Growlife Medical Essay Competition 2021

Stories of Mothers

Family Diversity | Mothers, Fathers and Babies

About the Annual Growlife Medical Essay Competition

Every human journey starts with a mother. But right from conception, that journey diverges to create a myriad of unique experiences. Growlife Medical is looking for stories to celebrate mothers. In celebration of Mothers Day we want to hear stories about what mothers mean to us, both from mothers, and about mothers. Stories of love, loss, heartache, strength, grief and hope. Stories of the full range of human emotion, including those of bereavement, adoption or the inability to conceive. Stories of honesty and depth.

Experiences of mothering so strongly shape our future generations, and we want to hear your story of how history, chance, and life circumstance have shaped your experience of being a mother, or of being mothered, and what it means for you.

So, in 2021, Growlife Medical's third annual Essay Competition theme is "Stories of Mothers". We will publish a number of stories from anyone who lives in our community. We invite people of all ages to tell their story of mothers.

This years essay competition winner announcement will coincide with World Breastfeeding Week. This resonates with us because:

“World Breastfeeding Week 2021 will focus on how breastfeeding contributes to the survival, health and wellbeing of all, and the imperative to protect breastfeeding worldwide [and] the links between breastfeeding and survival, health and wellbeing of women, children and nations."

The recognition of the importance of breastfeeding is not solely about the mode of feeding an infant. It is a recognition of the important role that mothers play in early life. Early bonding and a supportive environment from the earliest moments of life set our children up for lifelong health. The benefits of supporting women in early parenting and wherever possible to breastfeed extend not only to purely nutritional aspects. Protecting this time, and making room for children in our increasingly busy lives is imperative to the health of future generations.

We want to hear your diverse experiences, and make this a celebration of positivity, love, and enduring despite challenge.

Entries close Monday 2 August 2021 and we will be shortlisting and publishing your stories throughout World Breastfeeding Week, with the winning entries announced at the end of the week on Sunday 8 August 2021. In a nod to helping our hospitality industry, and spending time with family, the prizes are vouchers to a restaurant of your choice in Brisbane.

1st Prize is $150, 2nd is $100 and 3rd is $50.

The best story by a school aged student prize is a $100 voucher to Avid Reader or Where the Wild Things Are Bookshop in West End.