We are thrilled to announce that Big Sky: When the Emu Left the Earth by Bruce Pascoe and Professor Ray Norris, has been longlisted for the 2026 Mark and Evette Nib Literary Award.

Big Sky: When the Emu Left the Earth is an exquisite conversation of sky knowledge between Aboriginal farmer and award-winning writer Bruce Pascoe and astrophysicist Professor Ray Norris. This meeting of science and philosophy tempered by holistic knowledge, gained from deep observation over a millennia offers a philosophy of peace for our age and re-frames astronomy not only as a science but as ethics and Law in our heavens. This dialogue places First Nations beliefs as rigorous, enduring knowledge and shares ecological and astronomical insights that could help navigate current climate threats. From Magabala’s First Nations • First Knowledges series.

The six finalists will be announced on 8 September, with the winner of the prestigious $40,000 Nib Literary Award revealed at a gala ceremony in Bondi on 19 November.

Congratulations to Bruce Pascoe and Professor Ray Norris.