Past Competitions

National History Challenge research-based competition

The National History Challenge invites students to be historians – researching and interpreting the past. MoAD is pleased to sponsor the special category Democracy Matters. 

In 2019, students from years F–12 were invited to research and create an entry that considers examples of people and power in democracy. Entries were not limited to Australian figures. They could include local, national and global political leaders, activists, philosophers and political parties who have influenced the development of democracy.

To learn more about MoAD's special category, visit the National History Challenge website.

Congratulations to all students who participated in the 2019 Challenge. MoAD hosted the ACT National History Challenge presentation on 14 November in the historic House of Representatives Chamber. The 2019 national presentation was held on 2 December at Australian Parliament House (pictured).

2019 Moad special category winner Madeleine Horner with MoAD Deputy Director Andrew Harper.

Read the 2019 winning entry for MoAD’s special category 

2018 Moad special category winner Jay Jeong with MoAD Deputy Director Andrew Harper.

Read the 2018 winning entry for MoAD’s special category.

Images courtesy of the History Teachers’ Association of Australia.

What Matters? writing competition

What Matters? is an annual writing competition run by the Whitlam Institute. This is a chance to express what matters to you in society today.

Entry is open to students in years 5 to 12 from NSW, the ACT, Tasmania, VIC and WA. There are no restrictions on topic or theme; entries are restricted to a 400–600 word opinion piece on any topic of choice.

How to enter

• Write an original 400–600 word opinion piece on what matters to you and why
• Submit your entry online through the Whitlam Institute’s website.
• Further guidelines and classroom resources are available

Student Prizes

• All entrants will receive a certificate of participation
• Cash prizes are awarded in 4 categories: Years 5/6, 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12
• The overall competition winner, announced at the awards ceremony, will receive an iPad and a trophy
• The overall winner will also receive a MoAD prize – an invitation to spend a day at MoAD as a VIP.
• See the Whitlam Institute for the full list of prizes, terms and conditions

Congratulations to all students who participated in the 2019 competition. 

The 2019 winner Mia Horsfall visited MoAD and went behind the scenes, explored the collection, met the Director Daryl Karp, and contributed her voice to our democracy.

The 2019 What Matters? writing competition was proudly supported by the Museum of Australian Democracy, Writing NSW, ReachOut.com, WestWords, The Writing Workshop and Varuna, the National Writers House.