Jennifer Kornberger from Fremantle has made history by becoming the first poet from Western Australia to win the ACU Prize for Poetry, one of Australia's most prestigious awards for a single poem. Kornberger's poem, 'In the Back of the Ambulance,' secured the first prize of $10,000 in the national competition organized by the Australian Catholic University (ACU), which has been running since 2013.
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Her poem, which addresses the theme 'Witness,' was selected from 677 entries and reflects Kornberger's personal experience with a sudden health crisis while traveling in Austria. "I woke one morning to find that I was completely incapacitated," she recounted, describing intense vertigo that left her feeling as though she was falling into an abyss.
In her poem, she shares her interactions with a young paramedic who opted for civilian service instead of mandatory military duty. Despite the language barrier and her condition, Kornberger found the ambulance ride to be a profound exchange. "On the drive to the hospital, we became a gift for each other," she noted, highlighting the unique connection formed during a challenging moment.
The judges, Emeritus Professor Margot Hillel OAM and Professor Robert H. F. Carver, praised the humanity and lyricism in Kornberger's work. They emphasized how her poem encapsulates the universal theme of meaningful connections formed in emergencies.
Kornberger, who has been shortlisted for various poetry awards including this year's WA Premier's Book Awards and multiple entries for the Newcastle Poetry Prize, began writing poetry at the age of nine. She sees poetry as a crucial element of human expression, particularly in an age influenced by artificial intelligence. "Poetry taught me that the heart could think very clearly," she stated.
In addition to her writing, she actively merges prose with performance art, believing that poetry should be presented in dynamic ways to reach wider audiences. Kornberger commented on the importance of competitions like the ACU Prize for Poetry, calling them vital for fostering excellence among poets at all stages of their careers.
The ACU's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Catholic Mission), Fr. Gerry Gleeson, noted that this year's entries approached a record high, indicating a thriving interest in Australian poetry. Other winners included Mary Wickham from Melbourne, who won second prize worth $5,000 for her poem 'Angel,' and Linda McQuarrie-Bowerman from New South Wales, who received the third prize of $3,000 for 'Looking Upward.' Five poets were also recognized with Highly Commended awards, each receiving $750. The anthology featuring the works of 88 shortlisted poets, titled *Witness: Poems from the 2026 ACU Prize for Poetry*, will be available on the ACU Prize for Poetry website.