Students rewarded for writing about corporate social responsibility

More than 400 school and university students from around Australia have put their writing skills to the test by entering the Prime Minster’s Community Business Partnership’s second annual essay competition.

The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, today announced the winners at a lunch for finalists held in Melbourne.

“The students competed for $12,000 in prizes for themselves and their schools by writing about business, the community and social responsibility,” Senator Patterson said.

“In the university section, Suzanna Riddell from the University of Technology, Sydney won first prize. Second prize went to Louise Camenzuli, from the University of Sydney and University of Wollongong student, [name redacted], won third prize.

“I am pleased to see the acute awareness shown by those students preparing to enter the workforce, some of who I am sure will become business leaders, of the benefits of working for an employer who also has a community and social focus.

“In the school section, Wesley Tan, a Year 11 student from Redeemer Baptist School, North Parramatta, NSW took out the major prize. Year 7 student, Marc Bonaventura, from Burke Hall, Xavier College, Victoria wasn’t daunted by competing against much older students and was rewarded with second prize, while third prize went to Ajai Verma from Melbourne High School.

“The annual competition encourages students and their teachers to think about the impact of business on society and how a corporate social responsibility approach can benefit communities and businesses alike.

“The high quality essays received show how knowledgable today’s students are about contemporary issues such as corporate social responsibility and I value the opportunity the competition provides to hear their views,” Senator Patterson said.

The competition will run again in 2006, for information call the Partnership’s hotline on 1800 359 918 or visiting the website