Thursday, 20 February 2025

 Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:54): Congratulations to the Elevation Secondary students who participated in the inaugural David Williamson writing competition with the topic of ‘No place like home’. Outstanding short story winner Danika McNaught provided an amazing sci-fi adventure into an unknown home in the next world. Ammar Mahmoud shared the stories of Leila and Noor confronting tragedy, hope and resilience in the Middle East. Feyza Demir provided a diary entry by Dina, who is missing home and surviving as a refugee in a homeless shelter. Melody Yang shared her story of Neo as they return to public school after the safety of homeschooling. Navreet Mall tells of a 1920 Argentine army recruit, whose new home is a training centre, noting that, ‘Home is not a place but a feeling.’ Paveneet Kaur writes of an anxious mum returning home after seven years military service and the unknown ahead.

Winner of Outstanding Poem and the Williamson Prize was Shannon Jot Kaur, with some beautiful words of the anchor and home provided by sisterly love. Akshiv Mittal’s poem shared everyday activities, showing there is no place like home. Saviru Kalansuriya’s poem talks of the importance of home, albeit often not appreciated. Jasnoor Brar was the winner of Outstanding Script/Play, with a conversation on homes and houses with Private Jasper. Natalie Orsida’s script tells of nurse Diana and soldier Vera at a Russian military base, both hoping for the war to end soon. There are many more longlisted short story and poem authors and others with artwork in the booklet. I will send a note to all these wonderful creatives. Thank you all for sharing your work. I loved reading – (Time expired)