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David Unaipon Award for an Emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Writer
About the award
Part of the Queensland Literary Awards, the David Unaipon Award is for an outstanding unpublished manuscript by an emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writer.
Eligibility
- All emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers are eligible, this includes those who:
- are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
- identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- are accepted as such by the communities in which they live or have lived or worked.
- Writers who have published/self-published a book are not eligible to enter.
- Entries must include a copy of a document that confirms Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This might be a letter of confirmation with a common seal from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander incorporated community organisation, or a confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage, or a statutory declaration form that is witnessed and signed appropriately.
- Eligible writers encompass those who have never been published and those who have previously published individual works (short stories, poems, articles, or essays) in magazines, journals, anthologies, or newspapers, whether in print or online.
- For co-authored manuscripts, all authors must meet the eligibility criteria.
- Manuscripts can be in any literary category including novels, collections of short stories, collections of poems, works for children, biographies, autobiographies and memoirs, and general non-fiction.
- To confirm you're eligible to enter this category, download the full 2025 terms and conditions of entry document.
- Entry is free to this category.
Prize
$20,000 supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund, plus manuscript development and publication with University of Queensland Press.
2025 key dates
- 3 March: entries open
- 22 April: entries close at 5 pm AEST
- 3 March–17 March: early bird entry period
- 18 March–22 April: standard entry period
- 30 April: deadline for books to arrive at State Library
- 5 August: shortlist announced
- 12 September: awards ceremony at State Library of Queensland
Nomination requirements
- Manuscript
- Cover letter (introduce yourself to the judges – give a brief biography, relevant writing or education experience, and any publication history)
- A one-page synopsis that summarises the manuscript
How to enter
- Download and read the full 2025 terms and conditions of entry document.
- Read the nomination FAQs.
- Complete an online nomination form by 5 pm AEST on 22 April 2025.
- Attach all required documents.
- You will receive confirmation of your accepted nomination via email.
More information
Congratulations to the 2024 finalists!
"Native Rage"
Dominic Guerrera - Winner
Judges' comments:
This beautifully realised poetry collection travels from cutting reflections on First Nations sovereignty and racism to unrequited love and family connections. Poignant poems of ordinary Blak life add vulnerability and tenderness. A very impressive entry from a Nunga man with fire in his belly and a passionate vision for his people.
Photo by Jake Brusnahan
"Politics"
Chella Goldwin
Judges' comments:
Incorporating some outstanding poems, this collection has great value in skilfully reflecting the cultural stance of a Torres Strait Islander woman with intimate connections to Torres Strait Islander grassroots communities. Standout pieces included "Stolen Wages", "Jimmy Clements", "Burning of Mapoon" and "Racism". "Bastards" was another particularly strong poem that the judges liked.
Photo: supplied
"River Page"
Lulu Houdini
Judges' comments:
Houdini excels twice here, both in her use of poetic language, and also in the curation of her collection. Poems like "Boomerang" (‘The wind/that holds/the flight/ are the years/it took/to return/’) and "It Is Held In The Mouth" (‘If there are eagles on the other side, wait for me’) demonstrate exceptional promise. A very interesting young poet who deserves further development.
Photo by Ingrid Coles Photography
Highly commended
The judges also highly commended the manuscript "UNAIPON" by Kym Harold Kropinyeri.
Past winners
2024
"Native Rage"
Dominic Guerrera
2023
“To Give Them a Voice”
Maria van Neerven
2022
"Always Will Be – stories of Goori sovereignty, from the future(s) of the Tweed"
Mykaela Saunders
2021
"Mekauwe = Tears Volume #1 (Notes For Song) 1970-2020"
Ngankiburka-mekauwe (Senior Woman-of Water) Georgina Williams
2020
"The Space Between the Paperbark"
Jazz Money
2018
"The Making of Ruby Champion"
Kirstie Parker
Queensland Literary Awards
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