The Furphy Literary Award, which originated in the Goulburn Valley over thirty years ago, went national in 2020. It has won a terrific reputation. Heavily supported from the outset, it quickly turned into one of the most significant short story awards in the country, attracting 650-850 entries each year. This year the organisers received 788 stories.
In assessing these stories, judges have no idea who the author is.
Over those five years, a number of Footy Almanac contributors have made a long list.
Last year, Damian ‘Dips’ O’Donnell’s story reached the final list of thirty entries and very nearly made it into the Anthology of sixteen.
Once the final judging has taken place, and names can be revealed, I’m always intrigued to see who the authors are. Some are well-known writers. Some are emerging writers – as a Google search soon demonstrates. For others, it’s their first crack at writing.
I am thrilled to announce that the short list for The Furphy Literary Award 2025 includes two Footy Almanac contributors. Dips O’Donnell has gone one step further this year. And he is joined by Emma Westwood who, along with her partner, Stone Cold Steve Baker have been contributors and editors at www.footyalmanac.com.au. All three have been tremendous community members.
This gives us all at The Footy Almanac a real buzz.
Dips and Emma are in the running for the three cash prizes – $15,000 to the winner, $3000 for second, and $2000 for third. The winners will be announced at a function at SAM in Shepparton on Saturday, July 26.
The sixteen short-listed stories will be published in The Furphy Anthology 2025 which will be launched in Melbourne in late November.
The Almanac offers people a platform on which to publish. Many of the writers it attracts may not have that opportunity otherwise. We publish what is submitted. We are open to all. We are independent. We are encouraging and supportive.
We have a fantastic audience – that’s you, dear reader.
Writers who choose The Almanac soon learn they will be reaching what I like to call Capital R Readers. The hundreds of thousands of responses to the 27,000+ pieces we’ve posted since 2009 show very clearly that we have an attentive, thoughtful, interested and interesting audience. So do the emails and phone calls I receive.
I am personally thrilled for Dips and Emma and wish them all the best on the night. (I’ll post an invitation to the event on the Almanac site in the coming days.)
Hearty congratulations.
**.
This is great news. But, the big concern I have at the moment is to find a way of sustaining the Almanac concept financially, because, I’m sorry to report, the cupboard is very close to bare. It’s getting urgent.
If you would like to help sustain the Almanac, by becoming a member, or by setting up a regular monthly subscription donation, or even sending a one-off contribution, please contact me [email protected]
Read more posts about The Furphy Literary Award HERE
About John Harms
JTH is a writer, publisher, speaker, historian. He is founder and contributing editor of The Footy Almanac and footyalmanac.com.au. He has written columns and features for numerous publications. His books include Confessions of a Thirteenth Man, Memoirs of a Mug Punter, Loose Men Everywhere, Play On, The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story and Life As I Know It (with Michelle Payne). He can be contacted [email protected] He is married to Susan. They have three school-age kids - Theo, Anna, Evie. He might not be the worst putter in the world but he's in the worst four. His ambition was to lunch for Australia but it clashed with his other ambition - to shoot his age.
Wowee, and big congrats to Dips and Emma! Also, not surprised.
Dips FA pieces always bring you in, I reckon his innate curiosity (with people, places, ideas) and big heart put the reader at ease and we ride the slipstream of his adventures, real and imagined. It doesn’t hurt that he has more than one or two ripper turn of phrases up his sleeve.
I have followed Emma’s work more so on FB where she is regularly introducing us to another v alternative film or giving us a peep into some arcane project she is developing, leading and getting out there. Fascinating stuff always.
And to Footy Almanac, who, as John notes, has created a community of writers and readers, for over 15 years.
I raise my glass to Dips, Emma and the Footy Almanac.
Onyas
Absolutely rapt for Emma and Dips.
To reach this stage is massive!!
Congrats to both!
Well played Emma and Dips.
Wonderful news.
Congratulations Dips and congratulations Emma.
I’ve loved your words for a long time now. Very glad that others are enjoying them, too.
Play on!
Cheers to you, John. And to Rick. And to Dips.
I’m feeling extraordinarily honoured to have made it into the final 16 and the Furphy Anthology for 2025. Have been hankering to get back into fictional writing for awhile now, and didn’t know whether I had the brain for it anymore. This is the kick up the bum I needed.
In fact, being involved with the Footy Almanac has regularly given me the momentum I’ve needed to tackle new challenges. It’s a very special community. Treasured. Important.
Hope to see some Almanackers at the Furphy Awards event in Shep!
PS. My browser hadn’t refreshed by the time my comment posted. So cheers to Smokie, Swish and E.regnans as well ?
Many thanks to everyone. Love the comments here. And appreciate the congratulations to JTH!
I’m actually rather blown away by the whole thing. Looking forward to the night in Shepparton. Whatever happens we should have a marvellous evening.
BUT – very sad to hear that the Almanac is in need of life support. Its been one of the great things I’ve ever been involved in. The opportunity to write things and get them out to a great readership, and the opportunity to meet some wonderful people. Many of whom I am very happy to say have become very good and dear friends. Not to mention the outstanding lunches that often end in raucous laughter and great banter.
If you’re not a member, MEMBER UP today. The Alamanac MUST live on.
Wonderful work Dips and Emma!
Congratulations!
Congratulations Dips and Emma, fingers crossed for the big one!
Sensational!!!
Congratulations, you two. Not surprising, really. I’ve obviously read them without knowing who the authors were. What are the titles of their stories, JTH?
Most unusual for anyone to be looking forward to a night in Shepparton, Dips.
Cheers ajc.
Mine was called The Haunted House.
Yes I’m looking forward to Shepparton. I use Cann River as my reference point.
Mmmm, Dips
Sorry to have to point this out, but your story is actually called ‘The Grim Gripper’. (According to official records)
JTH
Yes that’s correct.
Hope there’s a great amount of fun to be had.
Dips can you top-Kym Hodgemans infamous-Magarey Medal winning speech
I’d like to thank my parents especially my mum and dad ! Seriously congrats-Dips and Emma
Get a grip, Dips. I remember the story well. Right out there. Loved it.
Mine’s called The undying love of Specimen A398.
(I had to look it up because I keep on forgetting the number combo—not a numbers girl)
Emma, you are a ghoulish woman with an unsettling knowledge of deliquescence. Good story. Well done.
You’re not the first person to say that, Anson. Although not many use the word ‘deliquescence’