Benjamin Millar
Yarraville author Maxine Beneba Clarke has taken out the people’s choice award in this year’s prestigious Melbourne Prize for Literature.
Christos Tsiolkas won the $60,000 top prize, while the $20,000 Professional Development Award went to Evelyn Araluen.
The winner of the $15,000 Writer’s Prize 2021 was Eloise Grills.
Maxine Beneba Clarke was awarded the $3000 Civic Choice Award 2021 after being shortlisted for the main prize.
Launched in 2004 and awarded every three years, the Melbourne Prize was established to recognise and reward talent, excellence and inspire creative development.
This year’s judges included leading literary identities Declan Fry, Alice Pung and Sydney Writers Festival artistic director Michael Williams.
“The writers shortlisted for the Melbourne Prize for Literature 2021 have made an invaluable contribution to Australian literature and to our cultural life,” the judges said.
“The shortlist for the Writer’s Prize 2021 spoke to the times in which we live, adopting a variety of methods and perspectives; each piece stood out for its considered approach to the essay form and the energy of the writing.
“The success of the Melbourne Prize for Literature 2021 & Awards reflects a vibrant literary sector and reinforces Melbourne’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature.”
Melbourne Prize Trust executive director Simon Warrender said it has been an outstanding year for the Prize, which supports the abundant literary talent in Victoria.
“Melbourne is fortunate to be designated as a UNESCO City of Literature, which enhances our already thriving literary sector,” he said.
Creative Industries minister Danny Pearson said this year’s nominees represent our premier storytellers.
“If you haven’t discovered their work, or caught up on their latest endeavours, then look no further than this group to create your summer reading list,” he said.
“I congratulate this year’s finalists and commend them for their resilience in continuing to inspire, challenge and entertain us through difficult times.”
