The national prestige of the Gold Coast’s Josephine Ulrick Literature and Poetry prizes has been confirmed with this year’s winners coming from interstate.
Cameron Raynes from South Australia, has won the $10,000 literature prize with his short story Taxi, while David Musgrave from Sydney received the $10,000 poetry prize for his poem Grace.
The prizes were announced at the Gold Coast City Art Gallery on Thursday, May 8.
Griffith’s School of Arts administers the prizes on behalf of the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Foundation for the Arts on the Gold Coast.
Judging coordinator and head of Griffith’s creative writing program, Associate Professor Nigel Krauth, said the prizes continue to receive entries from all parts of Australia, and even from Australians overseas.
“This is the 10th anniversary of the Ulrick poetry prize,” Dr Krauth said.
“Since it started, more than 2000 entries have been received. Exceptional poetry has been discovered.
“The literature prize is younger, but in six years 1500 entries have been submitted.”
In 2008 the literature prize attracted 295 entries and the poetry prize 270.
“Moves are afoot to produce a collection of stories and poems drawing together winners and runners-up of the two prizes over the last ten years,” Dr Krauth said.
“It promises to be a significant publication.”
Runners-up for the Literature Prize were Siall Waterbright of Brisbane and Kita Iqbal of WA, while commendations went to John Millett (Southport), Judy Bierwirth (Victoria) and Erin Ritchie (Victoria). Runner up for the poetry prize was Siall Waterbright and commendations went to Andrew Slattery (NSW), Simon Sandall (Sandgate) and Nathan Shepherdson (Glasshouse Mountains).
Judges were novelists Dr Frank Moorhouse and Dr Sally Breen and poets MTC Cronin and Anthony Lawrence.
Winners and judges of the Josephine Ulrick Literature and Poetry Competitions will read from their latest works on Saturday, May 10 at the Gold Coast City Art Gallery from 3pm. Admission free.