Dam fine

Annually since the horrific bushfires in 2009, with a group of writers and illustrators I have been part of a Literary Festival in the region covered by the Merrijig MARC Van (formerly centred in Yea). It was the brainchild of MARC librarian, Libby Ahern and...

Summer is coming

Summer is approaching. Apparently. Yesterday it felt closer than it does today, but that’s always the case in Melbourne, where I live. Variety. That’s what Melbournians love. Which is fortunate, because that’s what our weather offers. This week, I...

Feedback

As an author doing school visits, it’s difficult sometimes to judge how a session has been received. So it’s always lovely to receive feedback from the students. I love all these responses, but I’m particularly fond of this first one: ‘We sang...

Book Week: before, during and after

‘Koala’ was an Honour Book in this year’s CBCA Awards, in the Eve Pownell category. What a thrill to be in Brisbane with illustrator Julie Vivas for the Award announcements, along with Linsay Knight and Steve Spargo from Walker Books Aus.  The CBCA,...

Ballarat and Willylitfest

I headed up the Western Highway this week for two days working in Ballarat. The first day was 3 sessions with the Young Writers, selected upper primary students from 6 Ballarat and regional schools. Sue Lawson and I conducted writing workshops and local teachers...

Bird to Bird and Bird

On Saturday ‘Bird to Bird’ visited Newport Libraries for a launch/welcome event. Michael Lang, librarian was on hand to host. It was Michael who first seeded the idea for this book and it was great to be able to share it with him and his lovely family. I...