The winners of the inaugural Wordsmith Awards were celebrated at a special ceremony held at Bunbury Public Library on Saturday 5 September.
Presented by Bunbury Libraries in collaboration with Curtin University, the new writing competition was created to celebrate and support adult writers from across the South West while strengthening connections within the region’s writing community.
Entrants were invited to submit a fictional short story responding to the theme Escape, with writers encouraged to interpret the theme in their own way.
Bunbury-based writer Mikhail Antonov received first prize and $1,000 for The Woman Who Was Left Behind.
With a background in finance and technology, Mikhail is currently working on a romance novel in Russian. His writing explores identity, ambition, love, distance and the quiet moments in which people decide to change their lives.
Donna Westworth was awarded second prize and $750 for Ruthie. An actress, voice-over artist and writer, Donna is preparing to establish Script Club Southwest, where local creatives can come together to practise their craft.
Third prize and $500 was awarded to Deanna Meredith, writing as Deanna Reid, for The Verandah. A Western Australian teacher, writer and local historian, Deanna’s work explores resilience, identity, family, belonging and the quiet moments that shape our lives.
Two entries also received commendations: David John Rawet for On a Tuesday Night and Ross Le Cras for Flying Away. Ross began his career in radio before working in advertising, marketing and counselling. Now retired, he continues to enjoy books, writing and conversations with fellow creatives.
Congratulations to the 2026 Wordsmith Awards recipients:
First prize: Mikhail Antonov - The Woman Who Was Left Behind
Second prize: Donna Westworth - Ruthie
Third prize: Deanna Meredith - The Verandah
Commendation: David John Rawet - On a Tuesday Night
Commendation: Ross Le Cras - Flying Away
Bunbury Libraries congratulates all the winners and commended writers and thanks everyone who entered the inaugural competition, helping make the first Wordsmith Awards a celebration of creativity and storytelling in the South West.