Awards and Recognition

Highly Commended: ACT Book of the Year for The Kindness of Birds, 2022

Finalist/Shortlist: University of Southern Queensland Steele Rudd Award for a Short Story Collection for The Kindness of Birds, 2022

Finalist/Shortlist: ACT Notable Award for The Kindness of Birds, 2022

Finalist/Shortlist: Christina Stead Prize for Fiction, New South Wales Premier’s Literary Award for The Kindness of Birds, 2022

Canberra Critics’ Circle Award for The Kindness of Birds, 2021

Highly Commended, ACT Book of the Year for Accidents of Composition, 2018

Christina Stead Prize for Fiction, New South Wales Premier’s Literary Award for Locust Girl. A Lovesong, 2016

Juan C. Laya Philippine National Book Award (Best Novel in English) from the National Book Development Board and Manila Critics Circle for Locust Girl. A Lovesong, 2016

Finalist/Shortlist: ACT Book of the Year for Locust Girl. A Lovesong, 2016

Carlos Palanca Memorial Award in Literature (Philippine national award), Second Prize for ‘Accidents of Composition’ (Poems in English), 2016

Juan C. Laya Philippine National Book Award for Fish-Hair Woman, 2014

Most Underrated Book Award for Fish-Hair Woman, from the Small Press Network, Australia, 2013

Finalist: Australian Classical Music Award (Best Vocal/Choral Work of the Year) for Daragang Magayon Cantata (a collaborative opera with Bobis’ poetry and Bruce Crossman’s music), 2007

Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas (National Balagtas Award: a lifetime award for author’s poetry and prose in English, Filipino, Bikol) from the Unyon ng Manunulat ng Pilipinas (Union of Philippine Writers), 2006

Gintong Aklat Award (Golden Book Award: Philippine publishers’ award) for Banana Heart Summer (novel), 2006

Shortlist: Australian Literature Society Gold Medal for Banana Heart Summer, 2006

Nomination: Best in Foreign Language in Fiction from the Manila Critics’ Circle for Banana Heart Summer, 2006

Judges’ Choice Award, Bumbershoot Bookfair, Seattle Arts Festival for The Kissing (collection of short stories published as White Turtle in Australia and the Philippines), 2001

Arts Queensland Steele Rudd Australian Short Story Award (For the Best Published Collection of Australian Short Stories. Joint winner) for White Turtle, 2000

Philippine National Book Award for Fiction (Joint winner) from the Manila Critics’ Circle for White Turtle, 2000

NSW Ministry for the Arts Writers’ Fellowship for novel in progress, Fish-Hair Woman, 2000

Canberra Writing Fellowship jointly from the Australian National University, the University of Canberra, and the Australian Defence Force Academy, 2000

Shortlist: The Age Poetry Book of the Year Award for Summer Was A Fast Train Without Terminals (collection of poems), 1999

Prix Italia (international award) for Rita’s Lullaby (radio play), 1998

Australian Writers’ Guild Award (AWGIE) for Rita’s Lullaby, 1998

Pamana Philippine Presidential Award for achievement in the arts (for Filipino expatriates), 1998

Winner, Out of the Ashes Trans-Tasman Short Story Competition for White Turtle (short story), 1998

Commended: National Short Story Competition, Society of Women Writers for The Sadness Collector (short story), 1998

Joint winner, ABC Radio National’s ‘Books & Writing Short Story Competition’ for The Tongue (also known as The Parable of Illawarra Street), 1997

Ian Reed Foundation Prize for Radio Drama for Rita’s Lullaby, 1995

Carlos Palanca Memorial Award in Literature. Honourable Mention for Ms. Serena Serenata (one-act play), 1995

Gawad Cultural Centre of the Philippines (National award for Poetry in Filipino) for Mula Dulo Hanggang Kanto (‘From End to Corner’, collection of poems), 1990

Likhaan Award for Daragang Magayon and other poems, University of the Philippines Writers’ Workshop, 1990

Carlos Palanca Memorial Award in Literature, Second Prize for Lupang di Hinirang: Kuwento at Sikreto (‘Land Not Dearest: Story and Secret’, collection of poems in Filipino), 1989

Carlos Palanca Memorial Award in Literature, Joint winner, First Prize for Peopleness (collection of poems in English), 1987