The Australia Council for the Arts have announced Christopher Koch and Gerald Murnane as recipients of its 2008 emeritus writers awards.
Dr Imre Salusinszky, chair of the Australia Council's literature board, said that the two awards recognised the calibre of the works created by the authors. 'There can be few more fitting recipients of these writers emeritus awards. Both have a level of public recognition that does not match their high literary stature,' he said. 'Christopher and Gerald have changed the face of Australian writing through the breadth of their respective imaginations. Each of their works are characterised by a uniquely Australian perspective on the world.'
