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The Furphy Literary Award will invites entries of previously unpublished short stories of up to 5000 words for a first prize of $15,000, 2nd prize of $3,000 and 3rd prize of $2,000 in the open category.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
- $15,000 first prize
- Short story max. 5000-word limit
- Australia wide, 18+
JUNIOR AND YOUTH COMPETITION
Entries open 1st March 2026
- $1800 prize pool
- Short story and poetry categories
- GV and surrounds, under 18
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.
Laura Baker
Head Of Campus, Shepparton, LaTrobe University
Baker commenced as Head of Campus, Shepparton in early 2026. She brings more than a decade of leadership experience spanning across education, corporate and local government sectors. Most recently, she served as Executive Director, Student Experience at GOTAFE, working in Shepparton and across the broader region.
Laura is passionate about the role education plays in strengthening regional communities and enhancing local social and economic outcomes. Her work focuses on strategic engagement that connects education, industry and community to expand participation and deliver outcomes that reflect regional priorities.
Sallyanne Boyle
CEO of the Goulburn Valley Regional Library Corporation
Renee Austin
Manager – Community Well-Being with 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.
Open and Junior Sponsors
Open Sponsors
