The Simpson Prize is a national competition for Year 9 and 10 students that focuses on the service of Australians in World War I. Named after John Simpson Kirkpatrick, known by the story of ‘Simpson and his donkey’, the Prize is an opportunity for students to investigate a significant aspect of Australia’s heritage, involvement, service, and sacrifice in World War I.
How to enter
The question for the 2024 Simpson Prize is: ‘Commemoration of the Anzac tradition has widespread support in Australia despite different historical interpretations and debates about the nature and significance of the Anzac legend. To what extent does your own research support this view?’
Students are encouraged to discuss and debate their response to the question from a variety of perspectives, individual and national. Previous winners have visited Singapore and Gallipoli where they learnt first-hand about Australia’s wartime history.
It is through challenges such as The Simpson Prize that students learn about the sacrifices of Australians who gave so much in our name.
Entries close on Friday 3 November 2023. More information on how to enter is available on The Simpson Prize website.
2023 Simpson Prize winners
Find out more about the winners and runners-up in Minister Clare’s media release and see the winning entries on The Simpson Prize website.
History
The Simpson Prize is named after John Simpson Kirkpatrick. The prize reflects the character and exploits of an Australian who became famous for his work as a stretcher-bearer at Gallipoli. Simpson and his donkey worked day and night, transporting wounded men from the fighting to the relative safety of the beach on Anzac Cove. The Australian Government has proudly supported The Simpson Prize since 1998.