CASS' Professor Joan Beaumont Selected as a Judge for the 2009 Prime Minister's Literary Awards

The Director of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Joan Beaumont, has been announced as one of three judges for the Prime Minister's 2009 Literary Awards in the Non-Fiction category by the Federal Arts Minister and ANU graduate, Mr Peter Garrett.

The Prime Minister's Literary Awards recognise Australian authors who published in 2008 and is Australia’s richest and most prestigious literary prizes with winners of both the fiction and non-fiction category each receiving $100,000 tax free.

“The judging panel is made up of experts who will provide the Prime Minister with a shortlist and a recommendation for the winner in each category,” Mr Garrett said.

“The non-fiction panel is chaired by broadcaster, writer and filmmaker Phillip Adams AO. Author and editor of Australian Book Review Peter Rose and historian Professor Joan Beaumont FASSA are the other panel members.

“The Prime Minister’s Literary Awards recognise exceptional work and provide authors with an opportunity to extend their readership and advance their literary careers.  These six judges bring a wealth of life experience, knowledge of Australian heritage and culture, and a love of books to the 2009 Awards.”

Entries for the awards have now closed, and the panel will consider 93 fiction and 161 non-fiction entries.

The fiction and non-fiction shortlist will beannounced later in 2009. This will be followed by an announcement of the winners at an Awards event.

For more information on the awards visit www.arts.gov.au/pmliteraryawards

(Source: Judges for 2009 Prime Minister's Literary Awards Media Release)