The Alice Literary Award is presented biennially in the form of a trophy to ‘an Australian woman who has made a distinguished, long-term contribution to Australian literature’.

The winner is chosen after consultation with all state branches of the Society of Women Writers.

The Alice is a prestigious award for any author as it is awarded by a jury of fellow writers. Previous winners have included major names in Australian literature like Dame Mary Durack, Judith Wright, Ruth Park, Kylie Tennant, Kate Grenville and Brenda Niall. The bronze statuette is awarded for ‘an outstanding long-term contribution to Australian literature.

- Sydney Morning Herald

2022 host NSW, winner - Jackie French, NSW

2020 host Queensland – cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic

2018 host Victoria, winner - Sally Odgers

2016 winner - Dr Clare Wright, Victoria

2014 host Western Australia, winner - Libby Hathorn, New South Wales

2012 winner - Susanna de Vries OAM, Queensland

2010 winner - Christobel Mattingley, Victoria

2008 winner - Brenda Niall, Victoria

2006 winner - Rosemary Dobson, New South Wales

2004 winner - Dr Margaret Scott, Tasmania

2002 winner - Kate Grenville, New South Wales

2000 winner - Jill Shearer, Queensland

1998 winner - Kathryn Purnell, Victoria

1996 winner - Patsy Adam Smith, Victoria

1994 winner - Mem Fox, South Australia

1992 winner - Elizabeth Jolley, Western Australia

1990 winner - Nance Donkin, New South Wales

1988 winner - Nancy Cato, South Australia

1986 winner - Ruth Park, New South Wales

1984 winner - Kylie Tenant, New South Wales

1982 winner - Dame Mary Durack, Western Australia

1980 winner - Dame Judith Wright, Queensland

1978 winner - Eleanor Dark, New South Wales

Back