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Driving out of Sydney, crossing the Hawkesbury River on a punt, heading into the bush – one of Australia’s treasures – to speak to young people. Fantastic!

There are education department schools in the bush where kids from all over the country can come to discover indigenous bush tucker, environmental secrets of the land, trek, tell stories – the Writers’ Camp happens once a year and 4 authors go bush.

Multi award winning Simon French who was one of the founders of the writing camp at Brewongle Environment Education Centre was there of course.

Deborah Abela and James Roy came this year and there was me. Even award winning illustrator Donna Rawlings dropped in.

James Roy brought his ukele and Steve – one of the fabulous staff – brought his guitar and kids joined in.

I was in the old school house 1878 – how fantastic is that!  I didn’t use the cane, but put the fire on with Queen Victoria’s photo looking over us all.

Young people are so insightful, so much to share and it was wonderful as always.

The post Strange name – brilliant place with bush, writing at BREWONGLE on the Hawkesbury River appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.

Margaret Wild is a leading Australian children’s author. She has more than 70 picture books  with so many awards that I’ve lost count.

The adaptation of her brilliant multi award winning  picture book FOX illustrated by Ron Brooks and adapated into an opera by Monkey Baa Theatre www.monkeybaa.com.au was one of the great experiences of theatre.

The Lady Cutler Award gift of an illustration by the beautiful illustrator Julie Vivas will be deeply loved.

Edward Coffey who established the Lady Cutler Award which was sponsored by Hodder Publishers spoke about the importance of recognising those who contribute to children’s literature.

In 2011 Edward Coffey Chairman of  Peribo www.peribo.com.au has become the new sponsor.

Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrell award winning fantasy authors spoke about their great-great-great-great mother who wrote the first Australian book ‘A Mother’s Offering’

Wandering through the Reading Room exhibiting children’s illustrations  by wonderful artists such as Cathy Wilcox, Sarah Davis, Shaun Tan, Donna Rawlings, Nina Rycroft, the Children’s Book Council gathered in the warm candle-lit sun lounge of The Hughenden.

Everyone was waiting for Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of NSW and patron of the Children’s Book Council.

Carol Keeble Pesident of the CBCA (NSW), Maurice Saxby a father of Australian children’s literature and Margaret Hamilton  former President of the Children’s Book Council, the CBCA Foundation and a leading literary figure in Australia welcomed the Governor.

It was a wonderful evening of fine food, the company of authors and the children’s literary community.

Some of the authors included J.C. Burke, Christopher Cheng, Sue Whiting, Mary Small, Jill Bruce, Margaret Roc joining the President of the CBCA NSW and supporters to discuss books, listen to an address by Jill Bruce the new judge of the CBCA Awards and Wendy Smith the outgoing judge.

Fabulous night with everyone lingering on to share good company, food and celebrate children’s books.

It’s a glorious Sydney day with boats on the glittering harbour abuzz with publishers, authors, speakers, readers,writers and enthusiasts.

Doesn’t matter how busy I am, I always get down to the Wharf to mix and mingle. It’s the Sydney Writers Festival after all.

I love meeting my colleagues and friends who stay at The Hughenden. Had dinner with my HarperCollins publisher Lisa Berryman; catching up with the talented author Elizabeth Stead who’s staying there as always. Love Elizabeth Stead. Love her books too ….

I get to catch up with heaps of writers in the literary  meeting place of Sydney.

Libby Gleeson has just been recognised for her contribution to the literary world with a lifetime achievement award in the NSW Premier’s Literary Award.

Libby was totally surprised by  the announcement at the plush dinner. Maybe she should have guessed when she was put at the head table between NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and the Minister for Arts George Souris.

James Roy is excited about his trip to Germany later this year as his book ‘The Town’ is short listed for the German Youth Prize – very exciting.

Sooooo…………………….. good Libby and James.

I had lunch with Candice Bruce, a school friend who is going to rock the literary scene with her 20 year journey in writing an ART MYSTERY that reaches into our heritage, indigenous spirit, art and … it’s coming out March 2012 by Random House.

Go to the Sydney Writers Festival, suck in the creative life and enjoy!

Mike Spoor makes characters come alive! 

His Dinasaur Cove series published by Oxford Uni Press is especially huge in the UK.

Mike’s gorgeous illustration of Watch Duck is in the Hughenden Reading Room, together with the works of award winning illustrators including Sarah Davis, Nina Rycroft, Frane Lessac, Donna Rawings and the academy award winning illustrator Shan Tan.

I was so happy to meet Mike and asked him to illustrate a new DUCK for me. Even though he had heaps of talks at All Saints Festival he made the time to create my DUCK. Thankyou Mike. 

Here’s what Mike did:-

  Check the illustration carefully and find DUCK – Mike did this for the illustrator page at ALL SAINTS Literature Festival.

Soooooo……………. excited about My DUCK!!!!!!!!!!

Children’s authors and illustrators,a huge crowd from Walker Books, librarians, Children’s Book Council members, publishers, family and friends came to celebrate Sarah Foster.

Sarah has worked tirelessly for kids literature as a publisher, nurturing new talent, as well as supporting the CBCA in many events.

Margaret Hamilton who is one of the great forces in the development of Australian children’s literature gave the oration and the beautiful award illustrated by Donna Rawlings. There were huge cheers and love!!!  

Chris Cheng, the much loved Australian author and co-RA (leader) of Society of Children’s Book Illustrators and Writers (SCBWI) Australia & New Zealand with me - the other coRA of SCBWI.

Chris and his wonderful wife Bini partied at their arty inner city house.

I was excited to Simon French & Donna Rawlings and their smart and car focussed baby - cute as a button. Apologies for the cliche.

Sarah Foster, Chris Cheng, Julie Vivas

Quinn and Margaret Wild

Chris and Bini

The first time I met Sarah at the SCBWI Conference and saw her work I was drawn into her complex emotional and creative life. Her art is sensitive and thoughtful like her. I knew she’d be one of those special illustrators and the Children’s Book Council has acknowledged it by giving her this prestigious award. I felt moved by it and love the recognition. She deserves it on many levels. Her generosity to SCBWI and to everyone, when she has her own work and family demands is typical of Sarah.

Sarah gave me one of the illustrations from Mending Lucille. It’s so beautiful and hangs in The Hughenden in the Reading Room with illustrators like Shan Tan, Donna Rawlings, Wayne Harris and Carolyn Magerl. I want everyone to admire her art.

Congratulations to a special illustrator, artist, mother of 3 fabulous kids and friend.