La Trobe Reading Room in the State Library of Victoria. Image: www.slv.vic.gov.au
The UNESCO-designated City of Literature has celebrated the winners of the 11th Melbourne Prize with poet Chris Wallace-Crabbe AM awarded the $60,000 Melbourne Prize for Literature.
​Based in Melbourne and respected internationally for his verbally rich poetry and diverse range of interests, Wallace-Crabbe was presented the award in recognition of his contribution to Australian literature and cultural and intellectual life.
The recipient of the $30,000 Best Writing Award went to Andrea Goldsmith for her seventh novel, The Memory Trap described as a visceral, immediate and psychologically gripping work.
Kate Ryan was awarded the $20,000 Writers Prize 2015, offered for the first time this year, for her essay Psychotherapy for Normal People. A residency at the School of Culture & Communication at The University of Melbourne is included in the prize.
The winners were selected by the Melbourne Prize judging panel, Readings ​Managing Director Mark Rubbo OAM; Artistic Director and CEO of the Melbourne Writers Festival, Lisa Dempster; writer Craig Sherborne; and Director of the Wheeler Centre, Michael Williams.
