Shaun Toor of Willetton Senior High School has been recognised among Western Australia’s most talented young writers, winning the ‘Lower Secondary category’ at this year’s Criag Silvey Award for Young Writers.
Shaun took home the award for his short story ‘When She’s Born’, announced at a special ceremony held at Subiaco Library on Monday, October 20.
He said his story was inspired by a personal experience within his family.
“This story grew out of watching a family member live with dementia. I wrote ‘When She’s Born’ to explore how love can endure even as memory fades and how sometimes the heart holds on when the mind cannot,” Shaun said.
More than 1000 students from across the state entered this year’s competition, a 25 percent increase from last year. Award patron and acclaimed author Craig Silvey praised the high standard of writing and creativity displayed by young storytellers.
“Your stories made me laugh, made me gasp, made me tense, made me cry,” he said. “You took me to worlds that were profound, impassioned and unpredictable.”
City of Subiaco Mayor David McMullen congratulated all entrants and thanked Silvey for his ongoing support of the award.
The winning stories, including Shaun’s ‘When She’s Born’, are on display at Subiaco Library until Sunday, October 26. Visitors can vote there for their favourite entry in the People’s Choice Award.
