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NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell MP, Presented 2011 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards at a gala dinner at the Sydney Opera House
(Coverage by: Syed Zafar Hussain, Editor-in-Chief Sada-e-Watan Sydney)

On the evening of the 16 May 2011, the winners of the 2011 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards were announced at a gala dinner at the Sydney Opera House. Some of the countries leading writers and luminaries were at the event, including ABC TV presenter Jennifer Byrne (as MC), NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and former Prime Minster of Australia, Malcolm Fraser.

The judges said the book, which charts the 79-year-old's time in public life, was "an engaging work that demonstrates how literary craft can transcend the usual limitations of political autobiography".

The authors received a total of $50,000 in prize money. Mr Fraser says he knew the book was on the right track after his wife, Tammie, started reading the drafts.

"I thought she would read a couple of pages and say 'I'll put that aside and read it later' but she picked up the draft and read them from front to finish and she said she was fascinated and was really interested and she's not really somebody who's greatly interested in political memoirs," he said.

Discussing the work, Mr Fraser revealed that despite their political differences, he saw his former adversary Gough Whitlam, "as a friend".
"I think Gough had grand ideas but he was, to put it kindly, not a good economic manager, he really wasn't", he said.
"He thought money fell out of the trees. He had a view of Australia as an independent nation. He would not have wanted to be a puppy dog to the United States and neither would have [former prime minister Paul] Keating, but recent prime ministers seem to want to do everything America wants."

One of Australia’s best-loved writers, Alex Miller, was awarded the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction for Lovesong. Alex has received numerous awards for his writing, including twice winning the prestigious Miles Franklin Award. Miller also won The People’s Choice Award. Introduced three years ago to increase public engagement with the arts, the People’s Choice Award was chosen by Australian residents from the six novels shortlisted for the Christina Stead Prize.

Former Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Fraser, along with Margaret Simons were awarded the Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction for Malcolm Fraser: The Political Memoirs. It also took out Book of The Year. The judges described it as an engaging work that demonstrates how literary craft can transcend the usual limitations of political autobiography.

The NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, established in 1979, were Australia’s first premier’s awards. In their 32 year history, they have honoured many of the nation’s greatest writers, including David Malouf, Shaun Tan and Jane Campion. Over the course of the evening, $315,000 in prizes were given out over 13 categories.

In his address the Chief Guest Premier of New South Wales Hon. Barry O’Farrell MP said:
I welcome you tonight as we celebrate excellence in Australian literature. The New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards provide an opportunity to highlight the importance of literacy and to encourage everyone to enjoy and learn from the work of our writers.

These annual awards honour distinguished achievement by Australian writers, contribute to Australia’s artistic reputation, and draw international attention to some of our best writers and to the cultural environment that nurtures them. Twenty two judges considered hundreds of nominations and tonight we announce the winners of the 2011 Awards and hand over prizes to a total value of $315,000.I sincerely thank those dedicated judges. I would also like to pay tribute to our generous award sponsors and guests this evening and congratulate the winners.