Magabala Books and Pride Foundation Australia (PFA) are thrilled to announce the recipients of the inaugural Magabala Pride Fellowship. 

The Pride Fellowship celebrates and supports the voices of LGBTQIASB+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers, recognising the power of story to hold identity, culture and truth. The Fellowship provides $10,000 to support a writer or storyteller to dedicate time to developing or completing a manuscript. 

The winner of the 2026 Magabala Pride Fellowship is Kamilaroi writer and editor Darby Jones, for his collection of essays ‘Country Boy’. 

On receiving the award Darby said, “’Country Boy’ is so much bigger than me. It’s a portrait of a rural family and the Kamilaroi Country that made them. 

 

“The Pride Fellowship has breathed life into my project. It will enable me to return home to conduct research and undertake a period of cultural consultation with my Elders. 

 

To have my work acknowledged by the panel, Magabala Books and Pride Foundation Australia is deeply affirming. Thank you for supporting this imminent adventure.”

Magabala Books and Pride Foundation Australia also congratulates the two highly commended applicants: Yuad Noongar woman Julianna Marie and Wakka Wakka man Sonny Dallas Law, who will each receive $5,000, and the honourable mention recipient Birrbay-Dunghutti woman Emily Thornton, who receives $2,000, to pursue their individual projects. 

Magabala Editor Arlie Alizzi said:

“The inaugural Magabala Pride Fellowship received an overwhelming number of beautiful submissions, of which we take as a positive sign that passion, creativity, fire and confidence of our queer mob is alive.” 

Ngaire Pigram (balu/they/them), a proud queer, blak storyteller and Magabala’s Project Officer said: 

“The deep privilege and joy I felt reading each submission for this initiative has been a highlight of my time at Magabala – I truly feel blessed to be part of this important initiative and look forward to following the development of each storytellers’ journey ahead.” 

Magabala CEO Lilly Brown said:

“Magabala is honoured to be partnering with Pride Foundation Australia. It is so important that stories exist to both affirm and reflect the brilliant diversity of First Nations communities and experiences. We hope that the inaugural Pride Fellowship sends a message to Blak LGBTQIASB+ folk that your stories are valued and have a right to be in the world.” 

Ruth McNair, Chairperson of the Pride Foundation Australia, and Mollie Hewitt, member of the PFA Arts and Culture Committee said:  

“Pride Foundation Australia is thrilled to partner with Magabala Books to deliver the inaugural Pride Fellowship for LGBTQIASB+ First Nations writers. Our partnerships with outstanding Australian organisations such as Magabala Books ensure we can respond together to the opportunities and aspirations of our community and create a platform for more queer First Nations voices to be heard across Australia. This Fellowship offers something truly special: the time and freedom for writers to develop their work without the pressure of a predetermined outcome. This kind of investment in creative practice is essential and all too rare. We are especially proud to expand the Fellowship this year with two additional Highly Commended awards and an Honourable Mention, enabling four writers to develop their work. We look forward to seeing more queer First Nations stories reaching bookshelves across Australia and around the world.” 

Magabala is proud to confirm that the Magabala Pride Fellowship will continue in 2027, thanks to the generous support and partnership of Pride Foundation Australia. 

Meet the Recipients 

Fellowship Winner & recipient of $10,000 - Darby Jones (he/him), Kamilaroi  

Darby Jones is a Blak writer with Kamilaroi belonging. He is an alumnus of the black&write! Indigenous Writing and Editing Program and the Open Book Internship. He currently works as an Editorial Assistant at Griffith Review. 

Highly Commended & recipient of $5,000 - Julianna Marie (she/her), Yuad Noongar 

“My Story (Guns, knives, secrets and spies - GKSS for short, if you prefer) came into my life when I was in my darkest time. Only recently have I felt ready to explore this story more and I’m so thankful to Magabala and the Pride Foundation Australia for supporting my work with the Highly Commended Award.” 

Julianna Marie is a Yuad Noongar bi-woman currently working as a creative. Saving writing for her free time, she builds worlds that explore cultural history, identity and community connections in unusual situations and places. Having appeared in works such as “Aliwah Bardinar!”and “Wundig wer Wilura” she’s ecstatic to share more of what her creativity holds beyond performance. Working on a trilogy piece and a stand-alone novella cannot be completed without the support of family, mob and friends, of whom she is very grateful for. Nganyang koort djerap (my heart is happy). 

Highly Commended & recipient of $5,000 - Sonny Dallas Law (he/him) Wakka Wakka

“When I received the phone call from Magabala saying my work was highly Commended and I will receive a reward for it, I said something like, 'Thank you this will help me advance my writing'. I looked back at that, and I didn’t really know what I was saying. But what I do know receiving this acknowledgment, is that this has become a new chapter personally in a new creative space where I am able to share to people how I see and feel the world as a modern Aboriginal Gay Man.” 

Sonny Dallas Law is a proud Wakka Wakka man from Southeast Queensland residing on Butchulla Country. With over 15 years of experience in cultural engagement roles, creative producing, and community advocacy. Deeply rooted in both grassroots community development and major national arts institutions, Sonny has dedicated his career to amplifying First Nations culture, uplifting community spirit and voices across Australia.  

Honourable Mention & recipient of $2,000 - Emily Thornton (she/her) Birrbay-Dunghutti

“I am incredibly honoured to receive an Honourable Mention in the inaugural Magabala Pride Fellowship. As a Queer Birrbay-Dunghutti writer, this recognition means a great deal to me, both personally and creatively. It is deeply affirming to have my work recognised by Magabala, particularly as my writing seeks to explore identity, culture, memory, and belonging. This support encourages me to continue telling stories that celebrate and strengthen our bright, bold and Blak LGBTQIA+ communities, and I am excited to further develop this work.” 

Emily Thornton, is a Birrbay-Dunghutti writer, musicologist, and flutist whose creative practice centres on storytelling as a form of cultural continuity, reclamation, and connection. Working across fiction and critical writing, Emily explores the intersections of memory, language, and how narrative can hold both personal and collective histories. Her work in arts journalism informs her creative practice, grounding it in close listening, research, and a commitment to amplifying diverse voices.