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, reader, parent (of one bookworm + one reluctant reader!) and lead author for an education charity’s ‘Writer in Residence’ program in disadvantaged Victorian communities from 2016 to 2024.

My special interests in children’s literature are:

• providing equal access to picture books and shared reading experiences for all Early Years children (irrespective of their postcode)
• positive incidental disability representation
• engaging and supporting reluctant readers
• creating craft projects to enhance book connections
• providing joyous Story Time experiences for young readers and their families

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