TAF2019 | CHILDREN’S SHORT STORY COMPETITION AWARDS
Congratulations to all our amazing young writers! Read the winning and shortlisted stories below.
WINNING AND HIGHLY COMMENDED STORIES
Congratulations again to all our winning and highly commended writers. You did an amazing job!
YEARS 0-2 WINNING STORY
Audrey the Bushranger, Eleanor Monk, Franklin
Highly Commended Stories
Nyah the Bushranger, Nyah Howlett, Judbury
Bushranger, Ollie Mullard, Franklin
YEARS 3-4 WINNING STORY
Helen the Hated, Zara Strong, Geeveston
Highly Commended Stories
Bushrangers Part 1, Tess Burgess, Geeveston
Hannah Shrillcock, Izabelle Borzak-Bell, Gardeners Bay
Charlotte Smithton, Neve Gill, Petcheys Bay
YEARS 5-6 WINNING STORY
Lady Jess, Grace Winspear, Hobart/Cygnet
Highly Commended Stories
Bushranger, Leah Bell, Geeveston
The Missing Horse, Brilee Lovell, Huonville
The Bush Secret, Tyler Parsell, Geeveston
A Stolen Shawl, Abby Pugh, Dover
OPEN CATEGORY WINNING STORY
Force of Nature, Ruby Kelly, Garden Island Creek
Highly Commended Stories
Crack!, Xavier Tonzing, Peregrine
Willow Grace Black, Lily Peters, Ranelagh
OPEN CATEGORY WINNING STORY
Force of Nature, Ruby Kelly
There are some things people talk about that they want no one else to hear. They will go into a locked room or far out into the bush, but wherever they go I have a habit of finding out. I slip under the door or slide through the bushes, and though they feel my presence I am ignored, for i am as old as Time itself.
I have been everywhere, seen everything, and oh the stories I could tell you! But today I shall tell you a story I have been waiting a long time to tell, about a girl named Caroline.
I have known many people like her across the ages, people with something a little wild about them, people constrained by their society who loved me for the fact that I am free, able to come and go as I please. But there was something about her that kept drawing me back, compelling me to blow through her hair and rustle her skirts.
Many a glorious hour I have spent blowing along the creek flats, racing her as she rode on her horse, Fury. Tearing through the tree tops or whistling through the garden, there has scarce been a moment in her life when I have not been present in some small way, from the day she was first wheeled outside in her bassinet to the time I took my last mournful farewell, blowing through the crowd as she swung from the gallows.
I remember her as a child, crossing her eyes at her teacher while I slipped through the cracks in the wooden walls, enticing her to come out and play. I kept company with her as she grew, skipping rocks down at the creek or howling triumphantly as she stood on top of the cliff after a long climb. I would blow softly to dry her tears after her numerous fights with her mother and on warm winter nights I would swirl air laden with wattle blossom through her open window to help her sleep. In those days I was her only friend.
I remember swirling distrustful around Mr. Alden when he came to her house, and following them on their walks. I moaned sadly at their wedding and in the months that followed, as his true nature showed through, I would sing through the treetops bringing memories of a happier time to remind her that there was a life out there worth living.
As it became clearer than ever that Herbert Alden's company was one better avoided than sought, Caroline would spend hours out in the bush behind the small house, hiking along the cliffs and following the creek, trying to forget about the mistake that had tied her life to that of a scoundrel. It was on one of these rambles that she first met Elizabeth.
A young girl, scarcely sixteen, she was crouched behind a rotten log by the creek and running a high fever when Caroline found her. Later, Caroline found out that she had taken to the bush in hopes of avoiding jail time for stealing from her employer. For now though, Caroline's only thought was to get her home and into a bed. She took the girl to the hay loft above the stable, not wanting to risk Herbert's wrath by bringing her to the house.
It was three days after this, during which Elizabeth remained in the loft, slowly regaining her strength, that Herbert decided he would bring home an aboriginal servant girl. He stumbled in late one night, swearing and cussing as he crashed around in the dark, a silent shadow following on his heels. He'd got her cheap, he explained drunkenly. A bargain. No, he didn't know her name, and he didn't care either. Call her whatever darn name you like.
She didn't speak much those days. When Caroline asked her name, she simply replied with Maddy. She was observant though, and it didn't take her long to work out that there was a third member to this small family, and she nearly scared Elizabeth senseless one afternoon by appearing by her bedside in the loft. She handed Elizabeth a cup containing a dark brew, and instructed her to drink it.
That was the start of the bond between these three women that would last right to the end of their short lives.
Exactly a week later the inevitable happened. Herbert had been growing more and more reckless, and one night he awoke Caroline to grab her valuables and saddle up. The police had cottoned on to him and they had to flee he had a brother in Melbourne who would hide them until it all blew over. But Caroline didn't want to go.
"Nol" she screeched, "I'm sick and tired of watching you make a mess of our lives, and I'm sick and tired of the fact that I can't do anything about it! I hate my life! Do you hear me? I hate it!”
