Author Alexis Wright wins Kate Challis RAKA 2026 Award
The Faculty of Arts is delighted to announce that Waanyi author Alexis Wright has won the 2026 Kate Challis RAKA Award for her novel Praiseworthy (2023).
The Kate Challis RAKA Award was established by Professor Emeritus Bernard Smith in memory of his late wife and was first awarded in 1991. Every year since, the award has advanced the recognition of Indigenous artistic achievements. It was one of the earliest awards for Indigenous artists in Australia and is administered by the Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne. RAKA, which means 'five' in the Pintupi language, is awarded annually to an Indigenous artist for a work in one of five categories: creative prose, poetry, script writing, drama and visual arts.
In bestowing the Award, the judging panel described Praiseworthy as a remarkable literary achievement.
"Genre-defying in form and ambitious in scope, Alexis Wright’s Praiseworthy is a powerhouse of visionary thought and expression."
The judges praised Wright's distinctive use of language and storytelling, grounded in Aboriginal oral traditions and engaging with global literary traditions.
"Sovereignty, climate catastrophe, capitalism and indigeneity collide in a work that refuses easy resolution and transforms the act of reading itself."
The panel also celebrated the breadth and quality of submissions in the creative prose category, noting the vibrancy of Indigenous storytelling and its exploration of Country, language, culture and humour.
Reflecting on Praiseworthy, Wright described her ambition to expand the possibilities of literature through a deeply researched and multi-layered novel, engaging with Aboriginal experiences and climate change.
"My long-term vision in the writing of Praiseworthy, was to create a highly imaginative, multi-layered book to bring literature closer to the spirit of our times and of our country," Wright said.
Wright also reflected on the influence of her upbringing, her grandmother and the knowledge shared by Elders.
On receiving the Award, Wright said:
"I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the 2026 Kate Challis RAKA Award for my novel Praiseworthy.
"It is a great thrill to be in the company of the talented and distinguished Indigenous winners of this important award celebrating the achievements of our artists."
Wright acknowledged the influence of previous recipients and the significance of the Award for her future writing.
"The RAKA award will make a huge difference in how I expand my practice in literature. It will help to provide me with greater confidence to undertake the work I believe is required as in my novel Praiseworthy, to create visionary literature of our times."
Commendations were also made to Larissa Behrendt for After Story (2022), Allanah Hunt for Forever & Ever (2026) and Melissa Lucashenko for Edenglassie (2023).
Full citations and past winners of the Kate Challis RAKA Award can be found on the Faculty of Arts website.