Created by Red Room Poetry, in partnership with Wollongong City Council, Poem Forest deepens our connection with nature by inviting students and communities to create and publish poems inspired by the natural environment. For every poem received, a native tree will be planted on Dharawal and Wodi Wodi Country in the Wollongong LGA to increase critical canopy cover, heal habitats and create a Poem Forest for future generations.
Key Dates
- Poem Forest prize opens Tuesday 29 April 2025
- Submissions close 5pm AEST Friday 26 September 2025.
- Shortlisted poems published in October 2025.
- Winners announced and published November 2025.
- Poem Forest trees planted on Dharawal and Wodi Wodi Country in the Wollongong LGA throughout 2025.
Eligibility
- You must be an Australian student or young person (aged 18 and under), an accredited teacher or a parent/guardian entering on behalf of a student to enter the competition.
- Poems must be no more than 20 lines and identifiably linked to the Poem Forest theme. In 2025 the theme is ‘Understory’.
- Poems submitted must be original works written by an individual author. Poems written by AI will not be accepted.
Additional criteria for special prizes:
- The First Nations Primary (F-Year 6) and First Nations Secondary (Years 7-12) prizes will be awarded to the best poems by students who identify as Aboriginal and are enrolled at school as Aboriginal.
- The CaLD Primary (F-Year 6) and CaLD Secondary (Years 7-12 prizes will be awarded to the best poems written in English by students who identify as having a primary Language other Than English.
- The Wollongong Community Greening Local Prize (F-12)* will be awarded to the best poem by a student (individual prize) and the best collaborative poem (school prize) living or studying on Dharawal and Wodi Wodi Country within the Wollongong LGA. The school prize includes a free excursion/incursion for one (1) class - up to thirty (30) students with Wollongong Botanic Garden.
*Eligibility for The Wollongong Community Greening Local Prize special prizes will be determined by the postcode entered on the poem entry form. You are eligible for the Wollongong Community Greening Prize if you live or study in a postcode within the Wollongong LGA. Please ensure you enter your postcode accurately.
Terms and Conditions
- Poem Forest awards prizes to young people (aged 18 and under) and accredited teachers across Australia. All types of mainstream schooling systems are eligible, as well as home schools, GAT programs, special needs groups, alternative education and individual young writers.
- Poem submissions can be made by students and teachers via the online form (published on Tuesday 29 April as the prize opens). Entries must include either a teacher’s or guardian’s name/email address. Entries sent by email will not be accepted (unless entering the Wollongong Community Greening Prize school prize).
- Poems must be the writer’s original work. Poems submitted must not infringe upon anyone’s copyright. Poems deemed to be works of plagiarism will be disqualified. Poems written by AI will not be accepted.
- Copyright of the poem remains with the poet.
- All Poem Forest submissions will be read by our team after the closing date. By submitting, you give Red Room Poetry and its partners permission to publish your poem and quote excerpts on digital platforms and in our external communications - surnames of people under 18 will not be published. If you check the box in our entry form you also give Red Room Poetry and its partners permission to publish your reflection and quote excerpts on digital platforms and in our external communications.
- Entries are judged anonymously. Judging decisions are final. Due to the volume of submissions, individual feedback cannot be provided.
- Prize details and judging information can be found here.
- All personal details provided will be collected in alignment with our Privacy Policy.
Privacy and personal information
Red Room Poetry understands the importance of, and is committed to, protecting the privacy of personal information for Poem Forest entrants, service users and all stakeholders, as detailed in our Privacy Policy.
Contact
Email: poemforest@redroompoetry.org
Phone: 1800 POETRY
