Beyond Blue is honoured to be this year’s chosen charity partner of The Hope Prize, one of the world’s leading short story competitions.
The Hope Prize’s 2024 anthology, Tomorrow There Will Be Sun, published by Simon & Schuster, launches on 4 December, with all royalties going to Beyond Blue.
The Hope Prize focuses on the themes of hope, courage and resilience. This year, the competition received more than 1400 submissions from around the world, with 20 pieces shortlisted for the anthology. The judging panel included Dame Quentin Bryce, Dr Tony Birch, The Hon Julia Gillard AC, Mark Rubbo and Dan Ruffino.
The winner of The Hope Prize, and recipient of $10,000, is Edinburgh-based Australian writer John Merkel, with his story Shadows Cast by the Moon. The story is about a friendship John’s mother Paula struck with a man she met at a support group when she was recovering from a prolonged period of mental illness, and who remained a lifelong friend.
Tomorrow There Will be Sun’s stories remind us that no matter the challenges we face, through the strength of the human spirit and the power of connection, people persevere and overcome obstacles and setbacks.
Dame Quentin Bryce, one of the judges of The Hope Prize, said, “The message of hope woven through each narrative and the roles of companionship, neighbourhood and kindness in shaping a hopeful outlook transcend place, race and gender. In these stories we witness the way our shared humanity truly matters.”
Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said: “The Hope Prize celebrates the themes of hope, courage and resilience. At this time of uncertainty and upheaval in our world, these messages have never been more crucial.”
Ms Harman welcomed the valuable support The Hope Prize will provide.
“Every day Beyond Blue offers hope through its free, effective services helping people navigate their mental health challenges. We are so thankful that with support from The Hope Prize anthology we’ll be able to keep up with service demand and bring even more hope to those who need it.”
