CultureQueensland literary awards: ‘stunning’ debut inspired by segregated shantytown wins top prize

Meriam and Wagedagam author Lenora Thaker won the A$30,000 Queensland premier’s award for a work of state significance for her historical debut novel, The Pearl of Tagai Town. It draws on her ancestors’ lives in Cairns-Malay Town, a shantytown that housed residents from several communities segregated from the white population. Other Queensland literary award winners were also announced.

Queensland literary awardsLenora Thakerliterary prizes

TThe Guardian★★☆☆☆2026-10-08 10:30Original