The Hon. R S French AC
Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia
Chair of the 2009 Competition Judging Panel

The essays were all very interesting and on disparate topics related to the Constitution and also, in one case, to Chinese investment in Australia... in interviewing the students who participated in the competition, we asked each of them questions about their essays, sometimes coming from directions which they might not have expected, which was a great challenge for them, and they all rose to it very well...

The competition obviously advances the objectives of CEFA by trying to engage students right across the country in thinking about their Constitution, Australia’s place in the world and its relationship with others in a global community, both in a constitutional sense and in a larger sense of both international law and in the case of the China essay, our trade relations and the sorts of challenges and issues that confronts us with in dealing with very different cultures and governmental arrangements... 

On behalf of the judges, I would like to congratulate all of the students who participated... I wish all the participants well, and would like to take the opportunity to congratulate CEFA on organising this competition, which is now very well established and has a high profile and I hope that it may long continue.

Mr Peter Congdon
Winner of the 2009 Competition 

The Governor-General's Undergraduate Essay Competition gave me the 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to discuss ideas fundamental to Australia's political life with an eminent panel chaired by The Hon Robert French AC, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. This was an incredible experience that I would recommend to anyone. The wide choice and pertinence of the questions offered by CEFA means there is bound to be something too for students with an interest in our nation. The questions encourage a multidisciplinary approach and accommodate a diverse range of papers.

Personally, I thoroughly appreciated the opportunity to explain and justify the arguments in my paper to such an eminent panel. However, the most rewarding aspect of this experience was to respond to the questions posed by the panellists. Given the breadth and depth of the panel's knowledge, the questions often came from unexpected angles. This was a great challenge but fostered in me a deeper understanding of the topic and a greater appreciation of its relationship with broader issues. For me, this was an opportunity that I could not let pass. 

Ms Virginia Gogan
Second Place in the 2009 Competition

I'm so glad I took up the challenge of entering the 2009 Governor-General's Undergraduate Essay Competition. I appreciated the opportunity to engage with the nationally significant issue of whether Chinese investment could be damaging to Australia's interests. Participating in this competition stimulated me to pursue further research in this area. Discussing Australia's political and economic future with such a distinguished panel was a great privilege.   

The Hon. Sir William Deane AC KBE QC
Chairman of CARE Australia and Former Governor-General of Australia

The Governor-General’s Prize Programme is an outstanding initiative. It will make a significant contribution to Australia’s awareness and understanding of our Constitution, our system of government and their history and working. By doing that, the Programme will serve the interests of the Australian people generally.

Mr Joshua Quinn-Watson
Winner of the 2008 Competition

CEFA's 2008 Governor-General's Essay Competition has been a significant moment in my academic life. Of particular pleasure was the opportunity to engage with a judging panel on which sat some of Australia's finest minds. As far as I am aware, no other student competition has panels of this calibre, and also allows students direct access to that panel. Thinking critically about the this country's national life is something from which students of every discipline stand to benefit, and I recommend that all interested students take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to discuss the national life with a group of people who do as much as anyone to shape it. 

Louise Hutton
University of Tasmania

I believe this is an exciting and challenging opportunity for undergraduates like me. There is so much to learn about Australia’s Constitution – taking part in the Governor-General’s Prize is a great way to expand your knowledge and express your opinions. 

The Hon. Murray Gleeson AC QC
Former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia

The idea of promoting awareness and interest in our Constitution, especially among undergraduate students, is excellent. The Governor-General’s Prize and the conscious promotion in the community - and in particular to universities - of an interest in and understanding of, the Constitution is a very worthy project. I am delighted to participate in it. 

Marina Rizzo
NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office

Australians want to contribute to our prized democratic country. This requires knowledge about our Constitution. As the daughter of an Italian immigrant family, an active member of my local ALP branch, and a community lawyer, I meet young Australians from a diverse rang of backgrounds. Not all of them know a lot about the Constitution. This initiative will encourage all students to learn more about the Constitution.  

Professor Gabriel Moens
Dean of Murdoch University Law School

Murdoch Law School offers its students an intellectually stimulating educational experience in order to prepare them for the domestic and international practice of law. The Governor-General’s Undergraduate Essay Competition is a worthy challenge for top students wishing to address topical issues of constitutional law or public policy. I was delighted that the first Western Australians to achieve success at the highest level of the competition were Pauline German and Sarah Lealiifano from Murdoch University in 2005.