Young voices celebrated through Bruny Youth Stories Prize

Young Tasmanians shared their connection to nature and place through the Bruny Youth Stories Prize, a creative storytelling initiative delivered by Kuno as part of the Bruny Kids and Nature project, supported by the Tasmanian Community Fund.

The competition invited children from Bruny Island and across Tasmania to submit written stories exploring their relationship with the natural world.

The response was overwhelming, with entries received across all age categories showcasing creativity, reflection and a strong sense of place.

Kuno Chief Executive Officer Dr Phill Pullinger said the quality and depth of submissions exceeded expectations.

“We were absolutely overwhelmed with the beautiful entries from kids on Bruny and across Tasmania,” he said.

“The prize marked a key milestone in the project, which aimed to strengthen young people’s connection to nature while building literacy, creativity and confidence through storytelling.

“Research shows that connection with nature plays a critical role in childhood wellbeing, resilience and engagement with learning, yet many young people are becoming increasingly disconnected.

“Entries were reviewed by a judging panel including Dr Tonia Cochran, librarian Jan Hunt and nature writer Helen Cushing, with winners and shortlisted entrants announced at the Bruny Bird Festival.”

Dr Pullinger said the winning stories were also transformed into short films and showcased to the community as part of the event.

“The festival acted as a public showcase for the project, bringing together families, educators and the community to experience the stories and celebrate young voices connected to nature and place,” he said.

“By creating opportunities for young people to share their perspectives, this project helps strengthen connection to place, build confidence and foster a deeper appreciation for Tasmania’s natural environment.”

The Tasmanian Community Fund is proud to support initiatives like Bruny Kids and Nature that empower young people, strengthen learning outcomes and celebrate the unique stories of Tasmanian communities.

A full list of winners and shortlisted entries is available on the Kuno website: https://kuno.earth/articles/winners-of-the-bruny-youth-stories-prize