Former Warnbro high school student crowned winner at national Monte Miller Award

It’s a story of white lies and hidden truths at a retirement village — possibly the last place you want to try hide a secret. Writer Kayti Murphy said her award-winning script Vera vs Vern explored that scenario and was at least partly inspired by her own parents-in-law making the big move for the next chapter of their lives. “Some people think they’re these sedate places where people are sitting around knitting, but everybody knows everybody else’s business,” Murphy said. “I wanted to take this idea and amplify it, so it becomes a kind of Hunger Games with baked goods; this highly competitive battle for power, information and status, with turf wars and cliques and a lot of sex.” The former Warnbro Community High School student was named a winner for her unproduced script at the recent Australian Writer’s Guild Monte Miller Awards. Murphy won the short form category and Jane Jago the long form award for her script The Wrong Hand. They were selected from 400 entries and will share a prize of $10,000 that will hopefully help bring the stories to screen. “I’d love to see Vera vs Vern come to life,” Murphy said. “I’m in the process of trying to attach an experienced TV producer and take the project through the next stages of development. It would be amazing to see this shot in WA.” Murphy said she was in complete shock after hearing her name announced. “I honestly did not think I would win. There were some incredible stories shortlisted and I think I already had imposter syndrome just getting on to the shortlist,” she said. “It was a huge surprise and I think I’m still getting over the shock.”