In a heartwarming display of generosity and community spirit, acclaimed Bundjalung author Melissa Lucashenko has revealed that she is giving away a substantial portion of her recent literary prize winnings to support those in need. Lucashenko, whose latest novel Edenglassie has garnered widespread praise and numerous accolades, was awarded the $40,000 Mark and Evette Moran Nib prize on Wednesday evening, bringing her total prize earnings for the book to nearly $200,000 before tax.
While many authors might be tempted to keep such a windfall for themselves, Lucashenko sees things differently. “Part of all my prize money over the years has gone to people in desperate need, usually in my family, but not always,” she explained. “You’re not much of a Blackfella if you have a roof over your head and food in the fridge and people close to you don’t.”
A Cultural Obligation to Share
For Lucashenko, sharing her wealth is not just a personal choice but a cultural imperative. “A central tenet of traditional culture is to share when you can,” she said. This deeply held belief has guided her actions throughout her career, as she has consistently used her success to uplift others.
If everyone just looked after their family and did a little bit more, our people would be right.
– Bundjalung elder, as recounted by Melissa Lucashenko
Lucashenko’s commitment to her community is not just admirable but also practical. She recognizes that until systemic changes like treaty and reparations are achieved, individual actions can make a real difference in people’s lives. “I start with my immediate family and work outwards,” she explained. “My kids are housed. My siblings will all be housed by the end of the year. I’ve helped a single parent with a house deposit from previous years’ prizes.”
Edenglassie’s Continued Success
Lucashenko’s latest novel, Edenglassie, is a sweeping historical epic that has captivated readers and critics alike. Named after the penal colony that would become Brisbane, the book spans centuries, connecting the trauma of colonization to its ongoing impacts on contemporary Aboriginal lives. Despite the challenging subject matter, Lucashenko crafted the novel with skill and sensitivity, earning praise for her unflinching yet compassionate storytelling.
The Nib prize is just the latest in a string of accolades for Edenglassie, which has now won seven major awards and over $190,000 in prize money. The judging panel praised the novel’s “prose that sparks with electricity” and “characters that linger long in the reader’s mind,” calling it “a book that expands understanding.”
Writing Through Adversity
Lucashenko’s achievement is all the more remarkable given the challenges she faced while writing Edenglassie. She began the novel in 2019 and continued working on it through Covid lockdowns, catastrophic bushfires, Queensland floods, and the contentious voice referendum. Looking back, she marvels at her own resilience. “I don’t know how I managed to finish it,” she admitted, “but the result is a novel I wouldn’t change a sentence of.”
Her perseverance and dedication to her craft have clearly paid off, not just in critical acclaim but in the tangible impact her prize money is having on her community. By sharing her success, Lucashenko is not only honoring her cultural obligations but also demonstrating the transformative power of literature to change lives both on and off the page.
Looking to the Future
With Edenglassie’s success, Lucashenko is already looking ahead to her next project – a crime comedy set in a New South Wales Scrabble club. While she doesn’t expect this lighthearted novel to win any prizes, she feels compelled to write it, fulfilling a long-ago promise to some Scrabble-playing friends. It’s a testament to her versatility as a writer and her commitment to telling the stories that matter to her, whether they’re weighty historical sagas or quirky contemporary tales.
As Lucashenko continues to write, win, and give back, she serves as an inspiration to aspiring authors and community-minded individuals everywhere. Her example reminds us that success is not just about personal gain but about using our talents and resources to make a difference in the lives of others. In a world that often feels divided and uncertain, Lucashenko’s generosity and compassion offer a hopeful glimpse of what is possible when we prioritize empathy, share our blessings, and work together to build a better future for all.
