News & Developments

Shear Hard Work Wins Award

26 Sep 2008


L-R: Kathy Sheat (CEO, CLL); Philip Norman (winner); Hazel Riseborough (winner); Chris Else (CLL chairman); Jenny Jones (CLL judges convenor)

An important part of New Zealand history will now be preserved in a book, thanks to this year’s winner of the CLL Writers’ Awards.

Pioneer and historian Hazel Riseborough was one of two winners to claim a $35,000 prize at a ceremony held in Westhaven, Auckland last night. Her book, Shear Hard Work, will document more than a century of shearing in New Zealand, told where possible in the words of old hands and of those engaged in the industry today. She says she is ‘blown away’ by many of the good stories that are still coming in from people involved in shearing.

Dr Riseborough was the country's first woman to complete a diploma in Wool Classing in 1953. Her first job was as a wool sorter and classer in Gore, before she gained a PhD in history and a B A (Hons) in Maori Studies. She was a senior lecturer in New Zealand history at Massey University.

Shearing has been an important occupation in New Zealand since sheep were introduced, but this will be the first comprehensive history written about the industry.

CLL Writers’ Awards judges’ convenor Jenny Jones says, “The contribution of rural New Zealand to the nation’s prosperity is hard to overestimate, yet there are few well-written and well-researched books about it. Shear Hard Work will help redress the balance and make the rural sector’s vitality and importance visible to the majority of the nation who live in towns.”

Philip Norman also received $35,000 which will enable him to complete his book From Summer School to the Olympics – the rise of New Zealand Composition 1946 – 2006. A companion volume to his award-winning biography of Douglas Lilburn, the work will chronologically chart the course of New Zealand composition from the beginnings of European Settlement through to the 21st century.

Based in Christchurch, Philip Norman is a professional composer, musician and writer. He has composed over 200 works with performances throughout New Zealand and internationally.

Jenny Jones says, “The judging panel were unanimous in giving Philip Norman the award, having every confidence that an excellent, engaging work, thoroughly researched and stylishly written, would result.”

Congratulations to both winners.

The CLL Writers’ Awards were established in 2002 and are financed from copyright licensing revenue collected by CLL on behalf of authors and publishers. They have become the most sought after awards for non-fiction in New Zealand.

CLL/NZSA Research Grants – winners

Two new prizes were announced at last night's ceremony. CLL, in association with the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) presented well known writer and film maker, Peter Wells with a grant toward a series of essays about William Colenso.

Tina Shaw, NZSA programme manager said Wells’s imaginative take on Colenso will be a rich opportunity for exploring all the missionary/founding father ambiguities of duty, enquiry and lust.

Simon Nathan won the inaugural Stout Grant toward a biography of James Hector.

“James Hector is an important and influential figure and there is a gap in our history of a good biography of him,” says Ms Shaw.

Both grants are valued at $3,500.

The CLL Writers’ Awards are held in association with NZ Book Month – a nationwide celebration of NZ books and writers through September 2008. < Back to News & Developments listing