Youth Writing Contest 2025

Information and Application Form

Value: $2,000

Closing date: 15 October 2025

The English-Speaking Union (Victoria Branch) (the “ESU”) was established in Melbourne in 1919. It is a non-government body, reliant on members, volunteers, supporters and donors to undertake and fund activities. Its mission is to shape the future by promoting the heritage, culture, identity and fellowship of the English-speaking peoples.

The ESU shares the outlook of Winston Churchill, former Chairman of the English-Speaking Union of the British Empire, in his A History of the English-Speaking Peoples (1956-58) in defining the English-speaking peoples as the people of the British Isles and their descendants who settled in countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America.

As a registered Australian charity, the ESU engages in and supports educational and cultural projects that relate to its mission.

The ESU administers the ESU Youth Writing Contest and invites entries for the 2025 Contest.

The prize for the Contest consists of a $2,000 award and certificate for a written work of up to 2,500 words responding to the theme: Where can we find the pioneering spirit that built Australia in today's world? The winning entry will be published on the ESU website. The winning author will also have the option of undertaking a week-long residency at ESU House in Melbourne.

The final judge of the ESU Youth Writing Contest will be Margaret Connolly. Margaret is a long-time literary agent with connections to some of Australia's greatest modern writers, including Les Murray and Christopher Koch.

1. Entry is free.
2. Entry is open to Australian citizens who are aged between 16 and 25 at the closing date.  
3. The entry form must be completed in full.
4. The ESU may use relevant material provided in the application for media and promotion.
5. By applying, the applicant agrees to participate in media publicity and promotion associated with the contest, including the use of photos submitted or taken at any presentation ceremony, and including the publication of the winning entry on the ESU website.
6. Applications close on 15 October 2025.
7. The contest winner will acknowledge the ESU’s support in any future publication (print or online) of their entry.
8. The decisions of the judging panel and the final judge are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Applications must include the following:

1. A cover letter with a brief bio of yourself.
2. Your entry to the contest, up to 2,500 words. 
3. The application must include certified copies of (a) proof of applicant’s date of birth and, if not born in Australia, (b) proof of Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency status. (See: https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/certifiedcopies for advice on how to obtain certification of original documents.)

The judging panel will prepare a shortlist for the final judge, Margaret Connolly, who will select the winner. 

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the selection process via email with the winner/s featured on the ESU website.

Receipt of all applications will be automatically acknowledged upon submission.

All entrants will be notified of the outcome of the selection process with the winner/s featured on the ESU website.

It is acknowledged that in administering the Youth Writing Contest, the English-Speaking Union (Victoria Branch) will need to collect personal information from the applicant. The ESU is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of individuals. Click HERE to read the ESU Privacy Policy.

The English-Speaking Union (Victoria Branch) is committed to the safety and well-being of children. Our Child Protection Policy can be found HERE.

Please note that our preferred method of correspondence is by email to projects@esuvic.org.au