The My Place television series, based on the classic picture book by Nadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins, is a ‘time machine’ which takes audiences back into the past. It depicts the history of one Australian community through the eyes of the diverse children who lived there, highlighting the ways that people and places shape our personal, local and national histories.
Drawing on the text’s themes, the 2022 My Place Competition prompts students to reflect on change and continuity in their own evolving places and communities. What changes have occurred in the natural and built environments, and what remains constant? Do the people in your community have a long connection to the area or are groups ever shifting and changing? How has your own relationship to place changed or continued over time?
We are asking Australian children: tell us about your place.
Jointly presented by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, ABC Education and Reading Australia, the 2022 My Place Competition is open to primary students in Years 1 – 6, secondary students in Years 7 and 8, and special education students of all ages.
Key dates
Entries have now closed.
Winners will be announced in early Term 4.
Categories
Year 1 and 2 – Up to 200 words / 2 pages
Year 3 and 4 – Up to 500 words
Year 5 and 6 – Up to 750 words
Year 7 and 8 - Up to 1000 words
Special Education – No word limit
What to write about
The 2022 My Place Competition asks students to reflect on change and continuity throughout time in their own communities. Participants are invited to submit a short piece of creative writing that captures the history of their own local area and/or the people living there. This could include narratives, historical recounts, letters, diary entries, news reports, poetry, or other forms of creative writing.
Teachers could use the 2022 My Place Competition to address curriculum content in HASS, English, Intercultural Capability, Personal and Social Capability, and more.
What to avoid writing about
Students should be aware that information shared in their submissions may allow others to identify local people and places. The ACTF will seek parent / guardian consent before publishing winning entries.
Winning entries will be published (or linked to) on ACTF, ABC Education and Reading Australia websites and social media channels.
Prizes
Prize partner Walker Books is generously providing book packs to all placegetters as part of this year’s prize package. Placegetters will also receive a copy of My Place signed by author Nadia Wheatley and a certificate of achievement.
Additionally, winning students in each category will receive vouchers to spend in the ACTF Shop:
1st place: $100 ACTF voucher
2nd place: $75 ACTF voucher
3rd place: $50 ACTF voucher
Teachers of all placegetters will receive a copy of the My Place book.
