What Matters? Writing Competition for Australian School Students
“The Whitlam Institute wants to hear ‘what matters’ to Australian students and we look forward to reading their entries in 2020” said the Director of the Institute, Leanne Smith.
Inspired by Gough Whitlam’s commitment to involving young people in the shaping of Australia’s future, this writing competition is open, for the first time this year, to all school students across Australia in years 5 to 12. Responding to the simple question ‘what matters?’, entrants are free to express their views on any matter they care about.
The competition, which has been running for 16 years, has unearthed incredible depth and passion from students on a vast array of topical issues facing individuals, families, communities, our nation and the world. Students are encouraged to think critically and creatively about a range of social, political, economic, cultural, environment or civic issues.
This year, resources have been provided to help teachers and students use the What Matters? writing competition in the classroom. Students can also win a share of $4000 in prizes.
“The Whitlam Institute is always looking for ways to empower young people to engage in the world of ideas, express their voices and be heard” explains Whitlam Institute Director, Leanne Smith. “Our What Matters? writing competition provides an excellent platform for them to do just this.
“In the wake of everything that has happened to our country in the past few months, including bush-fires and drought, as well as the outbreak of Coronavirus we particularly want to encourage young Australian students from remote and regional areas as well as children from migrant backgrounds to participate. You can read some essays from 2019, such as: Talisen Magee’s essay about drought; Samuel Hill’s essay about racism; and winner Mia Horsfall’s essay about climate change.
“Not only should adults take more notice, and listen more intently to what young Australians are saying, we should very seriously take stock of their advice for our own futures as well as theirs.
“Perhaps at no other time in history do young people have more at stake for their future than the present. Decisions are being made today that will dramatically affect their lives for decades.
“What Matters? is closely aligned with our Civics Education workshops for students which aims to get young people excited about the power of big ideas, the importance of personal values and leadership, and the role of government, political and civic engagement. Both these programs form an integral part of our Future of Australian Democracy policy stream.
To enter What Matters? students submit an original written work between 400-600 words in prose or poetry, of either fiction or non-fiction. Prizes are awarded in 6 categories: Years 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12, Artistic Merit and the inaugural Graham Freudenberg Award for outstanding
