TAC calls for creative students to put their "writing caps" on

09 May 2011

MEDIA RELEASE: 9 May 2011

Victorian students are being asked to put their creative writing skills to good use for their chance to win driving lessons in a competition launched today.

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) 2011 school writing competition involves secondary schools from across the state submitting up to three pieces of student writing.

Peter Farrar, who has been a competition judge for three years, said that a range of TAC resources were available to assist students produce their pieces of road safety writing.

"The competition is a great way for young people to engage with road safety and consider how their own behaviour might put them at risk on the road," Mr Farrar said.

"The competition is open to Years 9, 10, VCE and VCAL students who are starting to get out on the road more.  Many of them will be learner drivers who are just starting to drive or have friends that are new drivers."

Mr Farrar encouraged teachers to get their students involved.

"Students always have the capacity to surprise teachers with their insights and teachers learn a lot about teenage lifestyle and the pressures they face."

Previous writing competition winner Rosie Cooper from Star of the Sea College says students should talk with their teachers and peers when preparing their entry.

"Watch the MAFMAD films at www.mafmad.com.au and talk about them with your friends. Especially ask guys what they think of films such as Social Death that are targeted at them," Rosie said.

The writing pieces can be based on the TAC's Make a Film. Make a Difference (MAFMAD) short films, the documentary Muck-Up Day or an article about teenage drivers, found at www.tacsafety.com.au under Schools, Writing Competition. Students may also use the new novel ‘6' by Karen Tayleur when writing their pieces.

Prizes will be awarded to students from Melbourne metropolitan schools and Victorian regional/rural schools in the following categories:

• Best piece of student writing from a Year 9 or Year 10 student
• Best piece of student writing from a VCE or VCAL student

The prizes in each category are a $200 voucher for driving lessons and a $50 book voucher. The competition closes on Friday 16 September.

This competition enriches the core traffic safety education resource for secondary schools, Traffic Safety Essentials, which is available free of charge to all schools.