The sun was shining, Government House was a gracious reminder of the past, the gardens flowering for the investiture of Australians for their contributions to Australia.
We sat in the sumptuous sitting room, as guests gathered for the ceremony. It was inspiring to hear the contribution of so many awarded decorations for courage, extraordinary services in fields as varied as medical, business, government, social justice …. and of course my very special Order of Australia (OAM) for children’s literature and professional organisations.
My wonderful children were there which made it doubly special.
Thankyou to my friends who sent me letters, emails, gifts.
Thankyou to the organisations who are part of my life that supported this award – Room to Read, The NSW Writers Centre, SCBWI, CBCA, MonkeyBaa Theatre and many others.
It was a time where I reflected on my parents’ journey as refugees to Australia. I know they were there with me. We had lunch at 21 Double Bay where my father took me as a girl to share Hungarian dishes, laugh and share stories.
I carried a private momento of my parents with me today.
Tim McGarry has come straight out of performing Duncan Ball’s ‘Emily Eyefinger’ to the Ipswich Festival of Children’s Literature.Hundreds of kids poured into the quasi-theatre at Woodlands. They were spellbound at times, laughing at other times and ethusiastically applauding.
I loved the kids and teacher librarians and teachers from Bethany School, Hattonvale State School, Jundalee State School Fervale, WMAC and IESS – all fabulous!
Crowds of kids and teachers wandered around the Ipswich Festival at Woodlands. Loved the art stalls with the workk of 
talented illustrator Lachlan Creogh and upcoming ilustrator Christian Bocquee.
Post talks, authors & illustrators are loving the community of children’s writers and hang out at Woodlands -Christopher Cheng, mark Wilson, Kerry Borwn and Gus Gordon
Waking up to the laughing kookaburras and the deep blue peacock at my door; morning mist hovering in the valley with mountains in the distance – this is Woodlands.
Last night was pool at the table with fabulous illustrators Leigh Hobbs, Gus Gordon, Mark Wilson and Anne Spudvilas. This morning at 6 am we were walking through the fields joined by author and fabulous blogger Sheryl Gwyther – all before breakfast.
Breakfast is so much fun with all the authors and illustrators. Especially great to talk to Tim McGarry – the JACK in the play ‘I Am Jack’ which is a feature event at the Ipswich Festival of Children’s Literature.
LOVE IT!!!!!!!
My hectic writing tour for August Book Week/Month has taken me across Sydney from Bankstown to Camden to Wahroonga to Rose Bay to Punchbowl to … everywhere.
I have spoken to 1000′s of young people and teachers. Their responses to my visits and talks leave me emotional and deeply touched.
Here are some of the words and thoughts of the kids:-
When Maisam asked you if you believed in ghosts, your response was just what he needed to hear. The cemetery scene really resonated with him as both his parents died in Afghanistan. I think he is comforted by the thought that they are watching over him and that he can talk to them at anytime, just like you do with your dad.
Once again, I thank you and 5th class thanks you too.
Mohammad told me he was a Muslim. He asked me -’What is your religion?’ I believe in God. ‘Do you believe Mohammad was a prophet? Yes, I believe he is. ‘Do you believe Jesus is a prophet?’ Yes, I believe he is. ‘Do you believe Moses is a prophet? Yes, I believe he is. All religions show us the pathway to good. We are all the same and seek to do good.
“Susanne Gervay, you are hilarious and you taught me an important lesson. Hand on my heart, I promise I will never bully anyone, anywhere. I mean that, so thank you. Say hello to Jack for me. I hope Nanna can visit us too now.”
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Susanne Gervay,
on 7/1/2011
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HarperCollins’ new stunning offices looking over Hyde Park down the multi lighted William Street are fabulous.
CEO Michael Moynahan welcomed us – enjoyed his literary jokes. Well, it was a publishing event!
The launch party was fabulous – with everything from Chandon champagne, a cello welcoming us, fabulous food, jellybean bags, old friends – editors, authors, illustrators, the marketing and publishing team.
Shared great news with friends:-
Duncan Ball’s thrilled at the adaptation by Monkey Baa Theatre of his Emily Eyefinger series to open at the Seymour in Sydney 9th July. I’ll be there.
Emma Quay’s new picture book is a total joy – Nudie and Rudie – two nudie toddlers celebrating family and life. Love it.
Lisa Forrest who’s nearly finished her new early teen novel with ABC Books an imprint of HarperCollins – about fantasy and circuses and sounds wonderful.
My news is of course that I AM JACK the play will have a season at the Seymour end of October and it’s just come out in Slovenian. So exciting.
Oh what a night…..!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Susanne Gervay,
on 6/25/2011
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The Children’s and Young Adult Literature Festival at the NSW Writers Centre is different to other festivals in that the writing community, sharing, friendship, support of the creativity of authors and creators is at the heart of the festival.
The NSW Writers Centre located in the heritage Gary Owen House in the Parklands of Callan Park grounds give a feel of a fair as writers gather, share conversation and food, applaud the launch of a book, craft and the life of publishing children’s and young adult literature.
