The Victorian Premier’s Literary Award is a prestigious literature award that celebrates Australian writing. Today, we have a look at a few of the winner’s from this year.
These books were shortlisted and has since won it’s respective category. Some of the categories include People’s Choice Award, Fiction Award, Non-Fiction Award, Indigenous Writing Award, and the Poetry Award. All of these novels are available to borrow from the PMI Victorian History Library.
I’d Rather Not by Robert Skinner
I’d Rather Not by Robert Skinner (John Clarke Prize for Humour Writing, People’s Choice Award)
This is a humorous memoir from Robert Skinner. This goes through his various experiences from first moving to the city. From the outset, this might seem a slightly depressing tale, but Robert’s ability to always look on the comical side of things keeps this book entertaining yet thoughtful. Robert Skinner’s writing as appeared in The Monthly, The Best Australian Essays and the Best Australian Comedy Writing.
Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane
Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane (Fiction Award)
Everyone loves a good true crime story. However, Fiona McFarlane’s Highway 13 plays with the genre of a true crime story through using her work as a reflection on our own society. Following the story of a 1998 murder, Fiona investigates this crime but through a series of short stories. She also explores the impact that this murder had and how the murderer’s actions affected others. While this work is fictional, it brings to light the violent crimes of the 1980s in Australia and how this shaped our society today.
Anything can happen by Susan Hampton (Non-Fiction Award)
Susan Hampton writes a memoir of her filled and illustrated life. In the words of the judges, it ‘is a mosaic of 20th-century Australia in all its incongruous glory.’ It covers everything from the social history of the inner west of Sydney to the Slovenian immigrant community. Susan is well renown for her prose and poetic creativity. Her various works has been shortlisted for the NSW and Victorian Premiers’ Awards for poetry and won the 1990 Steel Rudd Award and the 2006 Judith Wright Award.
Black witness: The power of Indigenous media by Amy McQuire (Indigenous Writing)
Black witness: The power of Indigenous media by Amy McQuire
Black Witness is a series of essays showcasing how journalism plays an important role in how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can be represented. More specifically, these essays prove why the media need to believe Indigenous people’s voices. This ultimately illuminates colonial violence and the treatment of Indigenous people in all areas of life. Amy McQuire, a Darumbal and South Sea Islander woman is a Aboriginal affairs journalist who uses this book to force readers to face the history that we cannot escape.
Gawimarra: Gathering by Jeanine Leane (Poetry)
Gawimarra: Gathering by Jeanine Leane
This collection explores Country, culture and kinship. They delve into the personal experience of the author and the society in which we live. Using rich imagery and prose, Jeanine Leane offers new ways of thinking.
If you want to learn more about the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards or check out some of the other winners, you can do so here!