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