The National Trust received a record number of entries from regional schools in this year’s annual Valuing Heritage Competition. More than half came from students living outside the metropolitan area in a competition that asks students to write stories about places that have heritage value to them and illustrate their work with photographs.

Winners were announced in early November and subjects ranged from significant family locations to listed heritage places like the Midland workshops and Cooya Pooya Station between Karratha and Roebourne.

Winning entries came from Tambrey Primary School and Roebourne District High School in the Pilbara region, and Maylands Primary School, LaSalle College and Riverlands School in Perth.

The competition is open to three age groups – school years 1 to 3, 4 to 7 and 8 to 10. An award is given in each category for a winning story, a winning photograph and highly commended entries. Prizes this year included an iPad, digital cameras and book vouchers. Woodside has been a major sponsor of the competition for two years.

National Trust Education Manager, Joy Lefroy, said the competition highlighted to students how their local environment and history hold special significance to their lives and the future of Western Australia.

“The competition encourages students to demonstrate how they value a special place and their local heritage through story writing and photographs. The place the students choose does not have to be heritage listed,” Ms Lefroy said.

“The competition, which began in 2004, engages young people with recognising the value of the stories of local people and places in our history. The students’ winning entries clearly demonstrate their excellent writing and photography skills, their knowledge of local history and their recognition of the value of the places in terms of their significant heritage,” Ms Lefroy said.

The National Trust was delighted that so many teachers and parents supported the competition and its aims. The competition closes on the last day of term 3 each year. Visit the website to view winning entries and criteria: www.valuingheritage.com.au