The Alice Literary Award is presented to an Australian woman who has made a distinguished, long-term contribution to Australian Literature. The award is in the form of a trophy and it is presented biennially. The winner is chosen after consultation with the state branches of the Society and each branch takes a turn at hosting the Alice Literary Award.
The original bronze statuette is now too frail to be sent around the country so while the new recipients’ names will be added to the plaque, awardees will now be presented with individual trophies.
For the 2024 award, The Society of Women Writers Victoria nominated Alice Pung OAM, hosted by The Society of Women Writers Western Australia, and we are delighted with the news that Alice is the 2024 recipient.
You can read her acceptance speech here. Congratulations Alice!
The next Alice Award will be presented in 2026 hosted by the Society of Women Writers, Tasmania.
2022 host NSW, winner - Jackie French, NSW
2020 host Queensland – cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic
2018 host Victoria, winner - Sally Odgers
2016 winner - Dr Clare Wright, Victoria
2014 host Western Australia, winner - Libby Hathorn, New South Wales
2012 winner - Susanna de Vries OAM, Queensland
2010 winner - Christobel Mattingley, Victoria
2008 winner - Brenda Niall, Victoria
2006 winner - Rosemary Dobson, New South Wales
2004 winner - Dr Margaret Scott, Tasmania
2002 winner - Kate Grenville, New South Wales
2000 winner - Jill Shearer, Queensland
1998 winner - Kathryn Purnell, Victoria
1996 winner - Patsy Adam Smith, Victoria
1994 winner - Mem Fox, South Australia
1992 winner - Elizabeth Jolley, Western Australia
1990 winner - Nance Donkin, New South Wales
1988 winner - Nancy Cato, South Australia
1986 winner - Ruth Park, New South Wales
1984 winner - Kylie Tenant, New South Wales
1982 winner - Dame Mary Durack, Western Australia
1980 winner - Dame Judith Wright, Queensland
1978 winner - Eleanor Dark, New South Wales