Herbert stared at her a long moment and then laughed. "Do what you will, woman. Go back to your family if you like, but if you think they'll harbour the wife of a criminal you've got another think coming. It's me or nothing girl."
He made for the door, and when he saw she wasn't going to follow, took the money out of the bread bin and rode away.
Caroline wrapped her arms around her legs, crying and shivering. She couldn't stay here, not with the troopers coming, yet where could she go? This life wasn't fair. She would give anything, anything for a chance to make her own rules, and get her own back on all the people who told her that she would never make do if she didn't learn to curb her reckless nature. Suddenly she stood up. They thought she had a reckless nature? Ha! She'd show them reckless. After all, what did she have to lose? Her reputation had vanished with Herbert, now the only thing left to her was her life, which she would spend in one final fling of glorious rebellion.
Shoving on her clothes, she grabbed her pistol and went to the kitchen for food. She was met at the door by Maddy, holding a bulging hessian sack. "I've got food," she said, "matches too. Should last us a while, but i know how to get more when we run out."
Caroline paused, and said, “Maddy, I'm running away. Looking for revenge, so to speak.” She cringed, realising how silly it sounded, "You – I’m not – you don't have to come with me.”
Maddy only smiled. “It seems I could do with a little revenge of my own, sometimes. Besides, you wouldn't last a week out there by yourself. I'm coming with you. You’ll bring the girl too, of course.”
“Of course," Caroline agreed weakly. Elizabeth climbed onto the back of Fury, Maddy took the packhorse, and as they followed the track down into the gully, I went ahead of them, freeing the moon from the clouds.
I have seen this before many, many times, and I knew where it would end. Too many times I have witnessed as some bright, young person, lit by an uncontrollable fire within, has thrown away their life trying to get revenge on a world that just didn't understand. It is sad, but it is a fact. And now it was happening to my Caroline.
Their first act was to steal two horses from a nearby farm, one for Elizabeth and one for Maddy. After that first theft their raids grew more and more daring. Holding up the mail coach, robbing the Governor on his way home from a meeting, they kept on. After each raid they would retreat back to the ranges, Maddy's skill combined with Caroline and Elizabeth's knowledge of the area making them almost impossible to track.
And not for lack of trying, either. Dozens of troopers were out scouring the bush, and the price on their heads was up to eight-hundred pounds, yet they still remained uncaught.
I shouldn't have helped them. It was going against the ancient laws of nature, and was only delaying the inevitable anyway. Perhaps by helping them i was doing more harm than good, but this didn't stop me from blowing away their tracks, or dropping a limb in the path of a searcher who got too close. Something in me kept going back to the small girl dancing in the sunshine, and I couldn't bear to see that flame extinguished. Silly, I know. I am a force of nature. What does it matter to me what the humans do to themselves? I have seen thousands, millions, of humans come and go and one more shouldn’t make any difference. It did, though.
The last night was warm and friendly, and as they rode down out of the ranges. It felt as though nothing bad could ever happen, even the guns in their hands looked more like some sort of toy than an instrument of murder. They were out to rob a special coach. Word had come to Caroline that it would be passing through that evening. What her informant had failed to mention, however, was the strong armed police escort.
As soon as the first shot was fired, they knew they had been tricked and tried to flee but the shot had alerted troopers in the surrounding area that the girls had been sighted, and hoof beats sounded behind them. The second shot killed Maddy on impact. Elizabeth screamed, and her horse reared back on its hind legs. She slipped, and her body slammed the ground, gun spinning from her hand before she had time to let off a shot. At the sound of Elizabeth's scream, the fight seemed to go out of Caroline, she dropped her gun and slowly raised her hands, as the circle of troopers closed in around them.
They were captured and tried later that same week. Elizabeth was pardoned on account of her considerable youth, but Caroline was charged with robbery and the murder of one policeman, and sentenced to hang.
It had to happen, of course it did. One cannot defy the law without reaping the consequences. I know this, and yet this knowledge didn't stop me from mourning the little girl I once played with. And as watched Herbert rise to become a successful business man, I couldn't help thinking that perhaps this world isn't as fair as it's meant to be.
Years passed, and people forgot the beautiful young girl. Caroline lived on only in the history books and in local legend as a ruthless bushranger, head of a small gang that once roamed the ranges.
I tell this story to remind people that there was more. There always is. Every criminal, no matter their crimes, was once a little baby, and no person is wholly evil, just as no one is wholly perfect. More than that though, I tell it to myself, to keep my young friend alive, forever dancing in the warm sun beneath the wattles down by the creek.
YEAR 5-6 WINNING STORY
Lady Jess, Grace Winspear
I flew through the bush. I could feel the hot pulsing of my horse under my fingers. My breath came hard and fast. I allowed myself a fleeting glance to check behind me, all was quiet. I slowed, looking all around, alert and listening.
