Calling aspiring writers

JAN – FEB 2017

YOUR HANDPICKED GUIDE TO SUMMER IN LANE COVE

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROGRAM OF EVENTS ONLINE TODAY AT www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/festivals

SUNSET ARTISTS’ MARKET

Friday 24 February, 5:00pm - 8:00pm Lane Cove Plaza

Pick up something beautiful and unique at this special sunset market featuring a broad range of talented artists selling their wares. After you’ve checked out the stalls, join in a macrame workshop by purchasing a dream catcher kit or just sit back and enjoy exquisite live music from Mimosa Duo.

Calling all aspiring writers!

Modelled on the successful and long-running Readers Digest competition, TVO is launching its own 100-word story competition that encourages readers to write a short, fictional piece. The challenge is to express yourself using exactly 100 words. Stories can be about any subject and in any writing style, but must be original and unpublished.

EACH MONTH, selected entries will be published in TVO. At the end of the year, all entries will be individually judged based on their originality and creativity, with three winners being selected to receive a $50 Burns Bay Bookery voucher. TO ENTER, readers must email their story with their name, address and phone number: editor@thevillageobserver.com.au. THERE IS NO LIMIT to the number of stories that you contribute during the year – the only stipulation is that it must be exactly 100 words to be eligible.

To kick things off, the following are our entries for February. We hope that these will help you get inspired for your own short story and we look forward to receiving your entries.

Agnes’ favourite time of year was always Spring.

The path home was lined with wild freesias that perfumed the air with a heaven scent.

She pushed open the rickety old gate and lifted the lid to the post box. She pulled out a letter. She rushed to the front door with a sigh of relief, having avoided old Mrs Klapdoor who was busy gardening next door. I’m not in the mood for her mindless chatter thought Agnes. She sunk into her favourite lilac velvet armchair, opened the letter and as she started reading, the tears of joy began to flow.... BY CATERINA ZAVAGLIA

Stella was confused. Tom had left early for work but she'd just seen him ducking into the arcade. In their five years together he’d never lied. Soon he emerged, deep in conversation with an attractive girl.

Curious, Stella rang him.

‘Hi darling!’ Her breath still caught at the sound of his voice. ‘Sorry I missed you this morning. Been flat out here - no time to even grab a coffee!’

Turning away, Stella felt sick to her stomach.

‘Thanks’, said Tom to the pastry chef. He smiled as he looked at the cake with the words ‘Will you Marry Me?’. BY LIZ FOSTER

Two hundred dollars for 3 months’ hard work, Wasim thought as he boarded the plane home, soil still under his fingernails. Mildura was hot, sweaty and fly-blown – his first trip out of the country. Little English, little money and little to show.

Deanna was at home with the three kids. Rice with fish sauce was on the plate, like most days. Pizza? Not at any time soon. Life on the outskirts of KL wasn’t easy. Making and selling goreng pisang, fried bananas, dreaming of something better – she had the education!

Australia lowered the backpacker tax - 32.5 to 15 percent. BY JEREMY ALAM