We are excited to share the winners of the Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation writing competition 2022.
Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation (PPCfR) annual writing competition is a great local initiative, providing a platform for all ages to explore and share their perspectives on reconciliation themes and issues.
This year’s competition focused on the 2022 NAIDOC theme “Get Up Stand Up Show Up”.
Reconciliation Victoria congratulates all competition winners for sharing their meaningful stories and poems, and we thank all entrants for giving us a window into what reconciliation looks like for them.
We also thank PPCfR for granting us permission to share the winning entries and applaud them for the great work they continue to do to strengthen relationships with First Peoples and non-Indigenous people.
Established in 1997, PPCfR is a valuable member of the Victorian local reconciliation group network, and they play an active role in helping to promote understanding of First Nations Peoples, histories, and cultures.
“This theme was chosen as the emphasis this year was on rallying for systematic change for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. While this week of celebration [NAIDOC Week] is a great opportunity for Australians to learn more about First Nations cultures and histories, it is vital that these celebrations move beyond awareness to ongoing action for the injustices still endured by the country’s First Peoples through colonialism. The writings in this selection reflect this.”
“This year’s writers chose to express themselves through poetry and short story. Works ranged across a broad range of themes and issues involved in the ongoing journey to Reconciliation, in Australia between First Nations and settler Australians. Writers this year engaged with long standing structural issues still impacting on equality; racism in sport, on public transport and in the classroom; and the need to address the everyday incidents of ignorance and prejudice as well as the national ones. The long and still yet ignored call for a Treaty; the Uluru Statement from the Heart; and the continuing national disgrace of deaths in custody.
All works were passionate calls for all Australians to act now towards Reconciliation and ongoing commitment to and pride in First Nations Peoples and cultures. A journey that must as these writers all express be taken together and one that must be lead, shaped and guided by First Peoples.”
First– Voiceless by Alanah Andrews
Second – TheLand by David Emblin
Third –Get Up Stand Up Show Up by Robyn Neeland
First – Awaken by Maxine Fan
Second – Enough is Enough by Emma Jebb
Third – Redgum by Charly Murphy
High Commended
WOKA by Vanessa Harbrow
Too Much is Taken by Annabel Johnston
Image: The PPCfR Awards Ceremony held on 14 October 2022. Deb Stewart, who headed the competition committee on PPCfR’s behalf is pictured with winners; Annabel Johnstone, Emma Jebb, Maxine Fan and Charly Murphy. Nominee Vanessa Harbrow was unable to attend.
Credit to PPCfR
Reconciliation Victoria acknowledges the valuable support we receive from our funding partners.
