The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority supports the prize and provides judges for the competition. Entrants submit an essay of no more than 2000 words directly to the Foundation. Visit www.johnbuttonprize.org.au for more information.
Thomas Posa, a Year 11 student at Melbourne High School, won the inaugural John Button School Prize. The winner was announced at the John Button Oration held at BMW Edge as part of the Melbourne Writers Festival on Saturday 27 August.
Thomas, who will receive $2,500 and a commemorative plaque, won the Prize for his essay, Australian Healthcare Policy and Reform since 2007. Melbourne High School also receives a plaque and $2,000.
Honourable Mentions were awarded to Phoebe Jones of Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak for an essay on asylum seeker policy and Anna Gruen of Melbourne Girls Grammar School for an essay on the carbon tax and climate change.