2025 E.M. Fletcher Award Winners

2025 E.M. Fletcher Writing Competition Short-list and Winners Announced

The winner of the 2025 E.M. Fletcher Award was announced at a special event on Saturday 11 October.

Congratulations to Isabella Crean, winner of the 2025 E.M. Fletcher Writing Award. Isabella takes home a prize of $1,000 for her story One Pot Family History, a compelling story that interweaves a family history of migration with a step-by-step recipe, inviting the reader in with subtle humour and sensory details. In conferring the award judges Dr Rachael Weaver, Susan O’Leary and Chris Oyston said, ‘It beautifully captures the rich complexity of family history through the lens of migration and cultural fusion, celebrating the resilience and creativity of generations who adapt to new contexts while continuing to honour their roots.’ Congratulations Isabella.

The second prize of $500 was awarded to Rebecca Hodges for her story The Rain at Marabe Ridge, inspired by the author’s opportunity to work in Papua New Guinea which sparked a personal journey – connecting family history, culture and shared ancestry. The judges said, ‘The strength of The Rain at Marabe Ridge lies in the highly emotional feelings of love, fear, and death encountered while revisiting the village and the characters and traditions behind the memories. Congratulations Rebecca.

Four highly commended awards were given to June Hopkins (Our Spy), Louise Millar-Hoffmann (Euge will Fix it), Babi Poudel (Born into Bones) and Lynn Sunderland (London George).

The Rosemary McKenzie Award for the story judged as the best entry by a Family History ACT member was given to Margaret Clough for her story If This Gets Out, the story of a young woman trapped in a world of high expectations imposed by herself and perceived of others. The judges said ‘With vivid narrative and candid dialogue, the writer draws the reader into the desperation felt by the main character as she increasingly sees her medical past haunt her future.’

All short-listed entries and the winner of the E.M. Fletcher Award and Rosemary McKenzie Award will be published in the December 2025 edition of The Ancestral Searcher. Copies of the journal can be pre-ordered at a cost of $5.00 plus postage or alternatively collected from the FHACT Library. Pre-order your copy today through the FHACT online bookstore.

2025 E.M. Fletcher Award Short-List

One Pot Family History – Isabella Crean

The Rain at Marabe Ridge – Rebecca Hodges

Our Spy – June Hopkins

Euge will Fix it – Louise Millar-Hoffmann

Born into Bones – Babi Poudel

London George – Lynn Sunderland

Sue O’Leary, Chris Oyston, Jo Callaghan and Rosemary McKenzie Award winner Margaret Clough