Poem Forest is a free nature writing program and prize that breathes life back into the natural world that sustains us.
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 tree will be planted on Dharawal and Wodi Wodi Country in the Wollongong LGA to help heal habitats and create a Poem Forest for future generations.
Categories of entry
- Lower primary (F–Year 3)
- Upper primary (Years 4–6)
- Primary First Nations
- Primary CaLD
- Lower secondary (Years 7–9)
- Upper secondary (Years 10–12)
- Secondary First Nations
- Secondary CaLD
- Accredited Teacher (All ages)
- Wollongong Community Greening Local Prize (F–12)
Prizes
The following prizes will be awarded to the best poem in each category:
- Poem published on Red Room Poetry website and social media
- $100 book pack from Dymocks
- Native Seeds pack
- Poetry journal
- Judging notes and winner’s certificate
Highly Commended prizes in each category will also be awarded a book prize.
Publishing Outcomes
Shortlisted, Highly Commended and Winning poems will be published on the Red Room Poetry website in our digital Poem Forest with a worldwide audience of 300,000+ readers.
Special Prize Categories
First Nations Primary (F-Year 6) & First Nations Secondary (Years 7-12) Prizes
The First Nations Primary and First Nations Secondary prizes will be awarded to Aboriginal identifying students. To be eligible for this category you must identify as Aboriginal and be enrolled as such at school. The prizes for this category are as listed above.
CaLD Primary (F-Year 6) & CaLD Secondary (Years 7-12) Prizes
The CaLD Primary and CaLD Secondary prizes will be awarded the best poems written in English to students who have a primary language other than english. The prizes for this category are as listed above.
Wollongong Community Greening Local Prize (F–12)
The Wollongong Community Greening Local Prize (F-12) from Wollongong City Council will be awarded to students living or attending school on Dharawal and Wodi Wodi Country within the Wollongong LGA. Wollongong City Council is also offering a seedling to all students who enter the POEM FOREST prize and live or study on Dharawal and Wodi Wodi Country in the Wollongong LGA. Request your seedling via our online entry form when you submit your poem.
- School prize: free school excursion/incursion for one (1) class - up to thirty (30) students with Wollongong Botanic Garden and 30 free plants from the Garden's Greenplan Nursery for the best collaborative class poem.
- Individual prize: see prizes listed above, plus a $50 voucher to spend at Wollongong Botanic Garden's Greenplan Nursery for the best individual poem.
Please see Terms and Conditions for eligibility.
Judges
We’re honoured to welcome our 2026 commissioned poets as this year’s judging panel, each bringing unique voices and powerful connections to Country and community:
- Bastian Fox Phelan, a proud Bundjalung poet and performer whose work deeply explores Indigenous identity, culture, and connection to land through storytelling and spoken word.
- Pascalle Burton, a passionate poet, educator, and advocate whose writing celebrates nature, social justice, and the power of language to inspire change.
- Dakota Feirer, a poet and educator whose work invites readers to reflect on place, belonging, and the natural world, weaving personal and cultural narratives with environmental awareness.
- Amanda Anastasi, a dynamic poet and performer known for her vibrant, playful language and commitment to amplifying diverse voices and fostering creative expression.
Together, they bring insight, creativity, and cultural richness to the Poem Forest 2026 judging panel.
