The Magarey Medal for biography is a biennial prize. The prize is awarded to the female author who has published the work judged to be the best biographical writing on an Australian subject in the preceding two years. The awarding of the prize is administered and judged by a panel set up by the Association for the Study of Australian Literature and the Australian Historical Association. The prize is very generously donated by Professor Emerita Susan Magarey.

This year, debut author Diana Thorp has made the 2026 Magarey Medal shortlist for her book Code of Silence: How Australian Women Helped Win the War (Monash University Publishing)

Congratulations! And many thanks to the judges, Heather Neilson, Chris Wallace, and Adelle Sefton-Rowston and to ASAL prizes co-ordinator, Dr Monique Rooney.

The prize will be presented at the Australian Historical Association and Association for the Study of Australian Literature conferences, in July.