Patricia Cornelius

Judges' Comments 

Senior judge Kim Williams AM, co-chair of the State Library of NSW Foundation, said: “Following 2016’s inaugural award to Joanna Murray Smith, the judges are pleased to shine a spotlight on another fine playwright - Patricia Cornelius."

"Patricia is not as widely recognised as her canon of work deserves,” said Mr Williams. “Her work is distinctive, highly original, courageous, often confronting and always rewarding. Patricia Cornelius embodies the very spirit of Mona Brand herself. “We are delighted to see 
Patricia's creativity in a consistent and substantial body of work properly recognised with the 2018 Mona Brand Award.” 

Patricia Cornelius is a founding member of Melbourne Workers Theatre. She’s a playwright, novelist and film writer. Patricia has a fierce commitment to class and her work often examines the lives of the marginalized. Her work also includes dramaturgy and mentorship with young or new playwrights. Cornelius is a recipient of numerous awards. She is the recent recipient of the Windham-Campbell Literature Prize and Australia’s Mona Brand Award. And the 2019 Green Room award for Life Achievement. She has written over 35 plays including: Shit, Big Heart, Savages, Do not go gentle…, Slut, Love and The Call. Patricia co-wrote the feature film adaptation Blessed, based on the play Who’s Afraid of the Working Class? She is currently developing a feature film, Stolen, with director and co-writer, Catriona McKenzie. 

Patricia’s novel, My Sister Jill (Random House) was published in 2002.