ASA Medal 2021 to Bruce Pascoe

The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) has announced Bruce Pascoe is the recipient of the 2021 ASA Medal.

Author of the bestselling Dark Emu (Magabala), Pascoe has written over 30 books, and is an editor, publisher, anthologist, researcher and educator. Bruce’s literary output ranges from short stories to essays, reviews, textbooks, children’s fiction, adult fiction, anthropology, indigenous language and history. Much of his work has shone a spotlight on the history of our First Nations people, sparked dialogue, widely engaged Australians on a re-consideration of Aboriginal agriculture, and challenged colonial assumptions.

Accepting the award, Pascoe had a message for writers:

‘I know that there’s anguish among writers considering writing about Aboriginal history. If you want to do this, Aboriginal people need to be known to you. The imprint of your lips needs to be on their cup, and theirs on yours. Your fingerprints must be on their table, and theirs on yours. That’s the condition.’

He also raised the issue of funding cuts to the ABC, stating that ‘if we don’t leave our front door and get on the streets for the sake of the ABC we have the potential to lose that institution and we are going to regret it’.

Pascoe said he deeply appreciated ‘the honour it is to receive this medal from the Australian Society of Authors.

It means a lot to me. I thank writers and I thank artists, because we are burdened with the responsibility of making sure our story is told, and that it is told correctly, for the sake of our grandchildren, our great grandchildren, and this great country, with its 120,000 years of history.’

The ASA said Pascoe’s contribution was vital ‘in this age of truth-telling’. The Society deeply admires his literary works, as well as his commitment to mentoring and fostering emerging writers throughout his career.

Established in 2003, the ASA Medal is awarded biennially to an Australian author or illustrator ‘who has made an outstanding contribution to Australian culture, both as a creator and an advocate’. Pascoe will be officially celebrated as the recipient of the Award at the ASA’s annual Colin Simpson Memorial Lecture in early 2022.

About the medal: Each medal is handcrafted in sterling silver by Yuwaalaraay-Gamilaraay artist Melissa Stannard. The design was inspired by the estuarine mangrove river systems, where fresh and saltwater meet, merge and blend. These mangrove systems provide a haven of safety, serenity as well as a healing nurturing habitat for fingerlings and the next generation of other new life. The design references the supportive and uplifting work and inspirational contributions of medal recipients. We thank Melissa Stannard for her beautiful design.

Past recipients of the ASA Medal include Thomas Keneally (2019), Edel Wignell (2017), Valerie Parv AM (2014), Nadia Wheatley (2014), Robert Pullan (2012), Hazel Edwards (2009), Glenda Adams (2007), Inga Clendinnen (2005), Tim Winton (2003) and Anita Heiss (2003).