The winners of the 2026 Queenland Literary Awards were announced on October 8 2026, and everyone at Text is thrilled for Lenora and this well-deserved recognition of her work.
The Pearl of Tagai Town is a heart-warming and ultimately triumphant story of the life of a young Torres Strait Islander woman from Tagai Town, a shantytown on the northeastern coast of Australia, in the decades before, during and after World War II.
Of Thaker's novel, the judges said:
'The Pearl of Tagai Town is unambiguously and distinctively Queensland. Its vivid sense of place makes the work both accessible and deeply enjoyable. Lenora Thaker’s tale of love, family and friendship is confident and assured. Themes of identity, belonging and self-determination reflect research, respect and care. Warm, richly drawn characters and an innovative integration of Ailan languages come together in a rich, cohesive whole, bringing new insight and fresh imaginative life to a Far North Queensland community. The Pearl of Tagai Town is a stunning debut novel.'
Congratulations to Lenora!
You can view the full list of winners and judges' comments on the Queensland Literary Awards website.