Suddenly, I heard the drumming of hooves and shouting voices. I cursed under my breath and urged my horse into motion, faster, faster. Soon we were cantering, then galloping. The voices were not very distinct. One moment, they were right on my tail, the next, fading off into the distance. Still, I pushed my horse blindly faster. Suddenly, there was a gunshot, then another, then another. The first two went wide, but the third really drove home.
I cursed again, out loud this time, as I felt searing pain in my left leg. I fought to stay focused, ignoring the burning and searching for a way to lose my pursuers.
Aha! Salvation. An enormous clump of Bottlebrush coming up on the right. I steered my horse towards it and urged him into a flying leap, right smack bang in the centre.
It was prickly and uncomfortable, but we waited there for much longer than absolutely necessary. Only when it began to grow dark did we begin our journey back to base.
We arrived late, and I was met with a great flurry of anger, which immediately turned into concern once my limp was noticed. I hobbled over to the infirmary and proceeded to extract the bullet and bound the wound tightly. Many offered to help, but I refused. You don’t grow up in a circus without knowing how to treat a bullet in the leg.
We gathered round the fire and everyone grinned.
“What’cha bring for us tonight Jess?” Asked one of the new boys.
I flashed him a glare and he shrank back. Suddenly, I grinned and threw a sack at his feet. He chuckled and rifled through the contents. Pulling out three loaves of bread, a bottle of brandy, some slices of meat and, laughing, a packet of tea leaves.
We feasted on the bread and meat, toasting it over the fire. We laughed and joked, while taking slugs of brandy.
As was custom, Jerry brewed me a cup of tea while the lads shared impressive stories of past felonies. I found myself scoffing at the same new kid’s daring tales of villainy. Robbing three stagecoaches in a day singlehandedly? Not likely. Still, I admired him. After finishing one of his tall stories he leaned back and asked me mockingly:
‘Want a scone with your tea, Lady Jess?”
With a swift flick of my hand I swiped my gun from my holster, cocked it and levelled it at his head. All without taking my eyes off my tea. The whole bush seemed to hush. All eyes trained on the weapon I held in my dainty hand.
‘No thank you.’ I said. ‘Who’s on watch tonight?’
A tentative hand crept into the air.
‘I will relieve you.’ I rose and drained my mug. ‘Goodnight all. Unless there’s anything else you want to add?’ I gestured to the kid with my gun.
‘N-no Jess.’ He stuttered, never taking his gaze off the dormant gun.
‘When speaking to me, you will address me by my proper title.’ I demanded haughtily.
‘Lady Jess. Sorry.’ He then bowed deeply.
In the tense silence that followed, time seemed to stop. Everything watching and waiting to see what I would do next.
I chuckled, and then laughed so uproariously that it startled a few of the boys out of their drink-induced slumber.
‘Good one kid.’ I laughed. ‘It takes a lot to make me laugh.’
I wiped the tears from my eyes then finally holstered my gun. There was a collective sigh of relief. Tipping my head to the boys I then proceeded to take up my post by the edge of the camp.
It was getting late and my leg had begun to pound again. I was lost in my thoughts.
I had only been a bushranger for a few years but I already had a pretty fearsome reputation. At first, people wouldn’t believe that a woman could be a bushranger, and now look; a band of followers and my face on wanted posters within every ten miles.
Perhaps if I had not been shot, or if I had let someone else be on watch, or if the boys hadn’t have had so much brandy, it wouldn’t have happened. But happen it did, so there’s nothing I can do but recount the events.
It was probably 3 in the morning when I heard shouting coming from the base. I rushed back, expecting that we were under attack. I arrived to a blaze of flames and burning heat.
‘What the hell happened here?’ I shouted over the crackling of flames.
‘Some idiot forgot to put out the fire.’ Yelled Old Tim. ‘Now you stay back Jess. You’re injured, we’ll sort this out.’
I reluctantly consented, limping back over to my post. It was probably a few seconds before I noticed the rustling and thumping of hooves far off in the distance. I pricked up my ears and listened closer. Shouting now joined these sounds and I realised that the fire had alerted the Snitches on duty. (Snitches is our fun little name for the local policemen) I grabbed my gun and prepared myself for the oncoming battle.
I wasn’t much a good shot with the pain muddying my brain. I remember lots of cussing and gunshots. Pain in my right leg, but wasn’t I shot in my left? A crack as a baton connected with someone’s face. I suddenly found myself bundled up by Old Tim and locked in one of the caravans to stop myself from getting shot a third time. I was left to kick uselessly at the door and scream myself into a fevered, dreamless sleep.
When I finally woke, I saw two people hovering over me with bandages and worried expressions. I struggled to sit up.
‘Wha-?’ I slurred.
‘Don’t worry Jess.’ Said one of the men. ‘You got shot again, in the other leg this time. You’ve been asleep for three days. We have already moved base and none of our numbers were killed in the battle, though some injured. Does that answer all of your questions?’ I nodded dumbly and relaxed back into the makeshift cot bed.
I smiled broadly.
‘What’s she smiling about?’ Whispered the man who had been silent until now. I wanted him to be quiet again.
