The Future Leaders Awards recognise and reward young Australians who have shown achievement, leadership and potential.

Future Leaders Writing Prize
Helen Handbury Leadership Award
Future Leaders Future Justice Award
Future Leaders Photography Prize
Vivienne McCutcheon Environment Award

Find Out More

‘… winning the Future Leaders Writing Prize allowed me to realise the effect my writing has on others; the power the written word has to inspire connection, shift perceptions and ignite passion. This is something I remind myself of each time I write’.

writing.org.au provides a digital space for writing about societal issues.

The past year has seen human health and the health of the planet become inextricably linked in Australia, with the loss of millions of animals and destruction of their habitat from out-of-control wildfires foreshadowing another warning from the natural world – the unknowable consequences of a pandemic. Climate, Health and Courage brings together scientists, psychologists, researchers and thinkers who have hope for the future and provide a range of approaches and suggestions to help us come to grips with the challenges of climate change, even as we continue to struggle with the challenge of COVID-19.

The past decade has seen such exponential growth in technology and applications of artificial intelligence, it can sometimes be overwhelming to evaluate their impacts, large and small. The contributions to Artificial Intelligence for Better or Worse examine a range of areas that have experienced enormous changes and continue to be shaped by AI. The positive uses of AI, such as the ability to monitor events in the natural world to better assess how we can care for our surroundings, and the myriad applications available in healthcare, are remarkable. Yet the misuse and intrusiveness of AI, undertaken by many actors, including governments and corporations, is a daily concern. The authors in this book provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges of AI, with suggestions and recommendations for dealing with the concerns they raise.

Valuing Australia’s National Heritage describes the progressive development of a national heritage consciousness from early settlement onwards. It shows the different ways this consciousness led to national heritage protection for natural areas, Indigenous places and historic sites. The book describes the origins and development of the Australian Heritage Commission and includes a personal memoir describing the author’s role in helping to establish the Commission and set it on its future course. Valuing Australia’s National Heritage laments the current neglect of national heritage, the apparent unwillingness to add places to the national lists, and the complete inadequacy of funding available. It concludes with suggestions for more enlightened policies. The book includes images of UNESCO World Heritage listed sites including of Lord Howe Island by Jack Shick.

We live in an uncertain world with change occurring faster than most of us would like. The changes encompass political, social, medical, technological and environmental domains that have an impact on us all. Fragility and Hope in a World of Uncertainty seeks to provide a measured and timely response to our concerns, with contributions from well-known Australians who care deeply about the issues that continue to challenge us, including climate change, generational and gender inequality,mental health, and nuclear weapons. The selection of essays in the second part of the book showcases the themes and talent of the Young Writers who participated in the Future Leaders Writing Prizes.