MEDIA
RELEASE
University
Communications
View RMIT media
releases and
find experts:
rmit.edu.au/newsroom
MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMANS BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
Miles Franklin winner receives honorary doctorate
Miles Franklin winner, former RMIT University student and Eltham resident, Alexis
Wright, will receive an honorary doctorate at RMIT’s Graduation Ceremony tonight
at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.
Ms Wright, who studied professional and creative writing at RMIT, will also be
making a keynote speech at the ceremony.
She is an activist for Aboriginal land rights and an award-winning author. In 2007
she had an exceptional year with her second novel Carpentaria, winning the Miles
Franklin Award – Australia’s most prestigious literary prize, the Australian Book
Industry Award for Literary Fiction and a Victorian Premier’s Literary Award.
Ms Wright says the world that she created in Carpentaria is so far removed from
the realm of experience of non-indigenous Australians that it can seem strange and
almost unbelievable.
Carpentaria is told from the voice of an Aboriginal elder in the fictitious town of
Desperence. It explores the lives of the Picklebush people and their battles with
another mob, white officials and a neighbouring mine.
Ms Wright is a member of the Waanyi nation of the southern highlands of the Gulf
of Carpentaria. Carpentaria is an epic set in The Gulf country of north-western
Queensland, from where her people come.
One of Australia’s finest Aboriginal writers, Ms Wright has published award-winning
short stories. Her books include Grog War, Plains of Promise and Take Power.
She has also worked extensively in government departments and Aboriginal
agencies across four states and territories as a professional manager, educator,
researcher and writer. Her involvement in many Aboriginal organisations and
campaigns has included work on mining, publications, fundraising and land rights
both in Australia and overseas.
Ms Wright is in demand at writers' festivals and conferences, appearing in London,
Paris, Barcelona and New York City.
The RMIT Graduation Ceremony takes place from 7.30pm at Etihad Stadium,
Melbourne Docklands, with 5,600 students graduating and more than 28,000
people attending the spectacular event.
For interviews or comment: Alexis Wright, 0408 724 397.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Communications, Deborah
Sippitts, (03) 9925 3116 or 0429 588 869.
16 December, 2009
NEWS 
