NOMINATION FORM

Johnno Award

AN ANNUAL AWARD RECOGNISING OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO WRITERS AND WRITING IN QUEENSLAND.

2025 nominations close: Tuesday 28 October 2025. Make a nomination now.

Presented annually since 2001 by Queensland Writers Centre's Management Committee, the Johnno Award celebrates outstanding services to writers and writing in Queensland—particularly volunteer work and work that goes largely unrecognised by the public or the industry. This includes not only writers but teachers, arts workers, advocates and community leaders who work to promote a vibrant and diverse writing community in Queensland.

The Johnno Award is named for Queensland Writers Centre founding patron David Malouf’s debut novel and seminal Queensland story, Johnno.

Nominations are accepted from Queensland Writers Centre members. The Johnno Award is presented annually at Queensland Writers Centre's member Christmas Party.

RECIPIENTS

2024 Yvette Holt – Poet/Advocate

2023 Dani Watson – Public Service

2022 Tess Rowley – Author/Advocate

2021 Andrea Baldwin – Community Service & Critical Friend

2020 Uncle Herb Wharton AM – Services to Literature and the Indigenous Community

2019 Eve Stafford OAM – Community Cultural Development

2018 Kristina Olsson – Fiction and Non-Fiction Writer

2017 Ellen Van Neerven – Indigenous Writer and Critic

2016 Dr Sandra Phillips – Indigenous Lecturer in Editing and Publishing Studies

2015 Suzy Wilson – Owner, Riverbend Books

2014 Robyn Sheahan-Bright – Teacher, Editor and Organiser

2013 Dr Stuart Glover – University of Queensland

2012 Sandy Curtis – WriteFest Bundaberg

2011 Graham Nunn – Poet

2010 Craig Munro – Publishing Manager

2009 Jenny Stubbs – Ipswich Children’s Literature Festival

2008 Fiona Stager – Avid Reader Bookshop

2007 Jeannie Adams – Black Ink Press Townsville

2006 Sue Abbey – Editor

2005 Liz Huf – Poet and Educator

2004 Ross Clark – Poet

2003 Jute – Theatre Ensemble, Cairns

2002 Papertiger Media – Publisher

2001 Nick Earls – Editor