Poetry and Song Writing 2010 Winners

Competition entrants were asked to use 2010's Reconciliation Week theme "Reconciliation: The Road Ahead" as inspiration for their poems and lyrics. The competition was fierce, however the poems below stood out for their tone, form and their vision of a reconciled Australia.

Eloise Woodward of Dobroyd Point Primary School, Haberfield

Years 3-4

1st Prize Winner - Eloise Woodward

The Road Ahead *excerpt.

I can see it shining from the corner of my eye,
Shining brightly with pride and strength.
Go on feel it and do what you think is right.
Face your fears head on.
Can I trust you to guide me on my way to lead this world to peace?

Yarden Erez Rein of Coogee South Public School, Coogee

Years 5-6

1st Prize Winner - Yarden Erez Rein

The Road Ahead *excerpt.

Once you've walked the first path
There will only be another
There will only be another road
But the road can be changed

Andrew Pulletti of International Grammar School, Sydney

Years 5-6

2nd Prize Winner - Andrew Pulletti

Reconciliation *excerpt.

Reconciliation
Equally sharing Australia
Children, Mothers, Fathers, Brothers and Sisters that have been affected from what we did
Offering help when its needed
Never doing what we did again

Frances Howe of International Grammar School, Sydney

Years 5-6

3rd Prize Winner - Frances Howe

Sorry *excerpt.

We will work together to reunite
We know what happened was not right
I hope nothing but grace
In this beautiful unique place
No war, nothing raw
Just happiness and joy

Emily See, Montana Power, Cooper Stace of Cessnock West Public School, Cessnock

Group Prize

Cessnock West Public School

In Harmony *excerpt.

It's time for us, to walk and talk together,
It's time for us, to build the dreams we share.
To be one, in this land and our endeavours,
To show the world, as one we really care.

Marcus Neal Reynolds of Carroll College, Broulee

Years 9-10

Marcus Neal Reynolds

Reflections *excerpt.

They stole and damaged our spirit we are strong proud owners of the land
And so now they understand.
Friend or foe who knows?
But no longer must we feel unwanted or discouraged
Now we, full of courage, can move forward as a nation together, forever.
Unite as one.
Black and white the war is done.