Prizes - Verandah 26


All prize winners for Verandah 26 will receive: $150 cash, a copy of Art & Soul by Hetti Perkins, a copy of Shooting Star by Jade Pandora, a Wet Ink Magazine subscription, a copy of the Griffith Review and a selection of other books.

The winner of the Editors’ Choice Award will also receive a $100 book voucher from Wakefield Press.

All prizes have been supplied by our wonderful sponsors.

 

This Year's Winners

 

THE MATTHEW ROCCA POETRY PRIZE
Violence by Deanne Davies.

This poem has an impact which surpasses its length. The simplicity hints at the haunting lifestyle behind the words, which continue this theme through their own rhythm.

 

THE DEAKIN LITERARY AWARD

Minutiae by Anna Barham

This poem utilises skilful rhythm to provoke the feeling of both urgency and peace simultaneously in the reader, particularly the contrast of the last two lines to the rest of the poem. It’s an interesting literal look at the mind with particularly striking imagery that is both vivid and at times surreal.

 

THE VERANDAH ART AWARD

Underwater Study by Jennifer Segrave

With its near-surreal quality, this work makes good use of contrasting colours to create an intriguing image. We spent days arguing over which piece to choose for the cover and ‘Underwater Study’ was chosen in the end because it is a very striking image not only for the content of the image but the skill with which the image was created, provoking a variety of reactions in each of us.

 

 

THE VERANDAH LITERARY AWARD

Made from the Matter of Stars by Nathan Currow

Through the witty and skilful use of language, this piece exhibits an extremely believable tale of growing up, maturity and facing obstacles. It utilises a unique character voice to evoke past memories in the reader and seamlessly blends humour and drama together, creating an interesting and enjoyable piece of fiction.

 

THE EDITORS' CHOICE AWARD

Apple Tree Man by Aisling Smith

This piece stood apart from the others because of its sweet disposition and strong portrayal of childlike innocence. It leaves the reader with a feeling of contentment. With its combination with a strong voice and strong imagery, ‘Apple Tree Man’ is an emotionally stirring piece.

 

All prizes were generously donated by our sponsors.

Last Year's Winners

 

THE MATTHEW ROCCA POETRY PRIZE
Epoch by Jade Pandora.

From the first stanza, 'epoch' displays some masterly images, a sense of wonder and menace which is wonderfully memorable. The poem works on the page - its long lean sentence blowing like a mournful note on a wind instrument. The journey is hinted at. Those hints combine with images and music to become enough of an invitation for the reader to step trustingly into the poem's world.

 

 

THE DEAKIN LITERARY AWARD

In the Knickers of Time by Charlotte Claire

Charlotte's story is an exquisite rendering of the equilibrium of the banal and the brutally sublime.
This story knows the truth of the Laundromat - all of life washes through eventually ...

 

 

THE VERANDAH ART AWARD

Timeless by Megan Seymour

Megan's painting explores the ongoing urban dialogue between old architectural styles and the new. The work reflects complexities of the older styles with its features and decoration, in contrast to the simplified rectangular windows of the modern building. Ironically, our modern world can be structured around simple, geometric forms and yet we live in complex and information overload.

 

 

THE VERANDAH LITERARY AWARD

My Baby Moonbird by Alison Thompson

Chosen for its strong and illuminating use of metaphor, 'my baby moonbird' displays writing confidence. Functioning on multiple levels, the story has at its core an oft visited theme handled with originality and a lack of self-consciousness or sentimentality. Alison's story is nicely completed and convincing by the nature and voice of its central character which asks the reader to contemplate existence and the way we interact with others.

 

 

THE EDITORS' CHOICE AWARD

A Panther, the City, the Sea by Robyn Wylie

Robyn's story melds poetic devices with prose through a consistent and accessible voice. Each paragraph becomes a complete stanza delivering imagery, landscape and urgency of layered relationships. Felt, expressed and explored, this story captivates through its honesty.

 

 

Award recipients received prizes including money, memberships, subscriptions and book packs, as well as a contributor's copy of V25. All prizes were generously donated by our sponsors.