2023 Newcastle Poetry Prize Shortlist Announced
The Hunter Writers’ Centre is delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2023 Newcastle Poetry Prize.
Thirty-one outstanding poems have been selected by the judges for the 2023 Newcastle Poetry Prize shortlist.
The judges, Judith Nangala Crispin and John Foulcher said, ‘After much lively and generous debate we settled on the poems which comprise this shortlist, and sadly, there were many fine poems which did not make the final cut. The shortlisted poems are impressively crafted demonstrating clear evidence of forensic drafting; they are obviously a result of a process which has been seriously undertaken. All submissions were considered blind, and when the identity of the writers in the shortlist were revealed to us, we were delighted to see strong works from familiar names in Australian poetry, but just as pleased to find names we’ve not come across before. The role of awards like the Newcastle Poetry Prize cannot be overstated for their ability to foster creative talent in Australia’s literary community.’
For over 30 years, the Newcastle Poetry Prize has championed Australian poets and their craft. With its generous prize pool sponsored by the University of Newcastle, and a first prize of $15,000, this significant competition provides a platform for both emerging and established voices to shine. The Newcastle Poetry Prize stands out in Australia as it embraces the long form poem, allowing poets to explore their craft across up to 200 lines. This distinctive aspect presents a challenge for poets to skilfully sustain their work, carefully balancing tone, pace, and rhythm to captivate readers throughout the journey.
University of Newcastle Pro Vice-Chancellor Human and Social Futures, Professor John Fischetti said, ‘Congratulations to the candidates who have been shortlisted for the Newcastle Poetry Prize, it’s a noteworthy acknowledgement of their work. The Newcastle Poetry Prize is one of the most significant poetry prizes in Australia and continues to add to the cultural vitality and vibrancy of our region.’
The winners of the Prize will be announced at the Newcastle Poetry Prize ceremony to be held at the University of Newcastle on Saturday, 18 November 2023.
The Newcastle Poetry Prize is an initiative of the Hunter Writers’ Centre, and proudly supported by the University of Newcastle.
2023 Newcastle Poetry Prize Shortlist
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Eileen Chong, ‘Inheritance’ |
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Joe Dolce, ‘8mm’ |
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SJ Finn, ‘Habitat for Humans’ |
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Jo Gardiner, ‘A Country Childhood’ |
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Jo Gardiner, ‘Illustrated Odes to the Forty Scenes of the Garden of Perfect Brightness’ |
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Jo Gardiner, ‘Library of Leaves’ |
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Susan Garman, ‘Unfinished’ |
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Jake Goetz, ‘Internal Climates’ |
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Kerry Greer, ‘Fragments’ |
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Andrew Heath, ‘A Country Postman’ |
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Paul Hetherington, ‘Inside the Image’ |
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Christopher (Kit) Kelen, ‘Bukovina’ |
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Jean Kent, ‘A Garden of the World’ |
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Jennifer Kornberger, ‘Report from Sarajevo’ |
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Roberta Lowing, ‘Bird, Grieving’ |
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Greg McLaren, ‘Newcastle Impermanent’ |
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Rachael Mead, ‘Social distance’ |
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Audrey Molloy, ‘The Weight of a Marriage’ |
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Mark O’Flynn, ‘D.I.Y. Eulogy’ |
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Vuong Pham, ‘Displaced’ |
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Bronwyn Rodden, ‘Jumpers’ |
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Robyn Rowland, ‘To Ilumine’ |
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Robyn Rowland, ‘The Quiet Patience of The Street’ |
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Kevin Smith, ‘The Crossing’ |
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Craig Smith, ‘Autoincorrect’ |
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Kevin Smith, ‘After’ |
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Mark Tredinnick, ‘Lines for Late Winter; Or, the Reef Heron’ |
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Mark Tredinnick, ‘Fall’ |
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Todd Turner, ‘On the Vale of Soul-Making’ |
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Dženana Vucic, ‘my father sits in a room alone’ |
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Jo Ward, ‘Convergence’ |
About the Newcastle Poetry Prize
For over 30 years, the Newcastle Poetry Prize has championed Australian poets and their craft. With its generous prize pool sponsored by The University of Newcastle, and a first prize of $15,000, this significant competition provides a platform for both emerging and established voices to shine. The national attention garnered by the prize has solidified Newcastle’s position as a prominent cultural hub for poetry in Australia.
Renowned poets and judges have lauded the Newcastle Poetry Prize for its notable impact on Australian literature. The Prize embraces the long form poem, allowing poets to explore their craft across up to 200 lines. This distinctive aspect presents a challenge for poets to skilfully sustain their work, carefully balancing tone, pace, and rhythm to captivate readers throughout the journey.
The accompanying anthology, a hallmark of the Newcastle Poetry Prize, captures the vibrant state of Australian poetry, featuring not only shorter verses but also longer, thought-provoking works that challenge and inspire.
About Hunter Writers' Centre
The Hunter Writers’ Centre is an incorporated, not-for-profit organisation established in 1995, providing support and opportunities to writers, writing and storytelling in other artistic media in the Hunter Valley region.
Hunter Writers’ Centre promotes and supports writing and related cultural activities for both beginners and practised writers and artists. We achieve this through workshops, short courses, residencies, a network of local writer’s groups, competitions, and awards.
In 2021, the Hunter Writers’ Centre established Lighthouse Arts, a multi-arts activation of Nobbys-Whibayganba headland cottages. The project involves writer and artist residencies, studio spaces, exhibition space, an arts trading store, and live events.
