Writing prize winners announced

Published on 18 May 2026

The Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing (NPCW) winners were announced at a special event at Diamond Valley Library on Saturday. Victorian writer Terry Donnelly and poet Richenda Rudman won the open categories, while Nillumbik residents Carmel Macdonald Grahame and Kristyn J Saunders took out the local prizes.

More than 1120 entries were submitted for the 2026 prize by emerging and established writers and poets across Australia responding to the theme Echoes.

Mayor Naomi Joiner attended the announcement and presented one writer with the Mayor’s prize. She said the quality of the entries was as impressive as the quantity.

“The overwhelming response to the Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing really reflects the fact it is greatly respected among the Australian writing community,” Cr Joiner said.

“Council continues to be a strong supporter of the arts and artists locally and nationally and we are proud to present this incredible prize,” she said.

The NPCW evolved from the Alan Marshall Short Story Award and Nillumbik Ekphrasis Poetry Award to become a highly regarded biennial writing prize. It is delivered in partnership with Writers Victoria and Yarra Plenty Regional Library.

Winning works have been published in the 2026 Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Writing Anthology. You can download the anthology on our website or borrow a hard copy from a branch of Yarra Plenty Regional Library. Our thanks go to the judges of the 2026 Prize: Bebe Oliver, Jen Webb, Dr Julia Prendergast, and Raeden Richardson.

2026 NPCW winners:

Short story
Open category: Terry Donnelly, Victoria, Flight
Local category: Carmel Macdonald Grahame, Eltham, Protective Measures
Youth category: Matilda Mayson, New South Wales, Burning Cedar
Mayor’s prize: Charlotte Elizabeth Chidell, Victoria, Footfalls Echo in the Memory

Poetry
Open category: Richenda Rudman, Victoria, Visit to the Columbarium
Local category: Kristyn J Saunders, Victoria, Over There
Youth category: Raihan Ameur, Victoria, Our Candid Colosseum

Congratulations to all winning and shortlisted authors. More information is available on our website: nillumbik.vic.gov.au/NPCW

Pictured, from left: 2026 NPCW winners Raihan Ameur, Charlotte Elizabeth Chidell, Terry Donnelly, Richenda Rudman, Hannah Taylor on behalf of Kristyn J Saunders, and Carmel Macdonald Grahame.