about yarning

About the competition

The Yarning Competition is an exciting opportunity for First Nations secondary school students across Australia to share their unique stories and experiences. Developed by the Department of the House of Representatives, the competition aims to raise awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and provide a platform for young First Nations Australians to connect with the work of the Australian Parliament.

The competition is about storytelling – participants are invited to express their lived experiences through various creative mediums, such as written words, videos, photos, audio recordings or art. We encourage students from regional, rural and remote areas to take part and showcase their stories, whether they are about family, community, culture, connection to Country, or any other important aspect of their lives.

The main goal of Yarning is to give young First Nations students the chance to share their perspectives and stories with a broader audience. The secondary objective is to increase students’ understanding of the Department of the House of Representatives and the Australian Parliament, creating a deeper connection between First Nations youth and the work of Parliament.

eligibility

The competition is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from across Australia who are currently enrolled in secondary school and fall into one of the following year groups:

Year 7/8
Year 9/10
Year 11/12

how to enter

Entries can be submitted online via the entry form.

Submissions are now CLOSED.

For students under the age of 18, parent or guardian consent is required. This is incorporated into the entry form.

Themes

Students can choose from any of the following themes for their submission:

country and connection

Explore the deep connection First Nations peoples have with the land and waters, and traditional practices.

family and community

Share stories of strength, resilience and cultural pride within your community.

identity and culture

Reflect on what it means to be First Nations peoples and how culture shapes your identity.

reconciliation

Share your thoughts on reconciliation and its significance to First Nations peoples and the broader community.

Creative Mediums

Students can choose from any of the following themes for their submission:

Artwork

A two-dimensional artwork (think painting, drawing or illustration). Maximum size of 100 cm x 100 cm.

Text

A piece of writing that can be handwritten and scanned or typed. Maximum 400 words.

photographs

A single photograph or multiple, taken with a digital or analogue camera.
Maximum 10 photographs in a series.

video

A video work that can be live-action, animated or use mixed media.
Minimum 2 minutes & maximum 4 minutes in length.

audio

A song, speech, soundscape … you name it, but it has to be audio only.
Minimum 2 minutes & maximum 4 minutes in length.