The winners of the 2022 Furphy Literary Award have been announced. Acclaimed writer and poet Cate Kennedy won first place for her short story ‘Art and Life’.

The Furphy Literary Award celebrates and recognises the best Australian short stories. The award honours Joseph Furphy, the author of a number of works written under the pen name Tom Collins.

Kennedy took home a $15 000 cash prize, a residency at La Trobe University and publication in The Furphy Anthology 2022.

She said of writing short stories: ‘Short stories are the form I find myself returning to again and again. Learning how to compress and distil my ideas, and seeing ways to take the reader on a journey. Reflecting on how the form brings out our instinctive storytelling powers to make each other laugh, cry and think.’

Lisa Moule received second place for her story ‘The Game’, and Natalie Vella took third place for her story ‘Winter is for Regret’.

The judging panel selected winners from over 600 entries. The judges included Anson Cameron, Tara June Winch, Margaret Hickey, John Harms, Thornton McCamish and John Kerr.

Judges said of the winning story, ‘Cate’s ‘Art and Life’ had us smiling and nodding from the beginning. It’s so funny and insightful, so light of touch. We felt like we knew parents like that, and we knew pressured students like that. And the response of the young classical musician is brilliant. The story is totally engaging and entertaining. It invites us to ask ourselves questions.’