We invited the community to support our Tackling Ageism short story competition by submitting a short story (max 200 words) about a special older person for a chance to win a $100 book voucher. The competition, in partnership with Eastern Regional Libraries, was launched to support the EveryAGE Counts campaign on ending ageism. We were pleased to announce the winners of the Tackling Ageism short story competition today on Ageism Awareness Day, 1 October 2021.
The winners all received a certificate as well as a $100 book voucher. All participants received a certificate of participation. The entries showed enormous respect and appreciation of older people especially grandparents/great grandparents having significant positive influences on the younger person
Winners
Preschool to Prep category - Amity Kwong (Tinternvale Primary School)
Amity wrote about her Por Por (Grandmother) Soo Ch’ng who gives her lots of hugs and kisses and also takes her to the park.

Primary School category - Thomas Sampson (Croydon Primary School)
Thomas credits his Grandma Sheryn Quinlivan with encouraging his learning and caring for him when he is down.

Secondary School Category - Jaynee Ghediya (Ringwood Secondary College)
Jaynee wrote about receiving strength and inspiration from her great grandmother Kanta Ghediya’ resilience during the latter’s difficult childhood.
Merits
- Preschool to Prep category: Tavi Jones, Adrian Bradbury, Maximus Reincke, Paige Robilliard
- Primary School category: Holly Neville, Jessica Zhou, Jude Mckeown, Liam Hastings, Tara Verma
- Secondary School Category: Piper Banks