‘I love the bush life.’ I said.
‘But you got shot twice!’ He exclaimed. ‘And you’re a woman. Shouldn’t you prefer sitting at home cooking cakes?’
I stared him down, not an easy feat lying down I can tell you.
‘If I made a cake, would you eat it?’
‘No,’ he said, averting his gaze. ‘It would probably be poisoned.’
‘And burnt to a crisp.” I added.
‘With salt instead of sugar,’ chimed in the other man.
We all laughed. I slumped back into the bed and closed my eyes, surrendering to sleep’s warm, gentle pull. I only had one thought on my mind:
Get better so I can go back to being the most feared bushranger in Australia.
YEAR 3-4 WINNING STORY
Helen the Hated, Zara Strong
Helen the Hated
This story was found by Harry Viper after the death of Helen Viper.
…
Hello my name is Helen Viper and I was a woman convict.
I was sent to Van Diemen's Land on the 15th of November 1839 for stealing a loaf of bread.
I was so terribly hungry, it was only a small loaf of bread and the baker I stole it from had loads of them anyway so I don't know what the big deal was?
I married a man called Harold Viper who owns a bakery down town so I’m hardly ever hungry anymore.
I usually do all the work in the house.
In the mornings I cook Harold and my adopted son Harry a big plate of eggs, bacon and two slices of toast before mopping the floors, dusting the window sills in the bedroom and taking the big rug in the dining room and beating it with a stick over the balcony until all the dirt has been shaken out.
It was a gloomy afternoon when I went down town to visit my husband's bakery when I saw a gorgeous brown horse with the most majestic black mane I ever saw on sale so I immediately decided to buy her for 500 pounds but I bet my mansion it was worth it!
I was very poor after that and there was no way Harold was lending me money because after all the bushrangers going around and stealing bread he was keeping every penny he could lay his hands on.
Then I thought...
Bushrangers make millions by stealing money and bread and other stuff so maybe I should become one, so I did!
My first crime was a quite successful bank robbery.
After that deed people were trying to join my gang all over the place but of course I only chose the best!
I ended up with a gang of 5. Mike the Man Killer. Ben the Betrayed, Daniel the Demanding, Andrew the Annoying and me Helen the Hated!
We robbed banks, stole horses and as I predicted we made millions! Richer than Harold who still didn't know where I was!
After years of camping out with my gang and getting richer and richer I was finally caught and I was hanged in the prison, my neck broke straight in two then doctors in training took turns at cutting me to bits and running tests on because you see the churches didn't want my body and didn't want to put it in a coffin and care for it because I was a bad person so if you don't want to end like I did, don't turn bad!
After I was hanged my gang still lived on.
Mike the Man Killer took over my role as gang leader and they were actually a quite successful team!
Then Mary Ann the Misled joined the gang and things went to chaos from there on.
All my gang mates were hanged immediately but since Mary Ann was shot in the foot everyone had to wait until she healed before she was hung.
As for Harry...
YEAR 0-2 WINNING STORY
Audrey the Bushranger, Eleanor Monk
In a tiny, little, home in the middle of the woods on a very windy and freezing cold day there was a 20 year old girl called Audrey. She had fiery red hair, freckles, and always had a smile on her face. She was a bushranger. She always had at least 5 loaded guns on her. She was 6 feet tall.
Audrey had a pet dog called Misty who was a greyhound, scruffy, dirty and grumpy. Misty barked a lot every full moon.
Audrey had a sister who was a convict in Australia at the time. Her sister's name was Edith. Edith had a transportation sentence for 3 years.
A few months later, after Edith had gone to Australia, Audrey hatched a plan to help Edith escape her convict prison. Audrey hired a galleon ship to take her to Australia as she was very rich from bushranging. The captain had a long beard, brown hair, and dark brown eyes. He was a little grumpy so she knew it would take a while for him to warm up to her.
Audrey was extremely confident to get her sister Edith out. Audrey pretended to be a beautiful lady so no one knew she was a bushranger. On the long trip from England to Australia Captain Lewis and Audrey became good friends and trusted each other. Captain Lewis also enjoy the company of Misty, who also came along.
Once they had arrived in Australia they discussed putting their plan into motion. Captain Lewis was staying at the ship while Audrey would travel to the convict prison to free her sister Edith.
Audrey had a basket full of food, but the food had a special chemical that puts people to sleep. She said to the guards, "I have food to give to the poor hungry soldiers that work so hard all day."
All the guards thought it was lovely so they all took some food. They all drifted off into a deep sleep so Audrey took the keys off one of the guards and went into the prison. She found Edith's prison cell and put the key in the lock and set her free. They embraced so hard! They both cried with joy. They hadn't seen each other for a year.
Audrey handed Edith a ladies outfit and they fled back to the ship where Captain Lewis was ready to set sail.
Captain Lewis brought them back to England where Edith's and Audrey's mum was waiting for them. They all reunited.
