The 2024 Young Voices Awards are brought to you in conjunction with Australian Catholic University.
The YVA theme for 2024 is 'Do good, be good, spread good news'. The competition is open to secondary school and senior primary school students – Junior (Years 5 and 6); Intermediate (Years 7 to 9); or Senior (Years 10 to 12). Teachers are encouraged to incorporate this theme into classroom planning so that students can submit their assessment to the competition or interested students can submit original projects individually.
Each section has three entry categories: articles, photographs and digital (video or podcast). This year, prizes will be awarded for each category. A selection of the best entries will appear in the magazine (with permission from the creator and their parents).
ENTRY AGES
The Young Voices Awards have three sections:
- Junior (Years 5 and 6)
- Intermediate (Years 7 to 9)
- Senior (Years 10 to 12).
Each section has three entry categories: Articles, Photographs and Digital (Video or Podcast). This year, prizes will be awarded for each category.
PRIZES
Senior Winner Article
Seven Steps workshop of your choice (for teachers) value $330
Sharpie/Paper Mate/Elmers prize pack value $170
Senior Winner Photograph/Digital
Cash
Intermediate Winner Article
Seven Steps workshop of your choice (for teachers) value $330
Sharpie/Paper Mate/Elmers prize pack value $170
Intermediate Winner Photograph/Digital
Cash
Junior Winner Article
Seven Steps workshop of your choice (for teachers) value $330
Sharpie/Paper Mate/Elmers prize pack value $170
Junior Winner Photograph/Digital
Cash
All you need to know about entering is in the video below.
ENTERING THE YOUNG VOICES AWARDS
Before you start:
- What are you passionate about? Protecting the environment? Caring for the marginalised? Getting involved in your community? Sharing your culture? Celebrating your faith? Choose a topic that inspires you.
- How might you get other people thinking about your topic? Is there someone you can interview? Is there an inspiring story you can share? How can you be creative so you can capture people’s attention with something different?
- What format works best? Do you need to write an article, or could you present the topic through photographs? Could you record a podcast, or film a video? What will you have the most enjoyment doing?
CRAFTING A WINNING ENTRY
Writing
Our judges will be looking for writing that engages readers from the outset, and presents a compelling story or argument around a particular issue. You could write a journalistic article, interviewing people and sharing their perspectives. You could write an informative article, sharing facts and figures in a creative way. You could write a personal reflection, sharing your own ideas and experiences. You could even write an imaginative piece, engaging people with the power of stories.
Required word length: No more than 400 words (Junior) or 600 words (Intermediate and Senior).
Photography
Our judges will be looking for powerful images that have an impact on how we see a particular issue. Think about what will have an impact on audiences: What do people need to see? What will best tell the story you want to tell? What might inspire people to change?
Requirements: Between one and four original photos, with a 30 to 50 word caption.
Digital
Our judges will be looking for podcasts or videos that understand how these mediums can inspire and influence people. You could feature a one-to-one interview with someone sharing their story, or have a single presenter unpacking a topic in an interesting or imaginative way. Make sure you consider how you might use different audio or visual elements to keep the audience’s attention.
Requirements: Entries (audio or visual) should be no more than three minutes long (Junior) or five minutes long (Intermediate and Senior) and should be accompanied by a transcript
Deadline: Entries are due by 5pm (AEST), Friday 24 May 2024.
LOOKING FOR MORE IDEAS?
Check out the winning entries from 2023 for more ideas.
ENTRY FORMS
Junior Section (Years 5 and 6)
Intermediate Section (Years 7, 8 and 9)
Senior Section (Years 10, 11 and 12)
Terms and conditions:
- Entries must be the work of individual students – team entries are not accepted. Only one entry per student will be accepted.
- Entries can only be submitted electronically using the above submission forms. Please ensure all details, including teacher contact details, are supplied. Please follow the instructions and requirements on the entry forms.
- Print entries: Entries must not exceed 400 words for Junior section (Year 5 and 6) and 600 words for Intermediate section (Year 7, 8 and 9) and Senior Section (Year 10, 11 and 12).
- Photo entries: Entries should include between two and four photos, and one 30- to 50-word caption covering all the photos.
- Digital entries: Entries should be no more than three minutes long (Junior) or five minutes long (Intermediate and Senior), and should be accompanied by a transcript.
- All entries must have a unique, relevant title.
- Closing date for entries is 5pm (AEST) Friday 24 May 2024. Entries arriving after this date will not be accepted.
- The decision of the judges is final. Winners will be notified via their school before the Spring 2024 edition goes to press.
- Winning articles and images will be published in the Spring 2024 issue of the magazine. Digital entries will be posted on our website. All winning entries will need release forms from the parents/guardians of the students, as well as the subjects if they are under 18. Prizes will be forwarded to the school for distribution.
Good luck!
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS