Announcing the 2025 Cove Competition! This year's topic is:

Vox Pop: Have Your Say

The Cove is excited to announce that entries are now open for this year’s Cove Competition.

The 2025 theme is simple: “Vox Pop: Have Your Say.”

This year’s competition is about giving you the chance to raise an issue that matters. Rather than responding to a set question, we are asking every member of Army to raise an issue, challenge, or idea that you think is important, but not currently being widely considered across Army.

The intent of this year’s competition is to open the floor for fresh perspectives. We want to hear what you think needs attention. Perhaps it is something you’ve observed in training, on operations, in barracks, or in the way we think about ourselves as a profession. Maybe it is a cultural issue, a tactical innovation, a capability gap, or an idea to better prepare us for the challenges of future warfighting. Whatever it is, this is your opportunity to bring it into the conversation.

What We’re Looking For

  • Submissions must be directly relevant to the Australian Army or the Army Profession.

  • Your submission must raise an issue of topical relevance for Army today or in the near future.

  • Your submission must propose a solution, recommendation or way forward for your highlighted issue.

  • Most importantly, it must put forward an idea, concern, or opportunity that is not already being discussed widely elsewhere.

Categories

Cove Competition 2025 has two categories – Officer and Other Ranks. Submissions will be considered within their relevant category.

Submission Guidelines

  • All submissions must be directly relevant to Army or the Army profession; topical; and propose a solution.
  • Keep your essay relevant, practical, and use facts to support your argument where applicable.
  • Information must not be above the OFFICIAL level
  • Your essay should be between 1000 and 1500 words and comply with all other requirements set out by our Cove Submission Guidelines.
  • Your essay must be your own, original work.
  • Submissions are to be made via our dedicated submission portal.
  • Be submitted by Sunday, 28 September 2025.

So, Get Writing!

This competition is open to all ranks, roles, trades and corps. Submissions need to be in by Sunday, 28th September 2025 to be considered for judging.

Prizes

Thanks to our friends at Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation (formerly Brothers'N'Books), we have some fantastic prize packs on offer! There are three chances to win a great prize pack for both officers and soldiers. Prizes are:

  • 1st Place: A Kindle e-reader, courtesy of Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation, $200 gift voucher, Cove merchandise prize pack (including Cove Coin)
  • 2nd Place: $200 gift voucher, Cove merchandise prize pack (including Cove Coin)
  • 3rd Place: $150 gift voucher, Cove merchandise prize pack (including Cove Coin)
  • Honourable Mentions: Cove Coin and a Cove Jarrah wood Pen

Judging & Judging Criteria

All submissions will be considered within their relevant categories and reviewed by the judging panel.

Entries are assessed against the judging criteria:

  • Persuasiveness of Argument: How convincingly does the article present the issue? Are the arguments logical, well-structured, and supported by evidence or reasoning?

  • Quality of Writing: Is the article clearly written, engaging, and easy to follow? Does it communicate the message in a way that captures the reader’s attention and holds it?

  • Relevance: Does the submission directly address the Australian Army or the Army Profession? Does it link the issue raised to Army’s current or future challenges in a meaningful way?

  • Originality of Thought: Does the article raise an issue, perspective, or solution that is fresh and not already being widely discussed? Does it demonstrate creative or innovative thinking that could influence the professional conversation in new directions?
     

Good luck, we look forward to reading your submissions!