Captain Lewis took them to America where they bought a lovely house. Audrey married Captain Lewis and they had many adventures on his ship together.
The end.
OPEN CATEGORY HIGHLY COMMENDED
Willow Grace Black, Lily Peters
Chapter 1 - FAREWELL
One day in 1840 a child was born in Hobart. She had blue eyes like her mother and silky black hair like her father, she was given the name Willow Grace Black.
The Black family lived on a very small farm and were very poor. Willow was small for her age and had a special gift, she could sneak anywhere and no one would hear her coming. She had quick, light fingers and could take anything without anyone knowing.
Willow's father, James Black, was a bushranger when he was young but stopped when he had a family.
On Willow's 14th birthday her family only had a loaf of bread and butter. James said that he would go and steal two pigs from the neighbour's farm.
Willow watched her father from her bedroom window and to her horror a police officer saw James jump the fence and went to see what was going on. Willow tried to warn her father but he could not see her. As James jumped over the fence with two pigs under his arms, he bumped into the police officer.
"What are you doing with my mum's pigs?" he asked.
"My family are hungry and poor," said James.
"That is no excuse," shouted the officer as he pulled out his gun. "Drop the pigs and put your arms in the air."
The officer grabbed James and took him to the carriage and put cuffs on his hands. Willow and her mum Emma ran outside.
"Please," begged Willow. "Please let him go."
The officer ignored Willow.
"What is his sentence?" asked Emma.
"He will go to Port Arthur to work for us, he will stay there for 7 years," said the officer as he climbed into the carriage next to James and flicked the reins.
Willow watched her father until he was out of sight.
Chapter 2 - THE CAPTURE
A few days later Willow was starving and Emma had given her the last bit of bread and butter. At 1:00 at night Willow heard something outside. She got out of bed and walked to the window and looked out, it took a minute for her to realise what she could see.
Three figures were rummaging around outside. One of them had their hands in a bin and another was climbing the fence to the police officer's mums farm and came back a minute later holding what looked like a pig and then all three of them left.
Willow climbed back into bed and fell asleep.
Willow got up early in the morning and went outside to the place where the figures were rummaging in bins, the sun was very bright and hot and there was not a cloud in the sky. Willow tried to remember what had happened last night and she couldn't shake the feeling someone was watching her.
A few days later Willow went outside to the vegetable patch and picked the last lettuce and carrots and went inside. Emma was sitting in a chair by the fire looking very thin and ill. Willow walked to her mother and gave her a carrot she ate it with in a second and thanked Willow.
Willow walked into the kitchen and chopped the lettuce and carrots and put them in two bowls and took one to Emma. Willow ate her serving of vegetables very fast.
Later in the afternoon, Willow went back outside to the vegetable patch that was just a pile of dirt and weeds she pulled most of them out. Half an hour later Willow had all the weeds out and in a big pile, she started to walk back to the house and she saw three pairs of eyes watching her through a nearby bush, two blue and one green, and, without thinking Willow found her legs taking her behind the bush. She stopped half way, afraid of what she would see, and she felt two hands grab her arm.
Afraid to look down she tried to pull her arm free and felt another pair of hands grab her and pull her into the bush. The next second she was asleep.
Chapter 3 - THE JOB
Willow woke up in a carriage with a bag on her head. It was raining. She did not remember it raining at home?
Willow tried to stand up but fell back down for her legs were tied together. Willow tried to take off the bag on her head but it was no good her hands and arms were bound tightly to her body. Willow gave up after a minute or two because voices could be heard a few inches away. Willow stopped moving.
"Are you sure she is up to it?" said a squeaky voice, that of a girl who sounded the same age as Willow.
"I'm sure, I've been watching her for over a month with a bit of training, she will be the world's best Bushranger. The way she can sneak around most of the time, even while I was watching her, I could not find her and then she would be right in front of me," said a different voice. It was a boy called Ben and he sounded no older than 17.
Willow sat frozen, she could not believe what she was hearing how did these people know she was good at sneaking around?
The rain was pouring now and Willow was soaked sitting in the back of the carriage, after what seemed three whole hours the carriage came to a stop and Willow felt two hands grab and lift the bag off her head, the rain felt lovely on Willow's face.
"We need someone who can sneak around without being seen, we need you Willow," said Ben.
Willow saw the three pairs of eyes, two blue and one green. The boy named Ben who had spoken had green eyes and short blond hair and was very tall.
"You need me?" asked Willow.
"Yes we need you," said the squeaky girl called Meg, who was the same age as her but was a lot taller with long curly black hair and magnificent blue eyes.
"Why do you need me?"
"Because you can sneak around without being seen, can't you?" said the third kid.
This boy, Noah, had blue eyes and messy black hair down to his shoulders.
"Yes," said Willow.
"We are very poor and hungry and you are too," said Noah, the blue-eyed boy.
"So what do you need me to do?"
"You see Willow, we are some of the most wanted Bushrangers but none of us can sneak in the dead of night like you. If you helped us we could all be rich. Anyway, let me introduce us, I'm Ben, this is Noah," he gestured to the boy with blue eyes. "And this is his little sister Meg."
