Best student poets score trophy, $500 donation for schools’ P&C

In the fourth year of the competition, Rafa Sapungan from Lidcombe Public School took home first place in the Junior Poet Laureate, while Sophie Du from Birrong Girls High was selected as the Senior Poet Laureate.
Both students did a fantastic job crafting poems with the 2023 theme of Seeing Things Differently, showing off their writing and creative arts skills.
Finalists were selected from both categories, with the winners receiving a trophy and a $500 donation to their school’s P&C. The finalists and winners were selected from entries across the electorate’s schools by Nadia Repin (former Head of English at Sefton High) and Walter Mason (accomplished travel writer and literary speaker).
Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake was a special guest at the presentation to present the winners their awards and congratulated all of the students on their work.
State MP for Auburn, Lynda Voltz, said it was fantastic to see local students expressing their creative talents through poetry.
“I was delighted to see so many local students entering this year’s Auburn Poet Laureate,” she said.
“We had a great range of entries dealing with this year’s theme, and I know our judges Nadia and Walter thoroughly enjoyed reading through them all.
“Congratulations to Rafa and Sophie and their schools – their work is a credit to their teachers and families.”
Copies of the finalists poems are available by contacting Ms Voltz’s office on 9737 8822.