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About the Furphy Literary Award

Everyone can write at least one good story. That was the belief of J. F. Archibald, the editor and founder of the famous nineteenth-century weekly, The Bulletin, who invited his readers to become contributors. It was this encouragement that led Joseph Furphy, working in his brother’s foundry at Shepparton, to write his novel, Such is Life, using the pseudonym of ‘Tom Collins’. The book, full of stories derived from Joseph’s experience in the Riverina and told in a voice uniquely his own, is now acknowledged to be a classic of Australian literature.

In the spirit of Archibald and honouring the author of Such is Life, the Furphy Literary Award has been established to promote and extend the tradition of story telling, both factual and fictional, that is so much part of Australian life.

The Furphy Literary Award will invites entries of previously unpublished short stories of up to 5000 words for a first prize of $15,000, 2nd prize of $3,000 and 3rd prize of $2,000 in the open category. A junior and youth category with a prize pool of $1,800 will seek entries for short stories and poetry. In addition to the monetary prizes it is intended that selected works in the open category will be included in an anthology to be published annually and that the winner of the open category will also be invited to participate in a residency program in Shepparton.

The Furphy Literary Award includes award winning judges, generous prizes and most importantly the platform and opportunity for all writers to use their talents to compete at the highest standard.

The Furphy Literary Award, both national & regional is made possible from the generous support and contribution provided by the sponsors and to the many people that have contributed to the Joseph Furphy Literary Awards since 1992.

Please click on the relevant button below for details, conditions of entry and more!

About Joseph Furphy

Joseph Furphy, pseudonym Tom Collins, (born Sept. 26, 1843, Yering, near Yarra Glen, Victoria), Australian author whose novels combine an acute sense of local Australian life and colour with the eclectic philosophy and literary ideas of a self-taught workingman.

After marrying at 24 and suffering a series of droughts in Corop Northern Victoria, Joseph eventually established himself as a bullock driver based in Hay NSW. Alas after 5 years of this occupation drought and disease wiped out his bullock team and he subsequently returned to Shepparton where his brother offered him work in the foundry.

During this time Joseph toiled by night at his novel Such Is Life – most of which he wrote in his cottage behind the foundry in Welsford St. Such is Life was a collection of stories which reflected his time in the Riverina as a bullock driver. It originally appeared in the Bulletin in 1903 and has since been recognised as a significant piece of Australian Literature. Joseph moved to Fremantle in 1904 to be nearer his three children and died there in 1912. For more information about Joseph Furphy visit www.josephfurphy.com.au

FURPHY – the war and the word

During the First World War Australian soldiers congregated at the back of Furphy-branded water carts manufactured by Joseph’s brother John. At training camps and on battlefields, they spread speculative (and increasingly wild) rumours and stories of what was happening and what was about to happen. These often ingenious fabrications became known as “Furphies” and the word entered our national vernacular.

Furphy Literary Award Advisory Board

Sam & Adam Furphy

Sam & Adam Furphy are the great, great grandsons of John Furphy, the Furphy company founder and the great, great, great nephews of Joseph Furphy. Sam & Adam are both 5th generation managers of the current day Furphy businesses. Sam is the Managing Director of Furphy Foundry & Adam is the Managing Director of J. Furphy & Sons.

Laura Baker

Head Of Campus, Shepparton, LaTrobe University

Baker commenced as Head of Campus, Shepparton in early 2026. She brings more than a decade of leadership experience spanning across education, corporate and local government sectors. Most recently, she served as Executive Director, Student Experience at GOTAFE, working in Shepparton and across the broader region.

Laura is passionate about the role education plays in strengthening regional communities and enhancing local social and economic outcomes. Her work focuses on strategic engagement that connects education, industry and community to expand participation and deliver outcomes that reflect regional priorities.

Sallyanne Boyle

CEO of the Goulburn Valley Regional Library Corporation

Renee Austin

Manager Community Wellbeing at Greater Shepparton City Council

Renee has worked in a variety of roles in local government including emergency management, multicultural development and community strengthening and has recently taken on the role of Manager of Community Wellbeing with Greater Shepparton City Council. Community Wellbeing encompasses a wide-range of portfolios including community development, community safety, social equity, healthy communities, diversity and inclusion. Renee is passionate about supporting positive community-led outcomes, increasing intersectional approaches to the development of programs and policy and encouraging young people to follow their passion.

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The Furphy Anthology 2025!

This hardcover anthology includes 15 of the best short stories selected from the 2025 Furphy Literary Award.

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