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SIMPSON PRIZE COMPETITION

The Simpson Prize is a national competition for Year 9 and 10 students which focuses on the service of Australians in World War One and World War Two. 

The 16 winners and runners-up, two from each state and territory, travel to Canberra to participate in a 3-day study program in early 2024. The results of 2024 Simpson Prize will be available on this website at the conclusion of the Canberra Study Program. The 8 Winners will then travel to an overseas destination for an extensive commemorative study tour culminating in Anzac Day ceremonies at that location.

RESULTS 2023 SIMPSON PRIZE

The Simpson Prize Advisory Committee would like to congratulate the successful students in the 2023 Simpson Prize, as follows:

Simpson Prize 2023 - Minister Clare with Students and Teachers
Simpson Prize 2023 – Minister for Education, Jason Clare MP, with Students and Teacher Chaperones

2023 Winners
Essays can be accessed by clicking on the student’s name
Australian Capital Territory
Estelle Vizjak, Canberra High School
New South Wales Murphy Xi, The King’s School
Northern Territory Orm S Khamthongveun, Dripstone Middle School
Queensland Thomas Harris, Brisbane Grammar School
South Australia Charlotte Chung, Seymour College
Tasmania Samuel Castle, The Friends’ School
Victoria Jingyi Luo, Presbyterian Ladies College
Western Australia Emily Yap, Willetton Senior High School

2023 Runners-up

Australian Capital Territory Olgierd Kuss, Canberra High School
New South Wales Toby Scott, St Aloysius’ College
Northern Territory Elijah Lane, Dripstone Middle School
Queensland Lara Edmiston, St Monica’s College
South Australia Akshay Mishra, The Heights School
Tasmania Isabel Adams, The Friends’ School
Victoria Polly Craig, Billanook College
Western Australia Henry McRae, Christ Church Grammar School


2025 Simpson Prize Question 

‘Australia’s relationship with Great Britain explains why Australia and individual Australians went to war.’

Discuss the accuracy of this statement with reference to either World War One OR World War Two?

A link to the 2025 Simpson Prize Question and Sources is:

https://www.awm.gov.au/learn/schools/simpson2025

Instructions

To enter the Simpson Prize you must respond to the question using the Simpson Prize Australian War Memorial Source Selection and your own research.

You are encouraged to discuss and respond to the question from a variety of perspectives, individual and national, using a variety of sources.

You are expected to make effective use of a minimum of 4 provided sources.

Up to half your response should also make use of information drawn from your own knowledge and research.

Schools are permitted to submit up to 3 Student Entries.

Closing date

Submissions are due by 5.00 pm Friday 8 November 2024.

NOTE:  If you submit an entry you should receive an automated receipt. If you don’t receive a receipt please check your junk mail. If you can’t find a receipt please submit again.

Students: Please go to Student Entry Requirements before beginning your entry.
Teachers: Teachers submitting student entries are eligible to become a Teacher Chaperone for Simpson Prize activities; please go to Teacher Chaperone Entry Requirements for details.

Note: Winners will participate in Simpson Prize activities in 2025.

Instructions on how to submit completed entries are found at How to submit entries.


The competition is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and run by the History Teachers’ Association of Australia.