Quality life writing showcased in the Kibble Awards 2015 shortlists
Announcement posted by Perpetual 03 Jun 2015
Media Release
Quality life writing showcased in the Kibble Awards 2015 shortlists
Six female authors in the running to win $35,000 in prizes
3 June 2015
As trustee of the Nita B Kibble Literary Awards for Women Writers (the Kibble Awards), Perpetual today revealed the shortlists for the 2015 Kibble and Dobbie Awards, with three female authors nominated for each.
Over the past 22 years the Kibble Awards have advanced women’s literature in Australia by recognising notable writers, including previous winners Geraldine Brooks, Helen Garner and Gail Jones.
The Kibble Awards were established by Nita Dobbie in honour of her pioneering aunt, Nita Kibble - the first female librarian of the State Library of New South Wales. They comprise the Kibble Literary Award for an established author, as well as the Dobbie Literary Award for a first time published author.
The Awards are open to Australian female writers who have published a book of fiction or non-fiction classifiable as ‘life writing’. This includes novels, autobiographies, biographies, literature and any writing with a strong personal element.
In competition for total prize money of $35,000, the 2015 shortlisted authors are:
The judging panel of the Kibble Awards includes Humanities Australia Editor, Emeritus Professor Elizabeth Webby AM, State Library of New South Wales Coordinator- Education and Scholarship, Dr Rachel Franks, and internationally renowned novelist, Dr Rosie Scott.
On behalf of the judges, Ms Webby said that this year’s exceptional shortlists demonstrate the continuing high quality of life writing by Australian women.
“The books shortlisted for the Kibble Award present new insights into traumatic events and their lasting impact on Australian lives: the polio epidemic of the 1950s, Cyclone Tracy’s destruction of Darwin in 1974, Robert Farquharson’s murder of his sons on Father’s Day 2005,” she said.
“Those shortlisted for the Dobbie Award also deal movingly with such confronting subjects as Aboriginal dispossession, neglected children and Japanese war crimes. But their humanity, humour and literary excellence ensure that each is an inspiring read.”
Perpetual’s National Manager of Philanthropy, Caitriona Fay, said: “As trustee of the Kibble Awards we are proud to promote both established and emerging female writers.”
“Congratulations to the six outstanding shortlisted authors, who are each advancing literature for the benefit of our community,” she said.
The 2015 Kibble Awards winners will be revealed at an event in Sydney on 15 July 2015.
For more information about the Award, please visit www.perpetual.com.au/kibble.
<ENDS>
Media enquiries:
Jarrah Aguera
Honner Media
02 8248 3745
jarrah@honnermedia.com.au
Note to editors
About Nita May Dobbie
Nita Dobbie established the Kibble Literary Awards for Women Writers in recognition of her aunt, Nita Kibble, who raised her from birth after her mother died.
In the late 1800s, Miss Kibble had successfully answered an advertisement for a junior assistant at the Public Library of New South Wales, when her signature was taken for a man’s. She later became the first woman to be appointed a librarian with the State Library of New South Wales and held the position of Principal Research Officer from 1919 until her retirement. Throughout her career she worked hard to raise the status of the library profession and was a founding member of the Australian Institute of Librarians.
Miss Dobbie followed her aunt into the library profession and recognised the need to foster women’s writing in the community and so established the Awards, named after her inspirational aunt, through her will.
Since the inception of the Kibble Literary Awards in 1994, many of Australia's leading women writers have received prizes, each benefiting from Nita Dobbie's foresight and vision. The trust behind the Awards was established with just under $400,000 and is managed by Perpetual. Today, it's worth more than $740,000 and has awarded over $530,000 to writers.
About Perpetual Philanthropic Services
Perpetual is one of Australia’s largest managers and distributors of philanthropic funds with $2.2 billion in funds under advice (as at 31 December 2014). Perpetual is trustee for more than 990 charitable trusts and endowments and provides individuals and families with advice on establishing charitable foundations and structured giving programs. Perpetual also assists charities and not-for-profit organisations with investment advice and management.
Perpetual’s Philanthropic Services and advice are provided by Perpetual Trustee Company Limited (PTCo), ABN 42 000 001 007, AFSL 236643. This publication has been prepared by PTCo and contains information contributed by third parties. It contains general information only and is not intended to provide advice or take into account personal objectives, financial situation or needs. The information is believed to be accurate at the time of compilation and is provided by PTCo in good faith. To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted for any loss or damage as a result of any reliance on this information. PTCo does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information included in this document which was contributed by a third party.Media Release
Quality life writing showcased in the Kibble Awards 2015 shortlists
Six female authors in the running to win $35,000 in prizes
3 June 2015
As trustee of the Nita B Kibble Literary Awards for Women Writers (the Kibble Awards), Perpetual today revealed the shortlists for the 2015 Kibble and Dobbie Awards, with three female authors nominated for each.
