Thanks Jo Pentony, President of the VIC Branch, for welcoming me so warmly, as a new Committee member for 2025/26. I’m excited to be advocating for Australian children’s literature with The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA)! 

I come from a background as an Occupational Therapist, author, reader, parent (of one bookworm + one reluctant reader!) and passionate literacy advocate in disadvantaged communities. 

My special interests in children’s literature are:

• equal access to picture books and shared reading for all Early Years children (irrespective of their postcode)
• disability representation
• engaging and supporting reluctant readers
• celebrating the joy of childhood in children’s literature.

I’ve been a member of the CBCA for ten years, and I’m honoured and excited in equal measure to be stepping forward in this new voluntary role with my fellow Committee members.