Read about the 2021 winners here.

What Matters? is a ‘catalyst for young thinkers and young writers to develop a perspective, a point of view, on where we’re heading as a society’.

Inspired by Gough Whitlam’s commitment to involving young people in the shaping of Australia’s future, the What Matters? writing competition is currently open to school students in years 5 to 12 from Australia. Responding to the simple question ‘what matters?’, entrants are free to express their views on any matter they care about.