Eight thousand young Australians have told their stories through 15 years of Heywire.

The ABC's competition offers 16-22 year olds a chance to make a difference, on an issue that burns for them.

Sid Sidebottom, Tasmanian Labor MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, remembers the first year in 1998.

"It's very important that government supports this, because rural and regional Australia has a fantastic story to tell.

"Our young people have things they want to say, experiences they want to share, and dreams they want to aspire to."

Past winners say "Go for it"

Jordyn Royle, from Merimbula in NSW, won last year with her story about living in the town's police station.

In February, she joined 30 other winners in Canberra, staying at the Australian Institute of Sport for a week, learning new skills and visiting Parliament.

"I wanted to write initially about police issues in rural areas, but I ended up going to Heywire to talk about mental health.

"So really a story doesn't have to reflect the issue you bring to Heywire, but if you just have anything interesting to write - go for it."

Whether you are from Dubbo, Dalby or Dowerin, we want to know what life is like in your neck of the woods.

Submit your story in text, audio, photographs or video format. Watch this video to see how easy it is to enter.

Over the past 15 years, Heywire has had stories range from raw and honest anecdotes to quirky and inspired yarns. Check out previous winning entries.

Loading...