Clare Wright shortlisted in the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards 2025!

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Näku Dhäruk The Bark Petitions: How the People of Yirrkala Changed the Course of Australian Democracy by Clare Wright has been shortlisted in the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards 2025.

Näku Dhäruk (Text Publishing) is the story of a founding document in Australian democracy and the trailblazers who made it. It is also a pulsating picture of the ancient and enduring culture of Australia’s first peoples.

The Vic Premier’s judge’s report on Wright’s book, reads;

“Completing her monumental ‘Democracy’ trilogy, Clare Wright’s Näku Dhäruk tells the story of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions, the first traditional documents to be recognised by the Australian parliament, and a hitherto underexplored turning point in the land rights movement. Impressive in the breadth and depth of its scholarship as well as its formidable prose, Wright adeptly and sensitively blends history and narrative to make a compelling case for the Bark Petitions to be considered – taught, learnt, and known – alongside Australia’s more familiar foundational events. Näku Dhäruk is an important and timely contribution to redressing ongoing colonial injustice and cultural amnesia.”

Winners of the 2025 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards will be announced on Wednesday, March 19. Congratulations to Clare, and all shortlisted and highly-commended creators!

Author: Clare Wright, OAM

Clare Wright shortlisted in the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards 2025!