Each year The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) invites senior secondary students residing in Aotearoa New Zealand or Australia to apply for the Liam and Frankie Davison Award for outstanding achievement in literary writing on Women’s Health.
(RANZCOG aims to provide an inclusive and welcoming space to all who access our services. Acknowledging the need for inclusive language for gender diversity, we are actively looking at how the College can best achieve this. In the interim, our documents will continue existing use of the term “woman” with the intention this includes all people requiring gynaecological and obstetric care.)
Up to two awards are offered each year and the winning entrants will receive $1000 in NZD or AUD as applicable, based on country of residence. Launched in 2014, the RANZCOG Secondary Schools Literary Competition was renamed in 2015 in honour of RANZCOG staff member and award-winning author, Liam Davison and his wife Frankie, a secondary school teacher, in recognition of their shared passion for nurturing and encouraging young writers.
What is RANZCOG?
- RANZCOG is the leading body responsible for the training and education of doctors in obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
- RANZCOG is committed to the establishment and maintenance of the highest possible standards of practice in women’s health and provides programs in training, accreditation and continuing professional development that are responsive to the evolving health care needs of women.
- RANZCOG supports research and advocacy for women’s health by forging productive relationships with individuals, the community, and professional organisations, both locally and internationally.
Possible Topics
- Cultural/Social: family structures, social norms, crime and punishment, Indigenous women’s health, career choice and parenting.
- Political: public vs private health care, women’s health policies and legislation.
- Ethical/Legal: termination of pregnancy, contraception – treatment and availability, legal status of foetus, informed consent for minors, health care for women with special needs, surrogacy.
- Technological: access and use of technology in women’s health, advances in technology, robotic surgery.
- Other: eating disorders and/or body image, health and nutrition, the impact of the internet and online selfdiagnosis.
- Obstetrics: ultrasound in antenatal care, Caesarean delivery, complications in childbirth, postnatal depression.
- Gynaecology: contraception, sexually transmitted infections, fertility, incontinence.
- Gender related issues or topics.
Writing Tips
You can use any style of writing that suits your topic. This might be personal (e.g. diary, letters, interview), informative (e.g. essay, article), analytical (e.g. for & against), imaginative (e.g. diary, letters, narrative, interview), instructional (e.g. ‘how-to’…), argumentative (e.g. opinion piece). Great ideas can be let down by poor execution. Develop ideas thoroughly and organise your writing – ensure it has a clear structure and style.
- Ensure the written piece is between 500-1000 words.
- Be original in your topic.
- Opinion pieces need to present a well-balanced and critical discussion of the issue that examines both sides of an argument.
- Check your spelling and grammar thoroughly. Proofread your submission yourself, then ask a friend, teacher or relative if they can read it through.
- Attribute your sources accurately; do not use material from websites, texts or other sources without stating where it came from. Articles will be checked using an online plagiarism checker.
Need to Know More? The Terms and Conditions of Entry, Application Form and previous years’ winning entries can be accessed via the RANZCOG website at: Liam and Frankie Davison Award.
