We are so happy to announce that Ruby Paltridge in Year 11 has won the Heywire competition for the South West region. Ruby wrote her entry as part of an English assessment and worked hard to create her winning piece.

Ruby is one of the 35 winners of the ABC’s 2024 Heywire competition announced today. Hundreds of Australians aged from 16 to 22 from regional, rural and remote areas entered the competition by speaking openly and authentically about life beyond the nation’s major cities, through written stories, photos, videos and audio recordings. Willow Hardy, Year 11 was also shortlisted for her entry.

Ruby has had her story featured on ABC regional radio and will now head to Canberra in February with the other winners.  Heywire Competition winners score and all-expenses-paid trip to the Heywire Summit, held in Canberra each February. The 30+ participants work together in groups to develop ideas to make positive change in their communities.

If you see Ruby during the holidays pass on your congratulations, we are so proud her efforts have been acknowledged by such an inspirational competition. I would also like to acknowledge the support Ruby is given by her teachers at Margaret River SHS to chase her dreams in the construction industry. Check out her story in the link above. ABC news is running the story below today.

-Louise Bursey