Kibble Awards for Women Writers

The Kibble Awards for Women Writers recognise female writers who have published fiction or nonfiction classified as 'life writing'. This includes novels, autobiographies, biographies, literature and any writing with a strong personal element.

Applications for the 2010 Nita B Kibble Awards have now closed.

2009 Nita B Kibble Awards

The 2009 Kibble Literary Awards for Women Writers were announced 3 June in Sydney.

The Kibble Award was presented to Jacqueline Kent for An Exacting Heart: The Story of Hephzibah Menuhin. The Dobbie Encouragement Award for a first published work went to Claire Thomas for Fugitive Blue. Download the media release.

About Nita Kibble and the Awards

Nita Dobbie established the Kibble Awards for Women Writers in recognition of her aunt, Nita Kibble. Miss Kibble raised her from birth after her mother died and was also the first woman to be appointed a librarian with the State Library of New South Wales.

In the late 1800’s, Miss Kibble had successfully answered an advertisement for a junior assistant at the Public Library of New South Wales, when her signature was taken for a man’s. She later became the first female librarian with the State Library of New South Wales and held the position of Principal Research Officer from 1919 until her retirement. Throughout her career she worked hard to raise the status of the library profession and was a founding member of the Australian Institute of Librarians.

Miss Dobbie followed her aunt into the library profession and recognised the need to foster women’s writing in the community and so established the Awards through her will. Perpetual manages the charitable trust and the Awards.

The Kibble Awards for Women Writers offer one example of how one person’s philanthropic vision, together with specialist advice, can leave a lasting legacy that keeps on giving.

The trust behind the Awards was established with just under $400,000 and is managed by Perpetual. Today it’s worth more than $680,000 and has awarded more than $300,000 to writers.

To find out more about establishing a legacy through a charitable trust or bequest, visit Perpetual’s Philanthropic Solutions website or phone us on 1800 501 227.