Red Dirt Blue Lights – 2025 Finalist
For the Courier Mail People’s Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award.
Judges’ comments:
Set in 1970s rural Queensland around the Indigenous community of Cherbourg, a young and inexperienced policewoman juggles her responsibilities with her sensitivities towards the harsh realities of discrimination, racism and authoritarianism. Well researched and drawing on the real-life experiences of the author, this novella received close scrutiny and approbation by Aboriginal Elder Uncle Eric Law AM.
Red Dirt Blue Lights – An Historical Fiction by Tess Merlin was launched at Avid Reader on 24th May 2025 with a moving conversation between Tess, Uncle Eric Law AM and Poppy Gee. Tears, laughter, curiosity and respect contributed to a memorable afternoon. Thank you to everyone who came and offered support.
