About - Furphy Literary Award

About the Furphy Literary Award

The Furphy Literary Award will invites entries of previously unpublished short stories of up to 5000 words for a first prize of $15,000, 2nd prize of $3,000 and 3rd prize of $2,000 in the open category. A junior and youth category with a prize pool of $1,800 will seek entries for short stories and poetry. In addition to the monetary prizes it is intended that selected works in the open category will be included in an anthology to be published annually and that the winner of the open category will also be invited to participate in a residency program in Shepparton.

The Furphy Literary Award includes award winning judges, generous prizes and most importantly the platform and opportunity for all writers to use their talents to compete at the highest standard.

The Furphy Literary Award, both national & regional is made possible from the generous support and contribution provided by the sponsors and to the many people that have contributed to the Joseph Furphy Literary Awards since 1992.

COMPETITION OPENS

Celebrating Australian Storytelling

OPEN SHORT STORY COMPETITION

Entries open 1st February 2026

JUNIOR AND YOUTH COMPETITION

Entries open 1st March 2026

Furphy Literary Award Coordinator

Robyn Black

Our coordinator is Goulburn Valley poet, writer and memoirist, Robyn Black, whose poetry has featured in numerous Australian literary journals. No Straight Lines, published by Ginnenderra Press in 2012, is a collection of her poems. She also writes short stories.

Robyn’s long association with the Furphy Literary Award began when she won back-to-back Open Poetry awards in the days when it was known as the Joseph Furphy Commemorative Literary Award. When it became a national competition, there was no-one more suited for the position of coordinator – a role she loves – than Robyn. She also judges the Youth Poetry section of the Award.

Robyn is deeply interested in family history and has uncovered some remarkable stories about her own heritage. She is currently researching and writing her own personal history which she describes as ‘complicated’.

When she’s not travelling with her husband, or chilling out in The Top End, she can be found expanding repertoire with Shepparton’s Uke3A or hanging out with the Humpty Doo Ukelele Strummers.

Feel free to contact Robyn – email: fla@furphystory.com.au

Furphy Literary Award Advisory Board

Sam & Adam Furphy

Sam & Adam Furphy are the great, great grandsons of John Furphy, the Furphy company founder and the great, great, great nephews of Joseph Furphy. Sam & Adam are both 5th generation managers of the current day Furphy businesses. Sam is the Managing Director of Furphy Foundry & Adam is the Managing Director of J. Furphy & Sons.

Elizabeth Capp

Head Of Campus, Shepparton, LaTrobe University

Elizabeth is currently Head of Campus at La Trobe University, Shepparton and a leader with over 20 years’ experience in university management. She has a deep knowledge of the university environment and experience in leadership, management, and strategy. Elizabeth has held a range of faculty and central division management roles at Melbourne, Monash and now La Trobe universities, and has worked in academic program management, student services, faculty management, human resources, and community engagement. She is passionate about widening higher education participation and supporting local students to succeed at university.

Felicity Macchion

CEO of the Goulburn Valley Regional Library Corporation

Felicity is currently CEO of Goulburn Valley Libraries, an independently governed statutory corporation providing library services to the City of Greater Shepparton, Moira and Strathbogie Shires. She has had various roles throughout her 30-year career in Public libraries. A role that provides leadership and strategic direction to a staff of 50 plus personnel across eleven Library branches.

A participant in the Gates Foundation – International Network of Emerging Library Innovators (INELI) program. An Executive board member of Public Libraries Victoria and also part of the State Library Advisory Committee on Public Libraries (ACPL).

My passion is supporting our communities with free access to library services and offering support to many that need us; we are books and so much more.

Renee Austin

Manager Community Wellbeing at Greater Shepparton City Council

Renee has worked in a variety of roles in local government including emergency management, multicultural development and community strengthening and has recently taken on the role of Manager of Community Wellbeing with Greater Shepparton City Council. Community Wellbeing encompasses a wide-range of portfolios including community development, community safety, social equity, healthy communities, diversity and inclusion. Renee is passionate about supporting positive community-led outcomes, increasing intersectional approaches to the development of programs and policy and encouraging young people to follow their passion.