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ABC Heywire

Storytelling Competition

Tell your story, your way about life in regional, rural or remote Australia.

A young woman with black skin and brown hair smiles at the camera, she is outside in front of trees and grass

Trailblazers

Working on a project aimed at strengthening regional Australia? We want to tell the world!

Two young women smile while in front of camera with trees in background. Man stands next to them holding phone.

Grants

Community organisations can apply for up to $10,000 in FRRR funding to support local solutions to youth‑identified issues.

The backs of seven young people wearing black t-shirts saying Heywire Regional Youth Summit

Winners

Heywire winners bring 'raw, honest storytelling' of life in the regions

Thirty-five young people have been named 2026 ABC Heywire winners for the bravery and authenticity of their life stories.

A young woman with olive skin and short, black curly hair. Subtle smile at camera. Trees in background

I turned my struggles into strength and now I'm helping others

Jeremy, from Katherine, NT, Dagoman Country.

A First Nations young man in a red tshirt, short brown hair and goatie, smiling at camera. Standing next to a tree

Duration: 3 minutes 19 seconds

Conservation work helped me appreciate my new home

Vishwa, from Renmark, SA, Erawirung Country.

A young woman with long, dark, curly hair smiles at the camera, standing in front of a tall bush of yellow flowers

Duration: 2 minutes 49 seconds

My band, Dreamers, makes music about how we feel and where we're from

Fabian from One Arm Point, WA, Bardi Jawi Country.

A young man with black skin and black hair smiles, the ocean is behind him

Duration: 2 minutes 19 seconds

The drought shaped the land we farmed on — and it shaped me

Erin from Dubbo, NSW, Wiradjuri Country

A young woman with short straight burgundy hair, black tshirt and glasses. Red flowers and shrub behind

Duration: 3 minutes 4 seconds

Connect with ABC Heywire

Discover more on Facebook and Instagram. Email us on abcheywire@abc.net.au.

Trailblazers

These young people love their regional communities. That's why they're pushing for change

Jayden is helping youth go from feeling "lost, angry and unheard" to "proud strong and seen". He's one of our 2026 Trailblazers, announced today.

Scenic background with text saying announcing the 2026 ABC Trailblazers. 12 polaroid photos with images of young leaders.

Skilled workers are considering leaving the trades — and toilets are to blame

Tradies are walking out. Not over ability or aptitude but toilets — in a symbol of the sector's persistent barriers.

Two women lean on a red pole.

They lived in spare rooms and motels, their teen years 'stripped away'

Spare bedrooms, couches, and cars hide the stories of Australia's youth homeless crisis. But they are stories that also reveal a grit and ambition to defy the statistics.

A girl in a singlet top looks to the side.

Chronic conditions dismissed as anxiety, low iron

Young women have detailed their experiences being dismissed and misdiagnosed as chronic pain sufferers. Now, they're teaching others how to advocate for their health.

A girl looks to the side in a dimly lit room.

How a decades-old, 'daunting' act is deterring discrimination reporting

Australia's Disability Discrimination Act is decades old, with reform "well overdue". Removing the burden of proof could be the first step.

A young girl poses with school books.