Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The 2023 ACT Book of the Year has been awarded to Frank Bongiorno’s Dreamers and Schemers.
The 2023 ACT Book of the Year has been awarded to Frank Bongiorno’s Dreamers and Schemers.
The book is a compelling and comprehensive account of Australia’s political life, from pre-settlement Indigenous systems to the present day.
Frank is a previous winner of the 2013 ACT Book of the Year and will receive $10,000 for this year’s win.
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 Julieanne 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
This year’s shortlist was comprised entirely of non-fiction works.
You can purchase the books in bookstores across the city and borrow them from ACT Libraries.
The 2023 judging panel included Kaaron Warren, Adam Broinowski and Dylan Van Den Berg.
“Through Dreamers and Schemers Frank Bongiorno has skilfully combined multiple elements to deliver a captivating account of Australia’s political history,” the judges said.
“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” they said.
This is the 30th anniversary of the ACT Book of the Year Award.
Visit the artsACT website for more information.
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