In 1979 Premier Neville Wran presented the inaugural NSW Premier's Literary Awards. These awards were the first set of premier's awards to be offered in Australia. In their 32 year history, the NSW Premier's Literary Awards have honoured many of Australia's greatest writers and most significant works. The Awards help to establish values and standards in Australian literature and draw international attention to some of the country's best writers and to the cultural environment that nurtures them. In 2009, as part of the NSW Government's commitment to increasing public engagement with the arts, the Government introduced the first People's Choice Award, the winner of which was chosen by the people of NSW. The NSW Premier's Literary Awards continue to encourage people to enjoy and learn from the work of Australian writers.