Australia's leading non-profit youth poetry prize

Open to all Australians 19 and under.

The Taronga Foundation Poetry Prize (TFPP) offers Australia's youth the opportunity to share in over $31,000 in prizes AND have their poetry published by Random House Australia.

The writing of poetry encourages a love of literacy and gives youth a heightened sense of what language is and how it works. This awareness can help improve their prose reading and language skills.

In addition to promoting a love of poetry, the TFPP aims to develop a love of the environment. An information sheet about this year's environmental focus, bears, is available at www.btgstudios.com/tfppanimal.html.

Schools, libraries and youth groups can benefit by entering the 'class/group' division, which offers $3,000 in book vouchers. Entries in this division must be a single poem written by three or more poets. Class poems are an excellent way to teach poetry to a class or group. A teaching worksheet is available from www.btgstudios.com/worksheet.html.

Students benefit too. Every individual or class who enters the TFPP receives one certificate, one sticker and free entry for two to Taronga Zoo or their participating state/territory zoo or eco-venue on 28 February 2009. In addition, national and state/territory winners have the chance to win cash, trophies, leading poetry and wildlife books and free passes to Australia's premier zoos/eco-venues, totalling $31,000.

The 2008 TFPP sees the addition of an exciting new competition. Teachers now have the opportunity to win a guest spot on the 2008 TFPP Judging Panel. Teachers are invited to enter by clicking here for the judging entry form and more information.

Poems may be on any subject, but a $3,000 Wildlife Prize is awarded for the most outstanding poem dealing with wildlife conservation or the environment.

Winning and commended poets are published in Poems by Young Australians Vol 6, to be launched at the TFPP award ceremony on Saturday 28 February 2009 at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

This year's competition, open to all Australians 19 and under, closes on 19 September 2008. Further details are available on the entry forms below:

• download the 2008 Taronga Foundation Poetry Prize entry form.
• download the 2008 Taronga Foundation Poetry Prize junior poster.
• download the 2008 Taronga Foundation Poetry Prize senior poster.

Posters and entry forms are available from Perth Zoo Education and can be mailed out if needed. Please call (08) 9474 0365, email education@perthzoo.wa.gov.au or drop in to the Education office at Perth Zoo.