Forty-one regional Australians, aged between 16 and 22, were honoured today as winners of the ABC’s Heywire storytelling competition.
Each winner was selected as the outstanding storyteller in their region from almost 700 entries nationwide. From Grenfell in NSW, to Robinson River in the Northern Territory, from Palm Island in Queensland, to Penguin in Tasmania and Manjimup in WA, their stories come from every corner of the country.
The winning stories will be broadcast across ABC radio and featured on ABC TV and iView. In a media landscape which often lacks the voices of young people, especially those from outside capital cities, Heywire amplifies these important perspectives.
In February, winners will come together in Canberra for the Heywire Regional Youth Summit. At the Summit, they will meet with Members of Parliament, Senators and community leaders, to share their view on issues which they are passionate about, including mental health, substance abuse, access to services and cultural diversity.
The Director of ABC Regional, Fiona Reynolds, says “ This year’s winners provide a unique perspective on the challenges and joys of life in regional Australia. “Every year we are blown away by the honesty and candour of the stories we receive,” she said.
“Heywire offers the chance for these young people to be heard nationally and to develop as leaders in their communities. The future for regional Australia is very bright, with young people as passionate and articulate as these.”
From enjoying the big rain which ends years of drought; to settling in Mt Gambier after fleeing war-torn Syria; from delivering lambs during a storm in Central Victoria; to rediscovering your language and culture in remote WA, these stories showcase the diversity and talent of young people living in regional, rural and remote Australia.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, said the Coalition Government is proud to support the important Heywire programme, providing funding to continue the programme for another three years.
“Heywire is a wonderful initiative that helps our young country people inform national discussions to address issues affecting their communities, but it is also a fantastic way to highlight what is great about life in regional and rural Australia.
“I commend these young people for telling it how it is and making a difference for their communities across the nation.
“I am excited to meet this year’s winners to learn more about their experiences and help get their stories heard on a national scale.”
2017 Heywire Winners
|
Name |
Town |
Story |
|
Sheetal Mangal |
Canberra, ACT |
Migrating from Fiji, I discovered home is the people you love |
|
Leah Robins |
Dubbo, NSW |
Working the land Grandpa never saw sun safety as an issue, for me it’s second nature |
|
Jamilla Dempsey |
Austinmer, NSW |
Dealing with my own mental illness has helped me assist others |
|
Caitlin Muddle |
Dungog, NSW |
Hopefully the end of my family farm will be the beginning of another family’s happiness |
|
Nicholas Stacey |
Tamworth, NSW |
My town is special; it just took me a while to notice |
|
Mitchell Pitman |
Casino, NSW |
I was told I’d never walk. But I wasn’t going to let that happen! |
|
Georgie McKelvie |
Temora, NSW |
Discovering the difference between the country and city |
|
Yongyan Xia |
Grenfell, NSW |
Regional Australia is home, but I don’t want to lose my only connection with China |
|
Connor May |
Merimbula, NSW |
I used to dream of flying, now I dream about being a pilot |
|
Daroo Morris |
Mitchells Island, NSW |
No matter how hard life is… you can achieve anything |
|
Cristella Campbell |
Robinson River, NT |
I love my Nana’s stories about the old days on the cattle station |
|
Claire Wright |
Tennant Creek, NT |
Caring for mum as multiple sclerosis takes hold |
|
Kieran Martin |
Willowra, NT |
I’m going to make my grandpa proud and overcome life’s challenges |
|
Breanna Cook |
Monto, Qld |
My horse and I share a unique bond |
|
Mandi Edwards |
Emerald, Qld |
Choosing to start a family at 17 does not make me a cliché |
|
Ben Grace |
Cairns, Qld |
My identity was forged in the wilderness of the Far North |
|
Mikayla Mayoh |
Townsville, Qld |
My cousin’s death changed my perspective on drug addiction |
|
Raikiesha Castors |
Palm Island, Qld |
Going to boarding school has made me two-ways strong |
|
Zoe Barnes |
Mackay, Qld |
Volunteering and giving back to my community was my way out of depression |
|
Kate Skinner |
Mountain Creek, Qld |
Surf Life Savers are meant to help others but that day we needed help |
|
Bella Joseland |
Yaraka, Qld |
After years of drought, the rain brings so much happiness on my remote station |
|
Ranim Alkharabeh |
Mount Gambier, SA |
Fleeing the war in Syria for a beautiful life in Australia |
|
Natasha Leedham |
Karoonda, SA |
Country cricket is for everyone, even shy girls like me |
|
Krystin Mance |
Coober Pedy, SA |
Saving our Outback Drive-in showed me the true spirit of Coober Pedy |
|
Kane Goldsworthy |
Port Neill, SA |
Finding friendships in a rural town full of retirees |
|
Brian Edwards |
Broken Hill, SA |
Volunteering as a first-aider in the outback was one of my best decisions |
|
Dominic Rheinberger |
Hobart, Tas |
How I overcame depression and my addiction to graffiti |
|
Brooke Farrelly |
Penguin, Tas |
I was Tasmania’s first junior drag racer |
|
Oliver Wood |
Launceston, Tas |
Being transgender in a rural town |
|
Eman Soliman |
Shepparton, Vic |
I am proud to wear a hijab |
|
Ashley Eadon |
Woodend, Vic |
Dad’s community spirit has given our family so much |
|
Lauren Shin Carlson |
Phillip Island, Vic |
As a Korean-Australian I’m lucky to have two cultures |
|
Emiley Cody |
Ross Creek, Vic |
Moments like this is why my family are farmers |
|
Navneet Bhatha |
Swan Hill, Vic |
Getting to know my new multicultural community |
|
Josephine Bond |
St Helen’s Plains, Vic |
The wind change saved many properties from the fire… but it destroyed ours |
|
Molly Hunt |
Wyndham, WA |
Taking the leap from a remote community to boarding school |
|
Kyle Reinke |
Lancelin, WA |
Why don’t we support kangaroo shooters? |
|
Sam Baxter |
Denmark, WA |
I wonder what I’d be like without our holidays at The Bay |
|
Regan Austin |
Manjimup, WA |
How riding a “kids toy” changed my life |
|
Caitlin Tippett |
Jigalong, WA |
I arrived at Jigalong knowing nothing about my ancestors, language or culture |
|
Luke Stevens |
Gibson, WA |
The day we lost a family friend in a bushfire |