A record number of entries to the Whitlam Institute’s What Matters writing competition in 2019, has unearthed a deep and compelling passion among young Australians on many of the fundamental issues facing humanity and the nation.
Inspired by Gough Whitlam’s commitment to involving young people in the shaping of Australia, this annual writing competition asks school students in Years 5 to 12 to write a short essay on ‘what matters’ to them, their family, community, country and world.
Topics covered in the finalists’ entries were diverse and included the quality of public debate; loneliness; the threats associated with climate change; humanity; bio-diversity; violence against women and children; drought; poverty and homelessness; pollution; and racism.
In her entry, Taskiya makes the insightful observation: “Humans are frail and complex, unable to keep emotions inside and need support through life.”
Dad Peter said she was very excited with her win.
“She is very creative, always dabbling in writing and has a great imagination,” he said.
“She may turn out to be a professional writer but she has a long list of things she would like to do when she grows up so we’ll have to wait and see.”
For further info or to read Taskiya’s full entry, go to whitlam.org/what-matters-2019-shortlist.
Girl beats thousands with essay win
TASKIYA Gould, a student at Arkana College in Kingsgrove, has won the Year 5/6 category with her entry ‘Loneliness Matters’ in the What Matters essay writing competition – a fantastic accomplishment in a field of more than 4,400 entries this year.