About the ‘What Matters?’ writing competition
This competition is inspired by Gough Whitlam’s commitment to involving young people in shaping Australia’s future. Students are asked to respond to the simple question ‘what matters?’ and are free to express their views on any matter they care about.
Part writing exercise, part civics and citizenship activity, What Matters? is the perfect opportunity to empower students to raise their voices on issues that are important to them. To know that their perspectives are valuable, no matter their age, background or viewpoint.
Entries can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry or prose of up to 600 words, and are submitted online at What Matters? Writing Competition. Students can enter through their school, or from home via the website. Entries close on Friday, 17 May 2024
National awards and prizes
The What Matters? writing competition is run by the Whitlam Institute (within Western Sydney University).
There are some amazing prizes to be won for students and their schools. Prizes are awarded for Overall Winner, Category Awards and Sponsored Awards. Check out the What Matters? prize pool on the Whitlam website for more information.
Discover the 2023 winning entries by accessing the Whitlam Institute’s website.
Tasmanian State Awards and Prizes
Tasmanian students who enter the national competition are automatically entered into What Matters? Tasmania. Like the national competition, prizes are awarded in four categories: Years 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12.
Category Winners receive $350, and $200 is awarded to each Category Runner Up.
An Overall Tasmanian Winner is selected from the Category Winners. They will receive an additional prize provided by the Department for Education, Children and Young People.
For more information about the Tasmanian State Awards, contact Learning Events learning.events@decyp.tas.gov.au.
2023 Tasmanian State Award Winners
Years 5/6
- Category Winner – Louie Mercier (Riverside Primary School) ‘The Birth of Democracy’ (PDF, 100kB)
- Runner-Up – William McKinnon (Riverside Primary School) ‘The Wilderness Matters…’ (PDF, 100kB)
Years 7/8
- Category Winner – Caleb Close (Mackillop Catholic College) ‘Fishing in the Clouds’ (PDF, 105kB)
- Runner-Up – Khan Huseyin (Hobart City High School) ‘Middle of the sea’ (PDF, 102kB)
- Highly Commended – Karunamuni Sanuli Karunaratne (Marist Regional College) ‘What Never Leaves’ (PDF, 100kB)
Years 9/10
- Category Winner – Freya Smith (Hobart City High School) ‘Hope Matters’ (PDF, 102kB)
- Runner-Up – Lily Ayre (Scotch Oakburn College) ‘The Grove of Giants’ (PDF, 92kB)
- Highly Commended – Abel Lim (Scotch Oakburn College) ‘We Can’t Afford to Leave Healthcare on the Waiting List’ (PDF, 101kB)
- Highly Commended – Amelia Cooper (The Friends School) ‘Every Citizen Matters – rethinking Australia’ (PDF, 89kB)
Years 11/12
- Category Winner – Lucy Gluskie (St Mary’s College) ‘i wish long sleeves didn’t exist’ (PDF, 89kB)
- Runner-Up – Lily Wooding (The Friends School) ‘The Boy I Once Knew’ (PDF, 120kB)
- Highly Commended – Grace Campbell (St Mary’s College) ‘Inner Peace and Self-Acceptance’ (PDF, 127kB)
- Highly Commended – Sahansa Udawatta (The Friends School) ‘Under the Desert Sun’ (PDF, 120kB)
Overall Tasmanian
- Overall Winner – Caleb Close (Mackillop Catholic College) ‘Fishing in the Clouds’ (PDF, 105kB)
- Runner-Up – Freya Smith (Hobart City High School) ‘Hope Matters’ (PDF, 102kB)