Her award-winning book, Näku Dhäruk The Bark Petitions: How the people of Yirrkala changed the course of Australian democracy is the final in her democracy trilogy. This work has now received 11 literary prize nominations and five wins, making it one of the most decorated books in Australian literary history.
The winners of the NSW Literary Awards were announced at last night’s opening event of the Sydney Writers’ Festival held at the State Library of NSW.
Professor Wright said it was a tremendous honour to have been nominated alongside a stellar list of other authors, whose research and writing she greatly admires.
“For a work of evidence-based history, grounded in scholarship, to be recognised for its literary merit is particularly sweet,” Professor Wright said.
“And of course the best thing about a win is the accompanying attention, which will draw more readers to the story, thus opening more minds and touching more hearts.
“This, I know, is something the Yolŋu people dearly want; acknowledgment of the diplomatic actions and politically paradigm-shifting vision of their ancestors.”
Professor Matthew McGuire, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at La Trobe congratulated Professor Wright on her outstanding achievement.
“Winning the NSW Literary Award is a fitting achievement for one of Australian’s most important living historians,” Professor McGuire said.
“The third book in the Democracy Trilogy, this is an outstanding piece of scholarship, one that cements Professor Wright’s place as a leading public intellectual. La Trobe University is incredibly proud to be associated with Professor Wright and her groundbreaking work helping us understand the vital contribution Indigenous people have made to the political history of Australia.”
Minister for the Arts the Hon John Graham MLC congratulated all the shortlisted and winning writers recognised in the awards.
“Through your work, we are reminded of the vital role literature plays in helping us listen, learn and connect with one another.”
About Professor Clare Wright OAM
Professor Clare Wright is an award-winning historian, author, broadcaster, podcaster and public commentator who has worked in politics, academia and the media. She is a Professor of History and Professor of Public Engagement at La Trobe University, and co-hosts, with Dr Yves Rees, La Trobe’s podcast, Archive Fever, currently in production for its eighth season, and hosts Literary La Trobe.
Professor Wright has authored five works of history, including the best-selling The Forgotten Rebels of Eureka (winner of the 2014 Stella Prize) and You Daughters of Freedom. Her acclaimed work Näku Dhäruk The Bark Petitions previously won the Australian Political Book of the Year, Queensland Literary Award for Non-Fiction and the NT History Book Award.
Professor Wright is also Chair of the National Museum of Australia Council.
About NSW Literary Awards
The NSW Literary Awards are the richest and longest running state-based literary awards in Australia and cover all genres of writing. They are administered by the State Library of NSW in association with Create NSW, with sponsorship support from Multicultural NSW, the University of Technology Sydney and The University of Sydney.
Photo: Professor Clare Wright with the third Näku Dhäruk Bark Petition at the National Museum of Australia, credit Jesse Dittmar.
Media enquiries
Debora McInnes – d.mcinnes@latrobe.edu.au, 0487 448 734
