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History
This prize, awarded for the winner of the Great Australian Novel Competition, was sponsored by C. J. De Garis Publishing House, 274 Collins Street, Melbourne. The competition was launched in 1919 and the prize awarded in 1920. The DeGaris Prize was not repeated.
The prize of £500 was donated by patron to Australian literature, C.J. De Garis. Mr. DeGaris offered the prize to the novelists of Australia to 'produce a great Australian novel, and he undertook to publish the successful book and fittingly introduce it to the public of the Commonwealth and the world. The only conditions set upon the authors were that they must be native-born and their stories must be - Australian in sentiment and atmosphere.' (Call, 31 December 1920 : p2)
Latest Winners / Recipients
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Year: 1920
winner y
The Ashes of Achievement
1920
single work
novel
E. Morris Miller's Australian Literature From Its Beginnings to 1935 (1940): 746 describes the work as a 'Romance of a Riverina boy who becomes a successful Australian actor and playwright. Action moves between Melbourne and Sydney, with a break in New York. Several prominent Australian artists are easily recognized under their fictitious names. The early chapters contain a vivid account of the Melbourne Public Schools boat race at the time when Wesley College crews were at their zenith. An interesting portraiture is given of Sugden, the Master of Queen's, under the character of 'Savile'.
Works About this Award
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News and Notes 1921 single work column
— Appears in: The Bookfellow , 15 February vol. 6 no. 1 1921; (p. 5) Mentions Ada Holman, and another entrant in the De Garis competition, Wolla Miranda [sic, and her entry 'In Mulga Town'. -
The Ashes of Achievement 1921 single work review
— Appears in: Aussie , 15 January vol. 2 no. 23 1921; (p. 42)
— Review of The Ashes of Achievement 1920 single work novel -
The Prize Novel That Isn't 1921 single work review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 3 February vol. 42 no. 2138 1921; (p. 25)