"Hello," said Willow.
Willow thought about their request, well I guess I have nothing to lose. "Ok I'll do it, what's the job?"
Ben smiled.
Chapter 4 - THE PLAN
A few weeks had past and Willow had made three new friends and Ben wanted to do the plan that night.
"I think we should go over the plan one more time," said Willow in a shaky voice for she was very nervous.
"Ok," Ben said.
"But we have gone over the plan 5 times already," said Meg.
"It can't hurt to do it 50 more times little sis," said Noah sarcastically and in a very good impression of a Mother.
Ben ignored him. "Ok, the bank sits along the river, it's not heavily guarded so it shouldn't be too hard for Willow to get past the guard on duty if we do it at night. Willow needs to pour the sleeping potion that Meg has already made into the guard's drink. Once the guard is asleep Willow needs to steal the key and quickly pack up as much gold and coins as she can. We will all be waiting in the dark at the back window by the store room of the bank, ready to catch the bags of gold. We have maybe 5 minutes from start to finish before the guard wakes up."
They waited until night fell before setting of. Willow crept across the road and walked in the shadows she was going over the plan in her head, what if I get caught? I won't be able to run very fast with the gold. She tried not to think about this. It took 5 minutes until they got to the bank, no one was talking. Ben, Meg and Noah said bye to Willow and then they were swallowed by the darkness.
Willow got out the potion Meg had made from gill root and lavender and crept along the wall of the bank. When Willow got to the entrance, she saw two guards one was drinking a coffee while spinning keys on his finger, she seized her moment and walked towards the guards being careful to stay in the shadows. Willow opened the lid of the potion and waited, then Willow heard a shout behind her and shaking from head to toe slowly turned around to see a man running across the road.
"I just found a deserted camp, the embers in the fire are still hot. I bet it’s Meg Robin, Noah Robin and Ben Kay."
"Honestly Thomas, not this again, do you really think Meg and Noah Robin and Ben Kay would just come and camp under the stars when they know we are right here?”
"No," said Thomas. "You're right Oliver, but we still should check it out."
Willow was scared, so they had found their camp! Willow looked away from the men and saw that Oliver had put his mug down and the other man had gone with Thomas to look at the camp. Willow walked forward and tipped the bottle of gill root and lavender into the mug. Willow watched Oliver gulp down the potion and coffee, he swayed on the spot and then fell to the ground and his mug smashed next to him.
Willow snatched up the key and bolted inside the bank, she ran as fast and as quiet as she could until she stopped at the door of the gold room, she unlocked and opened the door as quiet as she could and ran inside. She picked up as many bags as she could and ran out and down the corridor, she went into the store room and climbed on to some boxes and slowly lowered the bags.
"Well done Willow," whispered Ben and she ran back down the corridor back into the room with all the gold, snatched up the rest of the gold and ran into the store room, she tossed the rest of the gold out of the window before jumping out into the night, where Ben, Meg and Noah stood holding the gold.
"Let's go!" Said Ben and they ran back to the camp. When they were opposite the camp Willow remembered that their camp had been discovered.
"Wait! Two police might be in our camp, hide in the bushes with the gold and I will go and see if they are still there."
So Willow bravely crept across the road and hid behind a tree, she could not hear anything, she looked out from behind the tree to see a deserted camp but all their stuff was scattered everywhere. She ran back to the others and they all went back to camp.
"It's not safe to stay here any longer, we will have to leave." Ben said.
So they packed up their stuff and went back to Willows home On the way, Willow stopped and bought as much food as she could. When she got home, she found the house a mess, she cleaned up and realised just how hungry she was.
So, she made some food, gave some to the others and went upstairs to Emma's bedroom with a tray of food. Emma was asleep and very skinny.
"Mum wake up. I have got you some food."
"Willow?" said Emma. She sat up. "Where have you been?"
"Long story, eat this and I'll tell you."
Later, Emma and Willow went down stairs and Willow introduced the others and Emma let them stay in their house for as long as they needed.
"Thank you Missus Black," said Meg.
From then on they lived happily with new gardens and they sold vegetables for money and helped the poor when they could. The Blacks, Robins and Kay were no longer poor.
7 YEARS LATER
One day Willow was out in the garden when a police carriage arrived. Willow ran inside and told Meg, Noah and Ben to hide upstairs, Emma and Willow went outside to find an officer and James climbing out of the carriage. James smiled at Willow.
"Father!" She cried. Willow ran to James and hugged him, Emma did the same.
The officer got back into the carriage and rode off. The family went inside and Willow introduced James to Meg. Noah and Ben and he listened to Willow's adventure with delight.
"I have heard of this tale in prison, it's all anyone could talk about, even to this day, the bank robbery is one of the greatest crimes ever committed. Tales were told of a brave Bushranger who changed Hobart town for the better. Who would've thought it was my brave daughter! I'm very proud of you Willow."
