Key Points

  • What Matters? Writing competition is OPEN NOW for students in years 5-12.
  • Tasmanian and National awards and prizes.
  • Submit your entries online at the What Matters? Writing Competition website.
  • Entries close Friday, 16 May 2025.
What Matters? Writing Competition with 3 cartoon hands holding a pencil, and stars over a light blue background.

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. Entries can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry or prose of up to 600 words. 

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 in the 2025 What Matters? Writing Competition close on Friday, 16 May 2025.

How to enter

Entries are submitted online at What Matters? Writing Competition website by Friday 16 May 2025.

Students can enter through their school, or from home via the website. Teacher or parent/guardian contact information will need to be provided at the time of submission.

On this page
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  1. Key Points
  2. About the ‘What Matters?’ writing competition
  3. How to enter
  4. National awards and prizes
  5. Tasmanian State Awards and Prizes
  6. 2024 Tasmanian State Award Winners

Learning

  1. School terms and holidays
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  11. Aboriginal Education Services
  12. LGBTIQA+ equality in Tasmanian government schools
  13. LGBTIQA+ equality and inclusion in education
  14. International students studying in Tasmanian Government schools
  15. Awards and scholarships for students
    1. Alma Lily Stackhouse Scholarship
    2. Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarships
    3. What Matters? writing competition
    4. The Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize
    5. Tasmanian Training Awards
    6. WorldSkills Australia competitions
  16. Information for schools and educators