AustLit
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Latest Winners / Recipients
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Year: 1923
winner Drought 1924 1924 single work drama
— Appears in: Prize One-Act Plays 1934; (p. 77-93) Plays in One Act 1958;After years of drought, selectors Joe and Ellie have reached their breaking point. In fact the struggle has brought them to the brink of madness. The pair argue and reminisce about everything and nothing before Joe finally decides in a moment of clarity that Ellie should leave and go back to her family in the city. Although she is somewhat hesitant Joe begs her to go quickly before his sanity leaves him. Ellie gathers a few possessions and walks to the door. As she is about to leave she notices that the sky is getting dark. 'Clouds cranking' up a bit I expect,' says Joe, in reference to the smoke from the incessant bushfires. Ellie leaves and shortly afterwards Joe turns his rifle on himself. At the same time he fires the gun a crack of thunder is heard, followed by the sound of wild rain. Moments later his wife rushes in....
The play is set entirely within the livingroom of a bush shanty situated near the Bogan River, New South Wales.
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Year: 1920
inaugural winner Gallipoli i "Rust on the cannon, cobwebs on the drum -", 1920 single work poetry
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 2 September vol. 41 no. 2116 1920; (p. 40)
Works About this Award
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Drought : Australian Woman's Success 1934 single work column
— Appears in: The Examiner , 30 August 1934; (p. 9)Discusses Armstrong's successful play Drought which was performed in London at St Martin's Theatre subsequent to winning praise in Australia.
Also provides details of Armstrong's war service and establishment of a soldier settler farm which she received after returning from active nursing duty in France.
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One-Act Play Prize Award 1924 single work column
— Appears in: The Argus , 5 January no. 24154 1924; (p. 18)