Willow smiled. Maybe there was more she could do to change this great town for the better. She looked over at Ben and they both smiled, they had had the same thought.
THE END
YEAR 5-6 HIGHLY COMMENDED
A Stolen Shawl, Abby Pugh
My body hit the ground as I watched my love run away with the Whitehead Gang. I can't believe he shot me. Why? Tears pricked my eyes as he looked back for the last time. I was supposed to be his love, now I'm just an injured body on the ground. All I wanted to know was why?
Blood trickled down my dark skin, so I grabbed the stolen shawl from my now dead companion, and held it to my wound. I waited for the bleeding to stop, then lifted the shawl. The bleeding hadn't stopped completely, but I no longer had blood pouring out of me.
Michael wasn't getting away with this, I wasn't going to let him! I wrapped the stolen shawl around my shoulders and dragged myself to my feet.
I couldn't take care of myself, I needed a hospital. There was a slim chance they'd help me, considering who I am and what I was a part of, but I had to try. I'd use my outrage and betrayal as my strength, for I am Black Mary. I will survive!
My wound had finally healed and I could leave the hospital. I don't know why I've kept the shawl, it's stained with dark memories. But it was the only thing I had that reminded me that somebody was nice to me. I pushed that thought away so the only thing on my mind was gathering a military party and finding the Whitehead Gang. After all, they won't last long without me.
It took a fair bit of convincing to gather a military party and attempt to find the gang. I led them through this unforgiving Tasmanian bush, but after two long days of searching, we all came up empty handed. The burning candle of determination was almost completely blown out by the word "nothing." I sighed, tears burning in my eyes. I blinked them back and told the military party I would lead them back. It was cold and dark, there was no way they would last through the night without me. I snatched my bloodstained shawl off a tree branch, wrapped it around my shoulders and headed back to the town.
A faint but familiar sound came from the bush, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I stopped. The sound crept closer and closer, I could tell there was more that one of them. Twigs snapped and leaf litter crunched. It was coming closer. I slowly stepped back and tapped one of the military soldiers on the shoulder. He gave me his gun and went behind everyone else as we all prepared for whatever was coming. Oh my god!
A sheep's head peered through the trees. I was relieved and the guns were lowered. It trotted out, fifty five following behind. What were they doing out here? They must have been stolen. Stolen. stolen! I turned to the military party, this search wasn't over yet!
I ran down the path that the sheep came from, remembering that the gang had plans to steal fifty six sheep before I was shot. We ran and ran until the night sky bled into a golden sunrise and a little hut was not far away. It was Michael. The military party told me to go back, they would handle him. I agreed, wrapped the dirty shawl around my shoulders and headed back.
After a week or so, the military party came to me and told me something I never thought I would hear. After all that time and effort, Michael was dead and the rest of the Whitehead Gang were in jail. I let my shawl fall off my shoulders as my hands covered my mouth. They told me Michael's head was displayed in Hobart, so I picked up my shawl and ran to the centre of the city to find out for myself.
He was gone, he was really gone. His head was in a glass box, regret filling his cold, empty eyes. I had already been to court and was given the chance to start a fresh life In Sydney, which I decided to take.
I wrapped my stolen, bloodstained, dirty shawl around my shoulders, and headed off to Sydney, to start again.
YEAR 3-4 HIGHLY COMMENDED
Bushrangers Part 1, Tess Burgess
Around about 1840 I was born, I lived in a fancy house, but no one appreciated me as much as my rich and handsome husband it made me sick. So I decided to change the way I lived to make myself happy. I would be a bushranger and then my husband wouldn't be the only one with money!
My name was Emily Johnson but that had to change if I was going to be a bushranger.No one shall know who I am or what real name is. My aliases is the Lady Knight and the Evil Crimson. My life got exciting and I had more money than my horrid husband!
It is night time and I am approaching my next victim, a lady riding in a coach with a necklace covered in jewels and purse spilling out with money.
I pulled out my gun and told her to give me her money or I would open fire. After getting that cash I still don't think have enough for my liking I need to wait until my husband has another of his "tea party's" and rob his guests as they leave.
Tonight my husband is having a another tea party so I better get ready, I will have time because I am not invited to his party's he doesn't think I am good enough to join him, but that's good because I would have no pleasure accompanying him and his guests. It has been 3 hours of them laughing and eating little cupcakes, and finally they are getting ready to leave.
So I better get ready to rob them and take their money. They are in their carriage leaving and I am approaching, I raise my gun and tell them to give me their money or I will shoot. They didn't have much money on them at that moment, but I still got quite a bit. I think when I have robbed most of the people in this town I will move across the country and find new victims. I have now robbed 50 people! so far but if I move across the country I might get twice as many. I about am packing my bag, I won't bother saying by to my husband because he probably won't notice I am gone he doesn't really care.
