The winners of this year’s Kibble and Dobbie Literacy Awards have been announced.
The winner of the Nita B Kibble Literacy Award which recognises the work of an established Australian female writer is Five bells by Gail Jones.
On a radiant day in Sydney, four adults converge on Circular Quay, site of the iconic Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Crowds of tourists mix with the locals, enjoying the glorious surroundings and the play of light on water. But each of the four carries a complicated history from elsewhere; each is haunted by past intimacies. (Summary from NoveList Plus)
The winner of the Dobbie Encouragement Award which recognises the work of a first published Australian female writer is Past the shallows by Favel Parrett.
Abstract: Harry and Miles live with their father, an abalone fisherman, on the south-east coast of Tasmania. With their mum dead, they are left to look after themselves. When Miles isn’t helping out on the boat they explore the coast and Miles and his older brother, Joe, loves to surf. Harry is afraid of the water.