Theresa M Matheson

Applications close on 16 August 2026

The Theresa Matheson Bequest Award, with a prize of $1,000 for the successful poet, has been established to honour the memory of Theresa Matheson (1972-2022) by her sister, Julie. Theresa was herself a prolific poet, but had not published a poem in her lifetime. This will be an annual award administrated by the national poetry body,  Australian Poetry.

Australian Poetry is excited to be offering this unique award; it’s a privilege to be part of honouring Theresa Matheson’s legacy in this way, by directly acknowledging the work towards establishing our place as poets. We’re so pleased to be able to support an unpublished poet with the very real steps of their first publication, and mentorship;  this is where possibility turns into a beginning!
 – Melinda Bufton, Australian Poetry CEO & Publisher 

Go to this link to enter: https://apsubs.wufoo.com/forms/submit-to-the-theresa-matheson-bequest-award-2026/