From the constant chatter of a bird pond to a dingo lying in wait and a grey-headed flying fox dreaming of nectar, we are delighted to bring you the winning poems of the 2024 POEM FOREST prize.

Selected from over 5,400 nature poems written by students and teachers across the continent, these 17 winning and highly commended works burst with creativity and care, from the finest detail in the present to imaginings of deep time.

Congratulations to our winning poets and all who entered the prize. Every poem has helped to plant native seedlings in schoolyards, parks, along local streets and in Tiny Forests on Dharawal and Wodi Wodi Country in the Wollongong LGA, which has some of the lowest canopy cover in all of NSW. These trees will improve climate resilience, provide habitats for native flora and fauna, and create a better future for all.

Judges' Report

The 2024 POEM FOREST prize winners were carefully selected by our wonderful judges:

• celebrated Yankunytjatjara poet Ali Cobby Eckermann
• Kamilaroi man, STEM champion and founder of DeadlyScience Corey Tutt
• horticulturist and Wollongong Botanic Garden Education Officer Penny Hoswell
• 2023 POEM FOREST Threatened Species highly commended poet Pardis Mahmoudian

“What a wonderful project and the joy of reading so many beautiful poems of nature. Thanks for the opportunity. It restored my faith in Australian poetry." ~ Ali Cobby Eckermann

Read our 2024 POEM FOREST Winners Anthology and Judges' Report here

Winning Poems

Lower Primary (F/K-Y3)

Winner
'Waiting' by Lachlan R, Year 3, Moonee Ponds West Primary School (VIC)

Highly Commended
'Yellow Tree' by Ryan W, Year 3, Oatley West Public School (NSW)

Upper Primary (Y4-Y6)

Winner
'The World Awakens' by Alyssa M, Year 5, Abbotsleigh Junior School (NSW)

Highly Commended
'Tadpole Pangka' by Cody B, Year 4, Morphett Vale East School (SA)

Lower Secondary (Y7-Y9)

Winner
'Stick your leaves back on' by Emily M, Year 8, Cornish College (VIC)

Highly Commended
'they tell me stories' by Briar Q, Year 9, Abbotsleigh, Wahroonga (NSW)

Upper Secondary (Y10-Y12)

Winner
'Remembering Birds' by Rowan K, Year 11, Reddam House North Bondi (NSW)

Highly Commended
'macrocosm' by Shuen C, Year 10, Rossmoyne Senior High School (WA)

Accredited Teacher

Winner
'Of Passing' by Blake Nuto, Teacher, St Michael's Collegiate School (TAS)

Highly Commended
'Letter to the genie on the occasion of her death' by Cameron Ling, Teacher, Keira High School (NSW)

Threatened Species Prize (F/K-Y12)

Winner
'Life of a Grey-Headed Flying Fox' by Elysia Roselle W, Year 1, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (NSW)

Highly Commended
'I Shed a Tear' by Olivia K, Year 9, Meriden School (NSW)

Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan Local Prize (F/K-Y12)

Winner
'Pebble in a River' by Euie S, Year 8, Macquarie Fields High School (NSW)

Highly Commended
'A Symphony of the Sea' by Mia B, Year 8, Oran Park Anglican College (NSW)
'the sea' by Maddison M, Year 8, Oran Park Anglican College (NSW)

Wollongong Community Greening Local Prize (F/K-Y12)

Winner
'Everything Around Us Dancing' by Alice O, Year 6, Coledale Public School (NSW)

Highly Commended
'Are we forgiven?' by Ada G, Year 6, Coledale Public School (NSW)

POEM FOREST would not have been possible without the support of our generous donors and partners.