Winner, independent taking a state (8)
I believe the answer is:
victoria
'state' is the definition.
(I know that Victoria is a Australian state)
'winner independent taking a' is the wordplay.
'winner' becomes 'victor' (synonyms).
'independent' becomes 'i'.
'taking' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'victor'+'i'+'a'='VICTORIA'
(Other definitions for victoria that I've seen before include "British queen" , "Girl" , "place where one may be stationed?" , "Station - plum - sponge - queen" , "Queen, Australian state and plum" .)