A CALL for the traditional languages of our land to be taught within the school curriculum has won a young Port Macquarie writer top honours.
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Nikki Parsons of St Joseph’s Regional College won first place in the year 7-8 category of the prestigious Whitlam Institute’s ‘What Matters?’ writing competition.
The year 8 student won her age group over 1100 entries from New South Wales, Tasmania and the ACT with her contribution ‘Our Language Matters’.
Nikki responded to three questions about how to build a better society, what actions needed to be taken and the key issues people should care about.
Her written piece explored the possibility of teaching the region’s Gathang language in local schools.
Bianca Green, also in year 8, was shortlisted with her submission ‘The Hardest Decision’ - a personal and heartfelt account about organ donation.
Both students made the top 30 of all the 1110 entries in their age group.
Nikki will now be flown to Sydney by the Institute to attend the 'What Matters?' award ceremony on September 4 where the overall winner will be announced. She received a cash prize and will attend a writer's workshop led by Australian author Bernard Cohen.
