In May 2005 the Minister for Culture and the Arts, Hon Sheila McHale, announced that local author Gail Jones was the winner of this year's Western Australian Premier's Book Awards - the prestigious $20,000 Premier's Prize - for her novel ‘Sixty Lights’.

Twenty-six books/scripts were shortlisted in seven categories from a record 134 entries. Entries were received in the following categories: Fiction, Poetry, Writing for young adults, Children’s books, Scripts, Non-fiction and – a category new for 2004 – History.

Prize-money of $7,500 is awarded to winners in each category and all category winners, and the winner of the West Australian History Award, will be eligible to win the Premier's Prize of $20,000. For further information about the 2004 Awards check the guidelines and categories.

• Winners of the 2004 Western Australian Premier's Book Awards
• 2004 Gallery
• 2004 Judges Report
• 2004 Shortlist
• 2004 Judging Panel
• Media Statement by the Minister for Culture and the Arts, Hon Sheila McHale

West Australian History Award
A new award, the West Australian History Award, was added for the 2004 Awards for a significant historical work that makes a major contribution to the understanding of Western Australia's past. This award is sponsored by the Department of Culture and the Arts and was selected by the judges from all of the entries in the 2004 Awards. The Minister for Culture and the Arts, Hon Sheila McHale released a media statement announcing the West Australian History Award.