Accessibility Tools

  • Content scaling 100%
  • Font size 100%
  • Line height 100%
  • Letter spacing 100%
Bell Shakespeare - Coriolanus banner
Jolley Prize

Jolley Prize 2013 (Winner): 'Leaving Elvis' by Michelle Michau-Crawford

by •
October 2013, no. 355
Jolley Prize

Jolley Prize 2013 (Winner): 'Leaving Elvis' by Michelle Michau-Crawford

by •
October 2013, no. 355

I walk in the door and Gran tells me that a month ago Leslie Mulligan was taken by a shark while trying to save a stranger. Imagine, a national hero. She actually says that. As though dying in a world of pain in an ocean filled with his own blood was a heroic choice.

Leave a comment
Michelle Michau-Crawford

Michelle Michau-Crawford  is a writer of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Her work has been published both in Australia and internationally.  In 2013 she won the Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize for her story Leaving Elvis,  and  her debut short story collection Leaving Elvis and Other Stories (UWAP) was published in  2016. She currently lives and works on Noongar Boodja (Perth). 

From the New Issue

You May Also Like

Comments (5)

  • I thought about entering this year's competition before reading your wonderful story.
    Thank you
    Posted by John Renner
    07 April 2015
  • A topical and so-Australian story, which covers fifty years or so of a woman's life, and yet reveals so much of the history of her country. A fine story; I like the introduction and relevance of Julia Gillard'\.
    Posted by Betty Birskys
    17 February 2014
  • Beautiful, sad, and topical. Loved it. Worthy winner.
    Posted by Louise
    04 November 2013
  • Such a powerful and moving story. So many issues weaved throughout and it's easy to see why it's a winner.
    Posted by Chris Mack
    01 November 2013
  • A fine story which I enjoyed very much.
    Posted by Lori J Young
    02 October 2013

Leave a comment

If you are an ABR subscriber, you will need to sign in to post a comment.

If you have forgotten your sign in details, or if you receive an error message when trying to submit your comment, please email your comment (and the name of the article to which it relates) to ABR Comments. We will review your comment and, subject to approval, we will post it under your name.

Please note that all comments must be approved by ABR and comply with our Terms & Conditions.

Australia Institute
Monash University - June
Peter Rose Editorial Cadetship