I am stunned and grateful.

Tonight at the Aurealis Awards, I received the very great honor of the Kris Hembury Encouragement Award. I didn't know Kris — I think I may have met him briefly, or at least been in the same room, at the 2007 Aurealis Awards in Brisbane, back when I was at Clarion South — but everyone I've talked to has been united in praising his spirit, his artistic integrity, and his thirst for new things to write. I gather he wrote stories, scripts, you name it. And everyone who knew him not only liked, but admired him.

Thus I am deeply touched to have been connected with him in this way. I hope I can continue to work hard, create with integrity, and always push myself further in my writing.

Thank you, Fantastic Queensland; thank you, colleagues; and thank you, Kris.