Bongiorno wins ACT Book of the Year

Frank Bongiorno has been awarded the 2023 ACT Book of the Year for Dreamers and Schemers: A political history of Australia (La Trobe University Press).

Bongiorno’s book, which covers social and cultural history of political life in Australia from pre-colonisation First Nations systems to the present day, was described as ‘a captivating account of Australia’s political history’.

The $10,000 award ‘celebrates outstanding literary talent in the ACT and the valuable contribution it makes to Canberra’s cultural life’.

The following two titles were highly commended for the award:

• Lohrey (Julieanne Lamond, The Miegunyah Press), ‘an in-depth analysis and immersive account of Amanda Lohrey’s life and how it shaped her writing and fictional expertise’
• Words for Lucy (Marion Halligan, Thames & Hudson), ‘a masterful piece of storytelling, reflecting a deeply personal journey through the tragic, sad, and affectionate life experiences of Marion Halligan’s family’.

Bongiorno, Lamond and Halligan were shortlisted for the award alongside Legitimate Sexpectations: The power of sex-ed (Katrina Marson, Scribe), Bulldozed: Scott Morrison’s fall and Anthony Albanese’s rise (Niki Savva, Scribe) and Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots (Robert Bowker, Shawline).

Last year’s winner was Subhash Jaireth for the essay collection Spinoza’s Overcoat: Travels with writers and poets (Transit Lounge).

More information about the award is available on the artsACT website.

Category: Awards Local news