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 for the 2024 What Matters? Competition closed 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 2024 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.
2024 Tasmanian State Award Winners
Year 5 & 6 Category
- Winner – Willa Calic (South Hobart Primary School) ‘Natural Wonders’ (PDF, 99KB)
- Runner-up – Lucy Finley (Lansdowne Crescent Primary School) ‘My Friend Pippi’ (PDF, 99KB)
- Highly Commended – Lachlan Weeding (Lansdowne Crescent Primary School) ‘The Brink of Extinction’ (PDF, 100KB)
- Highly Commended – Alara Huseyin (New Town Primary School) ‘It’s time’ (PDF, 99KB)
Year 7 & 8 Category
- Winner – Eliza Emerson (Bothwell District High School) ‘This moment, now.’ (PDF, 99KB)
- Runner-up – Remy Rawlings-Way (The Friends’ School) ‘Love: Give, Receive, Share’ (PDF, 99KB)
- Highly Commended – Carmen Ng (Taroona High School) ‘Planet B’ (PDF, 101KB)
Year 9 & 10 Category
- Winner – Olivia Stevens (Scotch Oakburn College) ‘The gift of poetry’ (PDF, 95KB)
- Runner-up – Arielle Da Graca (St Mary’s District High School) ‘The Moonflower’ (PDF, 98KB)
- Highly Commended – Shanae Jones (Latrobe High School) ‘The Missing Puzzle Piece’ (PDF, 99KB)
Year 11 & 12 Category
- Winner – Jade Cleary (Scotch Oakburn College) ‘You and I, Laughing Together’ (PDF, 100KB)
- Runner-up – Ella Fischer (Scotch Oakburn College) ‘The F-Word’ (PDF, 101KB)
- Highly Commended – Emily Schipp (Launceston Church Grammar School) ‘Homage to my House’s Keeper’ (PDF, 100KB)
- Highly Commended – Freya Schelleman (Scotch Oakburn College) ‘The Love of Twelve Stars’ (PDF, 125KB)
Overall Tasmanian
- Winner – Jade Cleary (Scotch Oakburn College) ‘You and I, Laughing Together’
- Runner-up – Olivia Stevens (Scotch Oakburn College) ‘The gift of poetry’