stories and poetry in the categories of Junior Primary; Senior Primary; Junior Secondary; Senior Secondary; and Open.   

This year’s Awards were judged by leading literary figures Eliza Henry-Jones, Grace Yee, Joel McKerrow and Paul Dalgarno.  

Congratulations to all of the participants!  

For more information, visit library.gleneira.vic.gov.au/whats-on/my-brother-jack-awards

Short Story

Junior Primary Short Story judged by Eliza Henry-Jones  

• First prize: Chocolate Surprise by Lachlan Campbell  

• Highly commended: Churchill The Dragon by Olympia Kee  

• Highly commended: I Need a Drink! By Felicia Pfleger  

• Highly commended: The Mystery Book by Abi Thirugnanam 

Secondary Primary Short Story judged by Eliza Henry-Jones 

• First prize: How Many Steps by Shu Lin  

• Highly commended: The Land at the Bottom by Avyaan Dhar  

• Highly commended: The Red Storm by Mia Singer  

• Highly commended: Windsurfer by James Lipchin 

Junior Secondary Short Shory judged by Paul Dalgarno  

• First prize: Cold by Olivia Acfield  

• Highly commended: Autumn by Abigail Winarta 

• Highly commended: If I Disappear by Rafaella Chait  

• Highly commended: A second breath by Manaswi Behara 

Senior Secondary Short Story judged by Paul Dalgarno  

• First prize: One Hell of a Trip by Estelle Lebeau  

Open Short Story judged by Paul Dalgarno  

• First prize: Abduction Day by Hamish Plaggemars 

• Second prize: That Time of the Month by Alyce Adams 

• Third prize: Bishops by Oscar Revelins 

• Highly commended: Yellow by Robert Gudan 

• Highly commended: The Extra by Shoni Bruell 

• Highly commended: South Road Life by Sean Murphy

Poetry

Junior Primary Poetry judged by Grace Yee  

• First prize: The Somersaulting Cloud by Sasha Krapf 

• Highly commended: Penguins in Antarctica by Nalini Rendall 

• Highly commended: Please, Thank You, You're Welcome by Xavier Duarte 

• Highly commended: Rain by Radmehr Zamani 

Senior Primary Poetry judged by Grace Yee  

• First prize: Eau de Toilette by Winston Kee 

• Highly commended: Different by Minana Mhlanga 

• Highly commended: Misunderstood by Jack Klarin 

• Highly commended: Star-Bound Bond by Artemis Liang 

Junior Secondary Poetry judged by Joel McKerrow  

• First prize: Creased Memories by Millie Drabkin 

• Highly commended: At the Pier, Waiting for Apologies by Hili Segev 

• Highly commended: Hello привет and hallo by Sasha Dubin 

Senior Secondary Poetry judged by Joel McKerrow  

• First prize: How to Become an Ocean by Lily Bree 

• Highly commended: Love is a Two Way Beachwalk by Minh Hoang 

Open Poetry judged by Joel McKerrow  

• First prize: Luchi by Aparna Mitra 

• Second prize: In Mum's Garden by Naomi Zander 

• Third prize: Gynandromorphism by Jo Toner 

• Highly commended: Gallbladder by Alika Mogilevsky