As the Chair of the Board of the NSW Writers Centre I opened the festival and was embraced by the warmth of the audience, personal interaction, welcome of novice to well published authors, publishers who generously donated their time, screen writers, playwrights, digital writers ….
There was a wealth of talent and commitment to youth creativity in a home of writers.
Loved it – thankyou to all the participants and especially to:-
Authors:-
Lisa Forrest, Sue Whiting, Dianne Bates, Kate Forsyth, Belinda Murrell, Moya Simons, Jacqueline Harvey, Sophie Masson, Aleesah Darlinson, Jeni Mawter, Michael Parker, Karen Robertson, Duncan Ball William Kostakis
Publishers/Agents/Reviewers:-
Lisa Berryman HarperCollins, Zoe Walton Random House, Brian Cook Literary Agent; Angie Schiavonne Symdey Morning herald Literary reviewer; Palmer-Higgs Publishing; Joel Blacklock Boomerang Books.
Screen writers:-
Gina Roncoli, Simon Hopkinson, Kym Goldsworthy, Samantha Strauss
Theatre:-
Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People and Director Eva Di Cesare.
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 6/25/2011
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This Festival supports PEN and PEN’s Empty Chair. This chair was empty, recognising a writer who is persecuted for their work.
At the Festival, the empty chair was for LIU XIA and SUPPORTERS oF Nobel Prize winner LIU XIAOBO 2010. Since the Nobel Committee announced its decision in October 2010, Liu’s wife, Liu Xia, a photographer and poet, has been held under de facto house arrest by Chinese authorities.
Lisa Forrest the multi talented inspirational children’s author, media personality, actor, Olympian and Commonwealth gold medallist and a Mum, was a fantastic keynote to a full house.
Some highlights:-
Monkey Baa Theatre’s Eva diCesare, author Duncan Ball and HarperCollins publisher Lisa Berryman were in conversation about the new play Emily Eyefinger to be performed at Seymour Centre Sydney
Jeni Mawter’s launch of The Snugglebump Jump with heaps of cup cakes and a hilarious demonstration of Michael Parker author giving birth to a baby boy – well, baby doll.
Bestselling authors – Aleesah Darlinson, Belinda Murrell, Kate Forsyth, Moya Simons, Jacqueline Harvey, Sophie Masson, William Kostakis, Karen Robertson and more.
Kids’ TV with fabulous script writers; social media and insights into independent publishing as well as mainstream.
Flowers, flowers, flowers – my home is a garden – thankyou for all the flowers everyone for my Order of Australia.
Special thankyou to Monkey Baa Theatre for the roses.
As a patron of Monkey Baa Theatre, I’d love you to enjoy the warm and funny production of Duncan Ball’s Emily Eyefinger starts at the Seymour, Sydney – starts mid July 2011.
Bookings:[email protected]
ph; 02 9351 7938
‘I Am Jack’ will be performed at the Seymour October 26th – November 4th 2011
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 6/16/2011
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Yesterday I was part of the Cancer Council’s photo shoot for their Pink Ribbon Day – with kids, babies, young women, old women, guys – it was great fun and something close to my heart as a multiple breast cancer survivor and author of ’Always Jack’ that carries the Cancer Council’s logo – the yellow daffodil.
SUPPORT the Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon Day in October.
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Beautiful congratulations are coming from all over Australia & the world.
Thankyou to HarperCollins Australia for the stunning bouquet of flowers.
Thankyou to the organisations I advocate for – the NSW Writers Centre, Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People, Room to Read, CBCA, the Children’s & Illustrators Network (at the Hughenden), SCBWI, Books in Homes, Cancer Council …
Thankyou to my very funny friends – who think an OAM is hilarious and keep courtseying and sending me cards with OAM.
Thankyou Australia for the OAM!!!!
Thankyou for SCBWI – the messages are coming from everywhere.
As the child of post war refugees, my parents with my baby brother, left everything to escape Hungary across minefields in the dead of night, for freedom. In the Austrian refugee camp, they hoped a country would take them.
They wanted to be chosen by the USA, but it was Australia who offered them home. They didn’t know what or where Australia was, except it was far away from war, communism and imprisonment.
They came on a refugee ship, without language, possessions, community, but with hope. Like many, they rebuilt their lives in a new country. It is the story of America, Canada, UK …. many countries.
It’s hard to believe that as the child of refugees, I have been awarded an Order of Australia. It is overwhelming and deeply meaningful.
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 5/14/2011
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Sydney’s awash with books, film and festival – such a fabulous city.
As the Director of the Kids & Young Adult Literature Festival at NSW Writers Centre, I’m proud to announce:-
The PITCH sessions – double opportunity – to pitch your work to publishers.
Publishers – Zoe Walton Random House, Lisa Berryman HarperCollins, Sue Whiting Walker Books ….
Film script writers – from Nickelodeum, ABC ….
