Thaker Takes Queensland's $30,000 Prize for Debut Novel

Lenora Thaker won the $30,000 Queensland Premier's Award for a Work of State Significance for her debut novel, The Pearl of Tagai Town. The Meriam and Wagedagam author based the story on her ancestors' lives in Cairns-Malay Town. Winners were announced 8 October 2026 at Brisbane Powerhouse during the Brisbane Writers Festival.