About the Competition

Authors were invited to pen an essay of 3000 words (+/- 10%), a persuasive article or opinion piece of 1500-2000 words (+/- 10%), a short story of any length, a poem of any length, or a graphic novel of any length. All authors were invited to address a generic theme of leadership, culture, or ethics in Defence. They were also invited to address issues associated with Operation Bushfire Assist or COVID19 pandemic support, the impact on Defence of COVID19 restrictions on international and domestic exercises, or technological advances affecting cyber security, the use of drones and automated weapons systems from a cultural, leadership and ethics perspective.

2020 Winners

The Australian Defence College and Centre for Defence Leadership and Ethics congratulate the 2020 Jamie Cullens Defence Leadership and Ethics Essay Competition Winners. Winners received books of their choice up to the value of $250 for first prize, $150 for second prize and $100 for third prize.

Category 1: Essays

1st WO2 Graham Robertson -​​​​ The ethics 'rubic's cube'​​​​​

Category 2: Persuasive Articles and Opinion Pieces

1st Mr William Hill - Maintaining Control of the Cyber Warfare Revolution

2nd FLGOFF Theresa Sobb - 'Hackerman': How Diverging Cyberspace Portrayals Influence the ADF's Perception of Cybersecurity and the Cultural Ramifications of These Judgements

3rd SQNLDR Jenna Higgins - Responding to the Next 'Unprecedented' Event; The Case for Compassion and Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Category 3: Short Stories

1st LCDR Richard Morris  - The Call of the Sinbagi

2nd LEUT Sarah Kaese - Lecture 10

3rd Mr Mark Siara - Just War

Category 5: Graphic Novels

No prizes were awarded in this category in 2020.

Category 4: Poems

Equal 1st Ms Aspara Maliyasens  - The Drones

Equal 1st LTCOL Julian Hohnen - Names on a Wall