Five nominated for Nakata Brophy young writers prize
Judges of the Nakata Brophy Prize for Young Indigenous Writers have selected five outstanding short stories to form this year’s prize shortlist.
Sponsored by Trinity College at the University of Melbourne, the prize includes $5000, an optional writing residency at Trinity College, and publication of the successful piece in Overland. The prize alternates between poetry and short fiction each year.
In 2025, first prize will be awarded to the best short story by an Indigenous writer who is 35 years or younger at the closing date of the competition. A runner-up prize may also be awarded.
Kyrah Honner, ‘Country Keeps You’
Kyrah Honner is a proud Birri Gubba and Luritja writer based in Meanjin on Yuggera and Turrbal Country. She enjoys exploration of the uncanny in her writing and loves to understand the psyche of characters and why they do what they do. Above all, Kyrah values the amplification of Indigenous voices. She has been newly minted into the world of editing and has been lucky enough to work with black&write!, UQP, and Griffith Review.
Isabella Eichler-Onus, ‘PYROPHYTE’
Isabella Eichler-Onus is a proud Gunditjmara writer living in Naarm. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Creative Writing at the University of Melbourne. She has published poetry with Red Room Poetry and Voiceworks, and has been involved in events with the Melbourne Writers Festival, YIRRAMBOI, and the Wheeler Centre. Her work explores themes of identity, cultural connection and the intricate relationship between land and body. You can find her @bellieeichler on Instagram.
Susie Anderson, ‘the claimant‘
Susie Anderson is Wergaia/Wemba Wemba writer of prose and poetry from regional Victoria. Her writing uncovers layers of place and culture and has been published as curatorial text, exhibition reviews, artist interviews, essays and poetry. Susie’s collection the body country was shortlisted for the 2023 Victorian and New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards. She is a 2025 Sydney Review of Books Emerging Critic and is currently working on her first novel.
Melissa Serrurier, ‘The Echo of Saltwater’
Melissa is an experienced educator, researcher and author with a career spanning primary, secondary and higher education. As an Indigenous curriculum specialist and trauma-informed educator, she is deeply committed to inclusive education and embedding Indigenous perspectives into teaching and learning in culturally authentic and meaningful ways. Through her research and practice, Melissa advocates for systemic change in education that honours Indigenous voices and fosters culturally responsive teaching at all levels. In her spare time, Melissa loves to write creatively with special focus on poems, short stories and childrens books.
Kimberly Lovegrove, ‘Holiday From Hell’
My name is Kimmie Lovegrove. I am a proud Ngarrindjeri woman from the lower Murray River and Coorong lakes in South Australia. I have been living in Naarm for the past 10 years. I am a Writer, Comedian, Producer and Actor. I have been involved in the Melbourne arts community for 10 years and a recent graduate from VCA with a Master of Theatre Writing and performer with Ilbijerri Ensemble in 2024 which I collaborated to create ‘Magic Tiddas’.
The results of this year’s prize will be announced on September 12.
