2025 Awards

A HUGE congratulations to every student that entered this years Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Competition. This year we received nearly 8,500 poems from over 5,800 students from 660 schools.

Our digital presentation includes messages from:

• Welcome for Country performed by the Deadly Dance Academy from Gunnedah.

• Federal Minister for Education, Hon Jason Clare MP

• Jackie Hosking – Lower Primary Section Judge

• Kristin Martin –  Upper Primary Section Judge

• Karen Comer – Secondary Section Judge

The “Barn Owl” trophies were designed and created by local Gunnedah artists –  mother-daughter sculpting duo Julie & Fiona Laurie.

Special thanks to Mullaley Public School for being part of the digital presentation with their rendition of “My Country”.

We also thank all the teachers, students and parents who entered this years competition, the poems have been inspirational.

We look forward to seeing next year’s entries!

For the list of shortlisted, highly commended and commended poems, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.