The Prize for Indigenous Writing: Judges 2004

Tony Birch

Tony Birch is a lecturer in creative writing at the University of Melbourne. He has published widely in the areas of short fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction. He has also worked as a writer and curator in collaboration with photographers, film-makers and artists. He was the senior curator on the Koori Voices exhibition at Melbourne Museum's Bunjilaka Centre. He has a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne and is currently completing a doctorate in urban cultures and histories. He is the author of 'Reversing the Negative: A Portrait of Aboriginal Victoria', introductory essay and narrative text, in collaboration with photographer Ricky Maynard, Green Poles Design, 2000.

Meme McDonald

Meme McDonald grew up in south-west Queensland on a sheep and cattle property. After boarding school and a year on a scholarship in New York, Meme co-founded, West Theatre, one of Australia’s first professional community theatre groups. Her first book, Put Your Whole Self In (1992), was inspired by the stories of older women at the Melbourne City Baths. It is indicative of the way in which she works collaboratively. She is the author of eight books, five of them in collaboration with Boori Monty Pryor. Njunjul the Sun won the Prize for Young Adult Fiction in the 2002 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards.

Gaye Sculthorpe

Gaye Sculthorpe is a full-time member of the National Native Title Tribunal based in Melbourne. Until September 2003, Dr Sculthorpe worked at Museum Victoria where she was Head of the Department of Indigenous Cultures. In this capacity, she has worked closely with indigenous culture and heritage issues for over 20 years, including being involved in the development of Bunjilaka, the award-winning Aboriginal Centre at Melbourne Museum that opened in October 2000. Dr Sculthorpe is also a Council Member with the Australian Heritage Council. From 1995 until 1999, Dr Sculthorpe was a council member of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Dr Sculthorpe studied anthropology and history at the Australian National University and holds a PhD from La Trobe University in Melbourne. She is a descendant of the Pyemarriner people of north-east Tasmania.