Literary award to be announced

First published 26 September 2012

James Cook University has revealed a shortlist for the annual Colin Roderick Award, which recognises the best book published in the preceding year in any genre that deals with an aspect of Australian life.

The Award is part of the Foundation for Australian Literary Studies (FALS) at JCU, which is designed to foster the study of Australian literature within the University and in the community.

The Award is named after the Professor Colin Roderick, author and academic who came to JCU in 1965, where he worked until retiring in 1976. He established FALS and the award now bears his name.

The winner of the 2011 award will be announced at a special dinner next month.

JCU’s Professor Donat Gallagher judged the award, alongside Professor Peter Pierce and Associate Professor Stephen Torre.

Professor Gallagher said they were impressed by the high quality of the titles submitted and by the wide range of modes, styles, subjects and innovative approaches.

“Entries for the Award were of outstanding quality in every category – fiction, biography, history and poetry,” Professor Gallagher said.

“The short list was chosen from an exceptionally strong and varied field and comprises poetry, prose fiction, memoir, historical biography and literary exploration.”

The short list is:

• David Brooks, The Sons of Clovis: Ern Malley, Adoré Floupette and a secret history of Australian poetry (University of Queensland Press)

• Derelie Cherry, Alexander Macleay: from Scotland to Sydney (Paradise Publishers)

• Cate Kennedy, The Taste of River Water (Scribe Publication)

• Mark McKenna, An Eye for Eternity: The Life of Manning Clark (Miegunyah Press)

• Amy Mathews, End of the Night Girl (Wakefield Press)

• Gillian Mears, Foal’s Bread (Allen and Unwin)

• Francesca Rendle-Short, Bite Your Tongue (Spinifex Press)

Details:

FALS Award Presentation Dinner

Friday 19 October, 2012

George Coates Restaurant, Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE, corner Fulham Road and Hugh Street, Pimlico

JCU Media contact: Caroline Kaurila (07) 4781 4586 or 0437 028 175