Member for Roe Peter Rundle MLA is encouraging young people aged 16 – 22 across the region with a knack for storytelling to enter the 20th annual Heywire competition.
Each year, regional ABC stations select a winning Heywire competition entry to represent their part of Australia, with winners afforded the opportunity to work alongside ABC staff to produce their story to be featured on ABC radio.
Mr Rundle said the Heywire competition enabled young people from across regional Australia to have their voices heard and to make a difference within their communities.
“For two decades the Heywire competition has enabled country kids to share their observations about the world and to provide a direct insight into their lives in regional Australia through storytelling,” Mr Rundle said.
“Participants can tell their stories in the form of text, video, photography or an audio presentation to raise awareness of issues, challenges and opportunities facing young people in their communities.”
Previous winners from the Roe electorate include Luke Stevens from Gibson, Rebecca Hocking from Esperance, and Laura Bairstow from Dumbleyung, among others.
The Nationals WA spokesperson for youth Hon Martin Aldridge MLC said the Heywire competition was a fantastic opportunity for regional young people to make new friends, gain invaluable experience and shape the future of their communities.
“As part of the Heywire competition groups of young people also have the opportunity to promote their change initiatives which aim to make regional Australia a better place,” Mr Aldridge said.
“Heywire competition winners also have the opportunity to attend the Heywire Regional Youth Summit in Canberra to foster ideas to improve regional WA for young people.
“Grants of up to $10,000 from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal are available to community organisations to help make these ideas a reality.”