I’m very happy to have recently won the inaugural  Hope Prize.  It was run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence who ‘aim to create a more just and compassionate world’. The prize was established to encourage writing that transcends stereotypes of ‘the poor’ and to reflect stories of resilience in the face of poverty and disadvantage. It certainly did that, with 897 entries, which means that all those stories are now out floating around in the world  and hopefully helping to change people’s perceptions.

The judges were the actress and director  Cate Blanchett, the author Kate Grenville and ex Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce.  You couldn’t ask for a more interesting bunch of feisty, women – each outstanding in their own area and each with a clear social justice focus.

It’s a nice one to win on all sorts of levels – and there will be an anthology out in time for Christmas.