Competition Details
Closes 6PM AEST Friday, 1st August 2025
Maximum 1,000 words
Theme: Lost and Found
$18.50AU entry
We’re looking for stories with powerful beginnings, rising tension, and a climax that resonates, to the theme of Lost and Found.
In the spaces between loss and discovery lies a story waiting to be told. Stories about the echo of something forgotten, the flicker of something rediscovered, the threads of fate weaving absence and presence together. From physical objects with hidden histories to relationships rekindled after years of separation, the possibilities are endless. Play with unconventional storytelling and make the judges take notice.
Prize
First prize:
Second prize:
A year-long membership to the Queensland Writers Centre (valued at $79).
Third prize:
A year-long membership to the Queensland Writers Centre (valued at $79).
Fourth prize:
A year-long membership to the Queensland Writers Centre (valued at $79).
Winners who are existing QWC members will win a 12-month membership extension. Winners don’t have to be Queensland-based to enjoy the many wonderful membership benefits of the QWC.
Shortlisted and Longlisted announced.
TOP 40 published in an anthology – free digital copy to all published entrants.
(To learn more about sponsorship opportunities please contact us)
What Judges Are Looking For
Judges are Looking for the Following
Want an insight into the types of stories that win first prize and get published in our anthology?
Then grab a copy of the 2024 Anthology, The Look That Said it All. Details here.
Our judges can’t wait to read your stories!
We recommend Winning Short Story Competitions as an essential writing guide. Competition judges L. E. Daniels and C. Sawyer show what it takes to win, shortlist and longlist in competitions. Shortlist and longlist credits are just as beneficial to a writer’s career as wins are.
Who is Sydney (Syd) Hammond?
Syd Hammond appeared to be like any ordinary guy. But those who loved him, knew different. He was so much more than ordinary. Syd was born in 1937 and died in 2007, aged 70. As a teenager he taught himself to play guitar. When rock-n-roll first sounded on radio there wasn’t sheet music to follow. Syd and his mates crowded into booths at record stores. They listened keenly to identify their instruments. He hand-made his first electric guitar. He was one of the first Brisbane musicians to play music on TV.
In 1964, Syd received a bravery award for capturing one of Queensland’s most wanted criminals – Bernard Morrow. Driving in his police patrol car, Syd noticed a drunk driver. He pulled him over, and casually suggested the gent go to the police station to sleep it off before he drove any further. Bernard Morrow complied. At the station, with Bernard sleeping it off, Syd sat at a desk and a WANTED poster caught his eye. Staring back at him were the eyes of the man already locked in the cell. He orated with glee the story of luck getting him a bravery award.
Syd portrayed a quintessential Aussie spirit of larrikin, ‘give it a go, mate’, mateship, and do the best you can for your family. Syd loved Australia. He believed in standing up for what you believe in. He believed that music, art, humour and stories are the drumbeats that bring people together.
Tragedy struck in 2000 when his daughter, Julie, and son-in-law, John, were murdered by an intruder. The grief and injustice ran deep. When tragedy strikes we’re reminded of what really matters in our lives. When families are so harmed they often look to transform their heartbreak into community support for others to find the positive.
The Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition to honour his memory was founded by his family.
For Carolyn, Syd’s daughter and the Director of Hawkeye Publishing, words are held with reverence. The ability to articulate to be meaningful, thought-provoking and entertaining fosters community, understanding, change, healing, and celebrating all that should not be taken for granted.
Words are powerful, and our wish with this competition is to acknowledge talented wordsmiths and give writers the opportunity to be heard.
The competition is not-for-profit—profit from the year before is used as the following year’s prize money. Judges announce the winner, short-list, and long list. These top 45 stories are published in an anthology, and all those published receive a free copy of the book. Guidelines and entry form can be found below.
Our Sponsors
Hawkeye Publishing thanks the inaugural sponsors who made the competition possible: Tony & Christine Hammond (gold sponsors), Lynette Hammond, and Shane & Karen Traversari. We also thank our current gold sponsor: Brisbane Writers Workshop.
Thanks to our generous sponsors:
CYA Writers & Editor Conference and Queensland Writers Centre.
Hawkeye would like to thank our 2025 sponsors, the Queensland Writers Centre for their generous support of the Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Writing Competition.
Hawkeye Publishing extends a huge thank you to our Gold Sponsors of the inaugural prize in 2019, Tony and Christine Hammond (Sydney Hammond’s son and daughter-in-law), for enabling the winner’s cash prize, the printing of the 40 anthologies for the Top 40, and the cover design for the book!
And Karen & Shane Traversari – Silver sponsors – we thank you.
Hawkeye Publishing extends a big thank you to Lynette Hammond (Sydney Hammond’s daughter) for sponsoring proofreading services!
It was a family & friends affair to launch the inaugural Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition in 2019…
Editing, Page Setting, Distribution & Sales, and Publicity provided by Carolyn Martinez (Sydney Hammond’s daughter) through Hawkeye Publishing.
Read the Competition Winner’s Announcement 2024
Hawkeye is delighted to announce the winners for the 2024 Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition!
Congratulations to the 2024 Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition winners:
1st place: Saints by Jay McKenzie
‘A well-crafted story with beautiful writing and timely domestic violence themes. Disturbing yet thought-provoking.’
2nd place: Travelling with Rosie by Kellie M. Cox
‘A sweet, heart-tugging take on an end-of-life tale with the addition of letter-style prose.’
3rd place: The Shoplifter by Rebecca George
‘A cheeky story with humour, effective characterisation, and a fantastic twist.’
Honourable mention: Bracelets and Boxes and Goodbye by Alison McCaffrey
‘A well-crafted coming-of-age story with strong writing and an emotional twist.’
Honourable mention: Good Girl by Nicky Peelgrane
‘Vivid Australian setting and authentic characters with powerful conflict.’
The winning stories grabbed judges attention from the first line and presented a polished story that evoked emotion.
Entry Terms and Conditions 2025
By entering a piece in the Sydney Hammond Short Story Award – a writing competition – you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions.
Download the 2025 Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition Entry Terms and Conditions here.
