StoryFest’s storytelling competition opened 27 January 2021 and this year’s theme is The Guardian Tree. The Storytelling Competition is open to all Shoalhaven residents and has categories for primary school students, secondary school students, and adults.

The winning and shortlisted writers are listed below. Festival Director Meredith Jaffé said, ‘I never cease to be amazed by the wide variety of interpretation around the theme. This year we chose The Guardian Tree as a way to explore loss and healing to reflect on the impact of the recent bushfires and the pandemic, and how these extremes can shape our future. Again, we thank Murramarang Yuin Woman and artist Lea Brook for her wonderful and inspiring design.'‘

The judging panel congratulates everyone whose story made it to the shortlist in each category. These stories were considered to best reflect the overarching principles of the StoryFest storytelling competition – creativity and originality.

President of the Rotary Club of Milton Ulladulla, Leonie Corrin-Smith, said, ‘It is inspiring how many talented writers we have living in the Shoalhaven region. Once again, Rotary is delighted to support the StoryFest storytelling competition and especially to see so many wonderful stories each and every year from our school students.’

You can read the winning and shortlisted stories below.

Congratulations to our 2021 winners!

Primary Category

FIRST - The Guardian Tree by Elijah Clarke

SECOND - The Guardian Tree by Tully H Lonard

THIRD - Untitled by Lily Sproule

HONOUR ROLL
Untitled by Evie Starkey
The Guardian Tree by Matilda Wilde
The Sacred Tree by Tully Williams