2025 Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition Winners Announcement
Hawkeye is delighted to announce the winners for the 2025 Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition!
The judges have deliberated over the shortlist to decide on the winners for this year’s Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition. Thank you to this year’s judges: editors Catherine Rankin, Clarice Lo, James Cresswell, Shane Werne, and Managing Editor Carolyn Martinez.
Carolyn Martinez says, ‘I had the pleasure this year of reading the top 10 place-getters (the shortlist) in the Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition to choose the winner, second place, and third place-getter. I must commend all 10 writers. In all stories, the grammar and sentence structure are excellent, the interpretations of the theme – lost and found – are original and highly readable. Each story contains some stand-out sentences that breathe life with their eloquence and vivid world-building. Five of the stories went deeper into show, not tell, and the three stories I chose as the top three place-getters achieved heightened tension in addition to all the other great qualities of the top 10 stories. Congratulations to the winner, place getters and all short-listed writers on exceptional storytelling.’
Judges have narrowed down the entries and decided on first, second and third place as well as two honourable mentions. Hawkeye would like to congratulate the winning entrants on their achievement.
Congratulations to the 2025 Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition winners:
1st place: Windows into Memory by Des Brady
‘A well-crafted story with beautiful writing and timely domestic violence themes. Disturbing yet thought-provoking.’
2nd place: Once More by Fibiandini Yustiana
‘A sweet, heart-tugging take on an end-of-life tale with the addition of letter-style prose.’
3rd place: The Rabbit by Kylie Kaden
‘A cheeky story with humour, effective characterisation, and a fantastic twist.’
Honourable mention: You Broke Me by Jared Kranz
‘A well-crafted coming-of-age story with strong writing and an emotional twist.’
Honourable mention: Loss by Kenneth J Johnson
‘Vivid Australian setting and authentic characters with powerful conflict.’
Please join us in congratulating the winners. With 181 entries this year, it’s a significant achievement. These entrants achieved highly in all areas of the competition, including writing ability, addressing the theme, and creating rising tension. The winning stories grabbed judges' attention from the first line and presented a polished story that evoked emotion.
The longlisted stories will be published in an anthology titled If Found, Please Return, with the cover design inspired by the winning story.
Longlisted entrants will each receive one complimentary eBook copy. Pre-order your physical copy here. This is a limited-edition publication and is only available through pre-orders until 31 December 2025.
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