This year the Mercy Foundation received over 300 entries for the annual Youth Award photography competition. The competition was open to students from all over Australia who were asked to take a photo that encapsulates what home means to them, and to include a house key in their photo. A written statement of 100 words or less was required to explain how the entrants’ photo explores the idea of home.
A panel of judges consisting of a professional photographer,Kylie Dunlop, the Mercy Foundation CEO, a Mercy Foundation Board member, and a Mercy Foundation staff member followed a process of review, that took into account the creativity, originality, effort, content and quality of both the photo and written content.
The results were 12 Highly Commended prizes, two equal third prizes, a second prize and a first prize winner. In addition to the individual prize winners receiving vouchers for their winning photographs, the winning students’ schools also received prize money. It was a wonderful opportunity to gain an understanding of what the youth of Australia observe as the social issue that is Homelessness.
