$5000 reward for Mosman student
Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, today announced the winners of the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership Corporate Social Responsibility Essay Competition for secondary school students.
Senator Patterson said the quality of short listed essay entries was very high, and she was impressed with the knowledge of corporate social responsibility demonstrated in the finalists’ essays.
“Close to 300 entries were received for the Secondary School stage, which shows us that a significant number of our young people are interested in social responsibility issues and have an opinion on how business is contributing to our communities,” Senator Patterson said.
The first prize of $2,000 cash was awarded to Stephanie Hing, of Mosman, New South Wales, for her well researched consideration on the motivation for business to adopt corporate social responsibility nationally and internationally. In addition, the Year 12 student’s school, Queenwood School for Girls, will be awarded $3,000 to be used to purchase a learning resource, such as a computer.
Melbourne High School’s Year 11 student, Daniel McNamara, was awarded second prize of $600 for his essay on the compatibility between a business making a profit and adopting a corporate social responsibility approach.
Third prize of $400 was awarded to a Year 8 student from Clonard College, Drumcondra, Victoria, Charley McGlinchey, for her insight into the benefits for a business and the community when a socially responsible approach is adopted by business.
Senator Patterson also presented nine Awards of Merit to other students whose essays were short-listed in the competition.
Following the presentation event, Senator Patterson launched stage two of the competition, open to students enrolled at an Australian university.
“This university students’ stage of the competition offers a prize pool of $6,000, with the winning student receiving $2,000 in cash and their university winning $3,000,” Senator Patterson said.
“Second prize in the competition is $600 and third prize $400. The winning entries will be published on the Partnership’s website and its newsletter ‘Community Business’.
“One of the Partnership’s key roles is promoting individual and corporate social responsibility. The essay competition encourages young Australians to begin thinking about their impact in society and how business leaders can be leaders in their communities as well.
“The second stage of this exciting competition invites our young thinkers to examine the inter-relationships between businesses and the communities in which they operate. I encourage all university students to get involved and tell us their thoughts,” Senator Patterson said.
Entries in stage two close on 29 October 2004 and winners will be announced in early 2005. More information is available by calling the Partnership’s hotline on 1800 359 918 or visiting the website.