Lenora Thaker wins $30,000 Queensland premier's award for The Pearl of Tagai Town

Lenora Thaker won the $30,000 Queensland premier's award for a work of state significance for debut novel The Pearl of Tagai Town. The Meriam and Wagedagam author drew on ancestors' lives in Cairns-Malay Town. Winners were announced 8 October 2026 at Brisbane Powerhouse during Brisbane writers festival.