I pack some food for the first couple of nights before I get to the town, I mount my horse and ride across the desert. Three days later I reach a tavern and order a meal, I eat then I leave. I still have long way to travel and I need to feed my horse, I get some bread out of my satchel and give it to my horse, she thinks then eats it with no more hesitation. I find shelter and tie up my horse, I get a potato sack for a pillow then I sleep. A couple months later I was caught for stealing 200 pounds and I am about to be sent to Australia as a convict for 4 years. And when I return I will continue my story as a bushranger.
THE END OF PART 1
YEAR 3-4 HIGHLY COMMENDED
Hannah Shrillcock, Izabelle Borzak-Bell
Hannah Shrillcock was born on January 15 1889 in Western Australia, but was heartlessly abandoned by her parents at the age of 3. She was taken in by an orphanage at the age of 5. She fled from the orphanage at the age of 12 because she despised the way they treated her and desperately wanted to leave the continent.
Whilst in the orphanage she heard many stories of distant lands and opportunities to make herself a better future. So, dreaming of a new life, she made for the docks, in search of an opportunity to stowaway. An official and mean looking man spotted her and demanded she identity herself. Not knowing what to say she ran and hid quickly in a crate. Too terrified to move she stayed hidden for so long that she fell asleep in the cold night air In the morning she awoke to find the crate she had chosen as her hiding place had been loaded upon a ship. She would soon discover was bound for Africa.
For the many weeks that followed she bid aboard the ship, sneaking out under the cover of dark and poor weather in an effort to steal food and other items whilst not being found. When the ship finally reached its destination, Hannah crept from her hiding place, half-starved and exhausted from the lengthy sea journey. She stood and stared at her new surroundings, realising with shock and a gasp of excitement, that she had arrived, in Africa After leaving the ship and spending time in the dangerous world of the docks of this part of Africa, Hannah realised that from now on she would have to be tough and often fight to survive in this new country.
Her criminal career began as it did for so many in her situation, through necessity. She started off stealing food and clothing. At the age of 17 she formed a gang with other thieves, and began stealing cattle together. She and her gang were often pursued by the police for stealing valuable clothing too.
Once or twice Hannah and her gang would go to jail for short periods of time. Once they were sent to jail for 4 years for stealing a whole herd of cattle, however as soon as they were in jail they managed to escape. Hannah's gang rode off on cattle, stolen from a nearby farm. But Hannah, unable to find any more cattle, had to escape riding to her freedom on a domesticated elephant!
The story goes that she fled to the famous Victoria Falls where she leapt over the edge of the colossal canyon, disappearing into the misty spray of the giant falls. About a year later Hannah's gang, upon hearing reports of her being alive, discovered her living, hidden by a river at the bottom of the canyon. No one knows how she survived the treacherous descent but she became famous for that mighty jump.
Hannah Shrillcock died as a result of a meningococcal infection on July 20th 1952 aged 63.
…
This account of Hannah's life was told by Franklin Lastscar (one of Hannah's many partners in crime).
YEAR 3-4 HIGHLY COMMENDED
Charlotte Smithton, Neve Gill
Fierce winds tore through my hair as Bonney ground to a halt, grunting in despair. I closed my eyes as I was anxious that it was those dreaded men.
I finally opened them and saw their unwelcoming figures striding towards Bonney and I, and it occurred to me our chance of escaping was narrow, being a crumbling clifftop.
Panicking, I mistakenly cried out for Bonney to dive off the overhang and was soon leaping after him, plunging into the depths of the churning water below...
Breathlessly, I hauled myself onto the withered land, shaking from the icy waters. I glanced around but there was no sign of Bonney anywhere.
After losing Bonney to the treacherous river, weeks became months and months became years. To survive, I had mastered horse rustling, and acquired a new horse named Dale, although Bonney was still alive in my heart. He was significant to me - my only company for years, as after the droughts Mother and Father went for supplies to mend our farm, a journey that should take two weeks - but never returned. I awaited them for a month, but after such a time I was doubting their return and grew worried, so left to search for them. I had no idea where to look, and never found them. Bonney was all I had as company for endless months.
Although not proud of robbing an ill looking man on a busy route in south west NSW I had gained a great few shillings and was prepared to ransack any other people unfortunate enough to come across this way. Though I didn't know how long we could survive on the supplies we already had.
Most people may think of us bushrangers simply as criminals and thieves, but our reasons for doing so may all be entirely unique. Dependent on theft and deceit I had barely anything call my own.
Days later, ravenous, we had to do something to stay alive but I had lost my snare and slingshot and felt so weak. Our only option was to thieve. There was a chance would be captured but I had no choice.
Bursting into the store, snatching piles of items off the shelves, we soon took off, leaving the owner behind, threatening and yelling at me. We had enough supplies to last us days, so our journey continued.
Years afterward, I had grown weaker and could barely move on my own. Without Dale I would be long gone. Passing through an isolated town, the familiar men in large, blue trench coats draping down their sides were beside the inn, muttering to each other. Before they could recognise us, I leaped off the nearby cliff face and hurtled into the dark murky waters beneath, only this time, I didn't come back up either.