[1] It is awarded to "an original, unpublished poem not exceeding 50 lines" by an Australian citizen or resident.
In 2003, Bruce Dawe said that when he retired from teaching at the University of Southern Queensland, he wanted to show his appreciation of the opportunities he'd had while working there.
Prizes have always been an encouragement to me, on the odd occasion of receiving one, to keep on writing.
The words he left with the audience were inspirationally captivating: "We generate our own environment.
[3] He is also reported as having said that universities should encourage the practice of the arts within Australian society.