Released 01/12/2023
The 2023 ACT Book of the Year has been awarded to Frank Bongiorno’s Dreamers and Schemers, a compelling and comprehensive account of Australia’s political life, from pre-settlement Indigenous systems to the present day. A previous winner of the 2013 ACT Book of the Year, Frank will receive $10,000 as the author of the 2023 ACT Book of the Year.
The judges have also awarded two highly commended and three shortlisted novels from local authors for 2023.
ACT Book of the Year 2023 finalists:
- Winner: Dreamers and Schemers by Frank Bongiorno
- Highly Commended: Lohrey by Julianne Lamond
- Highly Commended: Words for Lucy by Marion Halligan
- Shortlisted: Bulldozed: Scott Morrison’s fall and Anthony Albanese’s rise by Niki Savva
- Shortlisted: Legitimate Sexpectations: the power of sex-ed by Katrina Marson
- Shortlisted: Tomorrow there will be Apricots by Robert Bowker
You can purchase the books in bookstores across the city and they are also available on loan from ACT Libraries.
Minister for the Arts Tara Cheyne congratulated the winning author and those highly commended and shortlisted for the Award.
“Frank Bongiorno’s Dreamers and Schemers is an enthralling political history like no other, which will transform the way you look at Australian politics. Congratulations Frank!”
“I’d also like to congratulate Julianne Lamond and Marion Halligan for their incredible highly commended works and of course the remaining shortlisted authors, Niki Savva, Kate Marson and Robert Bowker. This year’s shortlist was comprised entirely of powerful non-fiction works.”
“Thank you to our judging panel, Kaaron Warren, Adam Broinowski and Dylan Van Den Berg, who had the enormous task of selecting the 2023 Award finalists - not at all an easy job with the outstanding quality of the works nominated.
“Every year the ACT Book of the Year Award showcases the excellence and incredible talent of Canberra’s writing community, and I hope that it inspires those who think they might like to write, to take the plunge and get started on their own book” said Minister Cheyne.
This is the 30th Anniversary of the Award. Visit the artsACT website for more information.
Judges’ comment:
Through Dreamers and Schemers Frank Bongiorno has skilfully combined multiple elements to deliver a captivating account of Australia’s political history. The book’s perceptive honesty and contemporary sensibility shine throughout the narrative, providing readers with a fresh perspective on the subject.
Bongiorno has achieved the difficult task of synthesising a large volume of material in a coherent, clear and accessible manner, and his fluent style allows deeper insight into the complex dynamics that have shaped politics in Australia.
- Statement ends -
Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases