Fremantle author Molly Schmidt has won the 2022 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award for her manuscript Salt River Road.
Judged anonymously, the biennial prize is in its 32nd year and is presented to an emerging West Australian writer for their first full-length, unpublished work of fiction or narrative non-fiction.
The winner of the award takes home a $15,000 cash prize and a publishing contract with Fremantle Press.
Fremantle Press publisher and Hungerford judge Georgia Richter said this year's winning novel was interspersed with beautiful passages of verse - an effective way of navigating the difficult, changeable journey of grief.
"Salt River Road is about the five Tetley kids, who are falling apart in aftermath of the death of their beloved mother," Ms Richter said.
"With the family farm in ruins and their father unable to transcend his grief, Rose Tetley is discovered running away from home by Nyoongar Elders Patsy and Herbert, who have their own history with Rose's parents.
"This novel focuses on the fabric of small-town life, and the complexity of family and community relationships."
Schmidt's coming-of-age story set in regional Western Australia in the 1970s drew on her own experience of losing her father to cancer. She said it explored the reality of a childhood lost to hospital corridors and the gaping hole a parent leaves behind.
In a parallel narrative, Salt River Road acknowledges the stories and wisdom of the Traditional Custodians of the Great Southern region, the Menang and Goreng Nyoongar people.
"I wrote this story in consultation with Nyoongar Elders from the Albany area, and I am so grateful for their time and friendship," Schmidt said.
"I hope Salt River Road can become a poignant example of the possibilities of cross-cultural collaboration."
The winner of the 2022 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award was announced at a ceremony at Fremantle Arts Centre last night.
Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said she was delighted that two of the four shortlisted writers lived in Fremantle.
"We are proudly a creative city and seeing our local writers recognised in this way is brilliant. I can't wait to read Molly's work!" Mayor Fitzhardinge said.
"I'm confident all four shortlisted writers will one day look back on the night as a significant early milestone in their careers.
"Through the Hungerford Award, the City of Fremantle is excited to play our role in growing the arts community throughout the state.
"To this end, I want to congratulate the 90 writers who entered the competition this year and who understand that getting words on the page and meeting tangible goals like competition deadlines is meaningful work in the pursuit of a dream."
The three judges of this year's award - Natasha Lester, Rashida Murphy and Richard Rossiter - read 90 manuscripts of a variety of forms and genres, including literary fiction, young adult novels, short story collections and narrative non-fiction.
Tom (T.A.G.) Hungerford was widely admired as a quintessential West Australian writer and identity. He was proud to have this unique award for debut writers named for him and was always a great supporter of new and emerging writers.
Former winners include Gail Jones, Simone Lazaroo, Alice Nelson and Brenda Walker, with Miles Franklin winner Kim Scott identified for publication from the Hungerford shortlist.
The City of Fremantle Hungerford Award is sponsored by the City of Fremantle and Fremantle Press.
