2026 Writers SA Fellowships Recipients
We are excited to announce that the recipients of this year’s Writers SA Fellowships, in partnership with Writers SA, are Celeste Wong and Melanie Bakewell.
Applications were judged by a panel of Writers SA staff, board and a South Australian Varuna alumnus.
“This gift of time and space is invaluable, and this opportunity at Varuna is exactly that. The magic of Varuna allows the writer to take a moment from the real world in order for ideas to form and crystallise, which is especially rare in the hamster wheel of modern life. Additionally, the acknowledgement of the validity of a project reinforces the power of voice, which is especially needed in recent times. Thank you to Varuna and Writers SA for this opportunity!” - Celeste Wong
“I've known many amazing writers who have raved about their Varuna residencies, and am delighted to follow in their tracks. As a carer, this opportunity will make a huge difference to kickstart a project I haven't had dedicated time or space to breathe life into and I can't wait to get started.” - Melanie Bakewell
Congratulations to Celeste and Melanie. We look forward to welcoming them to the house.
Celeste Wong
Celeste Wong is a Chinese Malaysian Australian, proudly autistic and queer teacher who moonlights as a writer in an attempt to make sense of the chaotic reality we live in. As a first-generation migrant, ideas of belonging and culture being used as a political football form a large part of what keeps her awake at night. Celeste is currently working on a historical fiction manuscript depicting the lives of Chinese women in Australia.
Melanie Bakewell
Mel Bakewell is an emerging writer, independent audio producer and artist based on Kaurna Yarta. Her writing has been published in Kill Your Darlings, Overland and Debris, and her audio work broadcast by ABC RN, The Wheeler Centre and across Australia on the Community Radio Network. In 2026, she is the writer in residence at The Mill x CityMag, and in 2025 was supported to attend Faber Academy's Writing The Essay short course.