Over the past 22 years the Kibble Awards have advanced women’s literature in Australia by recognising notable writers, including previous winners Geraldine Brooks, Helen Garner and Gail Jones.
The Kibble Awards were established by Nita Dobbie in honour of her pioneering aunt, Nita Kibble - the first female librarian of the State Library of New South Wales. They comprise the Kibble Literary Award for an established author, as well as the Dobbie Literary Award for a first time published author.
The Awards are open to Australian female writers who have published a book of fiction or non-fiction classifiable as ‘life writing’. This includes novels, autobiographies, biographies, literature and any writing with a strong personal element.
In competition for total prize money of $35,000, the 2015 shortlisted authors are:
Kibble Literary Award for an established author ($30,000 prize)
| Author | Novel | Publisher |
| Sophie Cunningham | Warning: The Story of Cyclone Tracy | Text Publishing |
| Helen Garner | This House of Grief | Text Publishing |
| Joan London | The Golden Age | Vintage Australia |
Dobbie Literary Award for a first time published author ($5,000 prize)
| Author | Novel | Publisher |
| Emily Bitto | The Strays | Affirm Press |
| Ellen van Neerven | Heat and Light | University of Queensland Press |
| Christine Piper | After Darkness | Allen & Unwin |
The judging panel of the Kibble Awards includes Humanities Australia Editor, Emeritus Professor Elizabeth Webby AM, State Library of New South Wales Coordinator- Education and Scholarship, Dr Rachel Franks, and internationally renowned novelist, Dr Rosie Scott.
On behalf of the judges, Ms Webby said that this year’s exceptional shortlists demonstrate the continuing high quality of life writing by Australian women.
“The books shortlisted for the Kibble Award present new insights into traumatic events and their lasting impact on Australian lives: the polio epidemic of the 1950s, Cyclone Tracy’s destruction of Darwin in 1974, Robert Farquharson’s murder of his sons on Father’s Day 2005,” she said.
“Those shortlisted for the Dobbie Award also deal movingly with such confronting subjects as Aboriginal dispossession, neglected children and Japanese war crimes. But their humanity, humour and literary excellence ensure that each is an inspiring read.”
Perpetual’s National Manager of Philanthropy, Caitriona Fay, said: “As trustee of the Kibble Awards we are proud to promote both established and emerging female writers.”
“Congratulations to the six outstanding shortlisted authors, who are each advancing literature for the benefit of our community,” she said.
The 2015 Kibble Awards winners will be revealed at an event in Sydney on 15 July 2015.
For more information about the Award, please visit www.perpetual.com.au/kibble.
<ENDS>
Media enquiries:
Jarrah Aguera
Honner Media
02 8248 3745
jarrah@honnermedia.com.au
Note to editors
About Nita May Dobbie
Nita Dobbie established the Kibble Literary Awards for Women Writers in recognition of her aunt, Nita Kibble, who raised her from birth after her mother died.
In the late 1800s, Miss Kibble had successfully answered an advertisement for a junior assistant at the Public Library of New South Wales, when her signature was taken for a man’s. She later became the first woman to be appointed a librarian with the State Library of New South Wales and held the position of Principal Research Officer from 1919 until her retirement. Throughout her career she worked hard to raise the status of the library profession and was a founding member of the Australian Institute of Librarians.
Miss Dobbie followed her aunt into the library profession and recognised the need to foster women’s writing in the community and so established the Awards, named after her inspirational aunt, through her will.
Since the inception of the Kibble Literary Awards in 1994, many of Australia's leading women writers have received prizes, each benefiting from Nita Dobbie's foresight and vision. The trust behind the Awards was established with just under $400,000 and is managed by Perpetual. Today, it's worth more than $740,000 and has awarded over $530,000 to writers.
About Perpetual Philanthropic Services
Perpetual is one of Australia’s largest managers and distributors of philanthropic funds with $2.2 billion in funds under advice (as at 31 December 2014). Perpetual is trustee for more than 990 charitable trusts and endowments and provides individuals and families with advice on establishing charitable foundations and structured giving programs. Perpetual also assists charities and not-for-profit organisations with investment advice and management.
Perpetual’s Philanthropic Services and advice are provided by Perpetual Trustee Company Limited (PTCo), ABN 42 000 001 007, AFSL 236643. This publication has been prepared by PTCo and contains information contributed by third parties. It contains general information only and is not intended to provide advice or take into account personal objectives, financial situation or needs. The information is believed to be accurate at the time of compilation and is provided by PTCo in good faith. To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted for any loss or damage as a result of any reliance on this information. PTCo does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information included in this document which was contributed by a third party.Media Release