Varuna, the National Writers House, has teamed up with the Whitlam Institute in its ‘What Matters?’ writing competition.
Varuna will generously provide a new artistic merit prize, to be awarded to the entry that demonstrates special imaginative qualities, achieved through exceptionally creative use of language and/or an outstanding concept.
Varuna has been a long-term patron of Australian writers, and the prize will include a mentorship program with an author or journalist.
The winning student will have the opportunity to learn about the career path of a published author as well as receiving advice and practical feedback about their own writing practice.
Inspired by former Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam’s goal of building a creative, concerned community for young people, the What Matters? writing competition attracts thousands of entries from students currently in NSW, the ACT and Tasmania. The institute is working to engage more states.