Talented writers from across Australia have been celebrated through this year’s Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, which mark 40 years in 2025.
The Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards present eight category awards valued at $25,000 including: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Drama, Poetry, Award for Indigenous Writing, Children’s Literature, Writing for Young Adults and Humour Writing. These winners then go in the running for the Victorian Prize for Literature, which includes a further $100,000 in prize money.
This year the coveted Victorian Prize for Literature has been awarded to Nukgal Wurra author-artist, Wanda Gibson for her picture book Three Dresses. This is the first time a children’s book has taken out the overall prize.
Three Dresses takes inspiration from Gibson’s own childhood in Far North Queensland and her family’s annual beach holidays. A master weaver, painter and artist, Gibson’s accompanying illustrations convey a celebration of family, country and home.
Along with Wanda Gibson’s top prize win, First Peoples writers were recognised across multiple categories, including Jeanine Leane’s win for the Prize for Poetry with her collection, Gawimarra: Gathering, and Nathan Maynard’s win in the Prize for Drama for 37, which was staged at Melbourne Theatre Company earlier this year. The Prize for Indigenous Writing went to Black Witness by Amy McGuire, a collection of essays and journalism that aims to centre Black witnesses.
The inaugural winner of the John Clarke Prize for Humour Writing is Robert Skinner for his wryly funny memoir, I’d Rather Not. Named in honour of the late, great satirist John Clarke, the prize champions the work of comedic writing talent.
Other category winners include Fiona McFarlane who was awarded the Prize for Fiction for the gripping Highway 13; Susan Hampton, whose laconic and artful memoir, anything can happen, was selected for the Prize for Non-Fiction; and Emma Lord’s debut, Anomaly, which was named winner of the Prize for Writing for Young Adults.
This year’s winner of the Unpublished Manuscript award is Chris Ames for I Made This Just for You. Designed to uncover new Victorian writing talent, the winner receives $15,000 and a two-week residency at McCraith House in Dromana, as part of a partnership between The Wheeler Centre and RMIT Culture. This award has launched the careers of many Victorian writers including Jane Harper, Maxine Beneba Clarke and Melanie Cheng, whose latest novel The Burrow was shortlisted for the 2025 Prize for Fiction.
Taking out the People’s Choice Award was I’d Rather Not by Robert Skinner. Voted for by the public, Skinner receives a further $2,000 in prize money, gifted by The Wheeler Centre.
The Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards are administered by The Wheeler Centre on behalf of the Premier of Victoria. To read more about this year’s winners visit https://www.wheelercentre.com/
2025 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award winners
Victorian Premier’s Prize for Literature
Three Dresses, Wanda Gibson (University of Queensland Press)
Prize for Children’s Literature
Three Dresses, Wanda Gibson (University of Queensland Press)
John Clarke Prize for Humour Writing
I’d Rather Not, Robert Skinner (Black Inc.)
Prize for Drama
37, Nathan Maynard (Currency Press & Melbourne Theatre Company)
Prize for Fiction
Highway 13, Fiona McFarlane (Allen & Unwin)
Prize for Non-Fiction
anything can happen, Susan Hampton (Puncher & Wattmann)
Prize for Indigenous Writing
Black Witness, Amy McQuire (University of Queensland Press)
Prize for Poetry
Gawimarra: Gathering, Jeanine Leane (University of Queensland Press)
Prize for Writing for Young Adults
Anomaly, Emma Lord (Affirm Press)
Prize for an Unpublished Manuscript
I Made This Just for You, Chris Ames
People’s Choice Award
I’d Rather Not, Robert Skinner (Black Inc.)