Rosemary Dobson, one of Australia's foremost poets, received the Special Award in the 2006 New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards. The Special Award is designed to recognise work 'not readily covered by the existing categories' or for a 'writer's achievements generally'. Dobson, who turns 86 in June, has published more than a dozen collections of poetry. Both her first and most recent selections were in booklet form, beginning with Poems (1937) and finishing – to date – with Folding the Sheets and Other Poems (2004).
Books in the intervening years include the prize-winning volumes The Three Fates and Other Poems (1984) and Untold Lives and Other Poems (2000). The citation for Dobson's award noted the remarkable circle of poets that gathered in the Canberra area in the 1970s. Among Dobson's acquaintances were David Campbell, A. D. Hope, R. F. Brissenden and Judith Wright; an assembly that generated fine writing and deep friendships.
The citation concludes: 'The level of originality and strength of Rosemary's poetry cannot be underestimated, nor can the contribution she has made to Australian literature. Her literary achievements, especially her poetry, are a testament to her talent and dedication to her art and we should feel honoured to know her.'
Other winners in the 2006 Awards include:
Kate Grenville for The Secret River (Fiction)
Jacob G. Rosenberg for East of Time (Non-Fiction)
Jaya Savige for Latecomers (Poetry)
Ursula Dubosarsky for Theodora's Gift (Young People's Literature)
Kierin Meehan for In the Monkey Forest (Children's Literature)
Steven Lang for An Accidental Terrorist (New Writing)
andThomas Murphy for 'Strangers In Between' (Drama)
A complete list of winners, with judges' comments, can be viewed on the Arts New South Wales website.
communication, Australian literature
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