Best selling Kids’ authors – Kate Forsyth~ fantasy, Duncan Ball ~humour, Moya Simons ~ real life
Social Media & beyond – William Kostakis ~blogger/author, Literature Live!~interactive TV to the world
Theatre – adaptation of books with Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People
Lisa Forrest - actor, author, emcee, TV and radio presenter, interviewer, mother, Olympian launching festival
The Kids & YA Literature Festival is intimate, real, connecting audience and speakers with inside information on publishing, craft, opportunities ~ getting into the creative life.
Limited numbers
Friendly social networking venue
Onsite free parking in the parklands of Callan Park Rozelle (near Balmain)
Supporting Room to Read – bringing literacy to the kids of the developing world
There’s so much news too. Have to get my photos in order 1st as lost them too- so just a quick entry because my son and bullying’s on my mind.
I loved speaking at All Saints - the authors, creators, teachers, kids … it was about friendship, sharing story, inspiring young people and old. I came home to beautiful fan mail and comments from All Saints.
I was moved when a parent-teacher sought me out after my talk on I AM JACK & School Bullying. She said that after hearing me speak, she’d shared time with her son and they’d talked about bullying in a real way.
TEARY moment for me – because I’d been there with my son bullied and he couldn’t get me to hear him.
Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People is performing I AM JACK at a theatre in the Seymour , Sydney.
Dates: October 26 – November 4th.
Bookings: [email protected]; ph: 02 9351 7938
If you have a chance check out the youtube preview of Monkey Baa’s on my youtube channel: www.youtube.com/user/sgervay
Monkey baa is also performing Duncan Ball’s joyous Emily Eyefinger – touring starts in July.
I Am Jack published by Tricycle (imprint RandomHouse USA), published by HarperCollins Australia; and translated into Korea, Bahasa, Vietnamese and Slovenia
Patricia is an intrepid explorer – she’s just returned from the Cairo riots safely.
Evi Pickler sang us the beautiful song she wrote ’Australia’
David Morris completed his mega saga manuscript and it’s at his agent
Jill Bruce flashed her 10 fantastic non-fiction books on Australia and we shared Australia Day Ambassador stories.
I shared my excitement about Monkey Baa Theatre performing ‘I Am Jack’ again in October at the Seymour Centre Sydney.
‘What a wonderful show. It’s the best Monkey Baa production I’ve seen yet – gripping, funny and moving and the young performers were outstanding’ from Mark Macleod author and publisher.
I sat between Jackie French and Morris Gleitzman – we’re the three patrons of Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People – see watch ‘Hitler’s Daughter’ opening at the Seymour Theatre Sydney.
Jackie and I squeezed hands as this moving, powerful, emotional performance. The story is inspired by many stories of the Holocaust. It challenges young people and old to question not only Hitler who lead Germany and Europe into insanity, but what is still happening today.
Will we let it continue – Rwanda, Bosnia, the Kurds, the Ba’hais, Camodia?
The experience is funny, sad, joyous, confronting – truly great theatre. Huge applause to the director Sandra Edridge who is also one of the Directors of Monkey Baa Theatre. I am still thinking about ‘Hitler’s Daughter.’
The actors were brilliant – Michael Gupta who played the teenager Mark who was on this great quest for meaning
Robert Jago was a myriad of characters -he has such a natural comic talent. Such a great balance to the seriousness of the play.
Melle Stewart waqs a moving Anna and amazingly transfored into Fraulein gelber.
Kate Worsley was a shere delight.
GO, GO, GO – I promise you’ll come aware with so much.
PS The fantastic sound and music designer Jeremy Silver did I AM JACK – he was just as amazing in Hitler’s Daughter.
They have been invited to take ‘Hitler’s Daughter’ to the USA and have opend their ANGEL WITH WINGS APPEAL – please support it because Australian theatre, Hitler’s Daughter and this production needs to go beyond Australian shores.
By:
Susanne Gervay,
on 4/10/2010
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A powerful experience in love, friendship, betrayal in a feat of dancing, music, story that will take you into deep places challenging how you live.
FOX is sensational on so many levels:-
- the brilliant Monkey Baa Thetre production team of Eva Di Cesare, Sandra Eldridge & Tim McGarry
- Siren Theatre’s Director Kate Gaul who brings power and raw emotion onto the stage
- the music by gifted composer Daryl Wallis creating an opera of our time
- young powerful actors who give all in a play of exquisite movement and story
- David Buckley DOG
- Jay Gallagher FOX
- Jane Phegan Magpie
-Sarah Jones Spirit and opera singer
As one of the three patrons of Monkey Baa Theatre – Morris Gleitzman, Jackie French and myself – I feel honoured to be associated with this outstanding theatre company. Congratulations to ARTS NSW, ARTS on Tour NSW, NSW Communities Arts NSW and Australia Council for being key sponsors and the Minister for the Arts Virginia Judge for speaking so supportively at the World Premiere.
FOX is at the Seymour this week, before it begins its 5 month tour around Australia from Darwin to Hobart to Perth. Have an experience that you will remember and see it: www.monkeybaa.com.au
