Yarning competition – Encouraging First Nations students to speak up

The Department of the House of Representatives has launched Yarning, an exciting new competition designed to celebrate storytelling and amplify the voices of First Nations secondary school students across Australia. This initiative aims to raise awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures while fostering a deeper connection between young Indigenous Australians and the work of the Australian Parliament.

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Yarning provides a platform for students to share their perspectives, experiences, and stories with a broader audience. By participating, students will also gain a greater understanding of the role of the Department of the House of Representatives and the wider functions of the Australian Parliament.

Uncovering yarns from all corners

The competition is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 7–12. A winner will be chosen from each of three age groups 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12. Students from regional, rural, and remote areas are especially encouraged to take part, ensuring that stories from all corners of Australia are represented.

Entrants can select from four themes:
• Country and Connection – exploring the deep connection between First Nations people and land and water
• Identity and Culture – reflect on what it means to be First Nations people
• Family and Community – stories of strength, resilience and cultural pride within the community
• Reconciliation – sharing thoughts on reconciliations and its significance to the broader community

While most of us would consider yarning to be verbally communicating a story, students are given the opportunity to express their stories through various creative formats, including:
• 2D artworks such as drawing or painting
• Written pieces (maximum of 400 words)
• Photographs (maximum 10 in a series)
• Video – live action, animated or mixed media, 2-4 minutes
• Audio – songs, poems, speeches, or soundscapes, 2-4 minutes

Students are encouraged to include any Indigenous language, together with an English translation.

What will make a winning yarn?

Entries will be judged based on:
• The power and engagement of the storytelling
• Originality and creativity
• Relevance to the chosen theme
• Care and effort in presentation

To ensure that cultural authenticity and creative expression are valued and recognised, all entries will be reviewed by a judging panel comprising members of the APS Indigenous Senior Executive Network (ISEN) and the Parliamentary Services Indigenous Employee Network (PSIEN).

Prizes to tell home about

Three winners and their parent/guardian will be flown to Canberra for a three-night stay, where they will:
• Meet with the Minister and Shadow Ministers for Indigenous Australians
• Present their winning entries
• Enjoy a private tour of Parliament House and attend Question Time
• Morning tea with staff, members and Senators
• Receive a special prize pack from the Parliament Shop

The competition is now open, and entries can be submitted via the online entry form until 30 May 2025. This is an exciting opportunity for young First Nations Australians to showcase their creativity, share their stories, and engage with the Australian Parliament in a meaningful way.

For more information and to submit an entry, direct students to: Yarning Competition – Sharing Stories, Celebrating Culture