Fiona McFarlane

A collection of stories that focus on life’s pivotal moments when fortunes can change, and a biography described as one of the strangest and most fascinating reads were announced as winners at the 2018 Kibble and Dobbie Literary Awards (the Kibble Awards).

Fiona McFarlane’s The High Places, a collection of 14 stories, was announced as the recipient of the 2018 Kibble award for an established author. The Dobbie Award for a first-time published author was awarded to Sarah Krasnostein for her biography, The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman’s Extraordinary Life in Death, Decay & Disaster.

The Kibble Awards celebrate Australian female authors who, through their writing, aim to improve and advance literature for the benefit of the Australian community. Established in 1994, with Perpetual as Trustee, the Kibble Awards are held biennially in honour of Nita Kibble, the first female librarian of the State Library of New South Wales. The winner of the Kibble Award receives $30,000 and the Dobbie Award winner receives $5,000.

The judging panel of the Kibble Awards includes Emeritus Professor Elizabeth Webby AM, State Library of New South Wales Coordinator – Education and Scholarship, Dr Rachel Franks, and author Dr Eleanor Limprecht.

Speaking on behalf of the panel, Professor Webby said: “The continuing high quality of life writing by Australian women is inspiring and exciting to read. This year’s winning works are especially notable for their originality and literary excellence.”

“The Kibble awards help Australian female authors continue to realise their passion for writing, while celebrating female talent in Australia’s literary sector and inspiring the next generation of women writers.

“The irony in Nita Kibble’s story is that she was only able to begin her career in the Public Library of New South Wales when her signature was mistaken for a man’s. Now these awards are helping to celebrate and advance the careers of female authors,” said Prof Webby.

Perpetual’s National Manager of Philanthropy and Non-Profit Services, Caitriona Fay, congratulated Fiona and Sarah on their winning works.

“The Nita B Kibble Awards is one of Perpetual’s flagship philanthropic trusts that has awarded more than $630,000 to Australian female authors. Some of Australia’s leading women writers have been recipients.

“The Kibble Awards are a great example of how individuals can support creative passions through a charitable trust and create a legacy for the inspirational work of a generation gone-by that has a positive tangible impact on the careers of current and future generations.

“We are very proud to be involved in keeping the legacy of Nita May Dobbie and Nita Kibble alive,” said Caitriona.

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