CBCA WA COMMITTEE
The WA Branch of The Children's Book Council of Australia has an executive committee and an extensive general committee with a number of sub-committees.
Any queries please contact: [email protected] using the appropriate subject line as indicated below
Any queries please contact: [email protected] using the appropriate subject line as indicated below
State Executive Committee 2026
Position |
Name |
Email Subject Line |
Email |
President |
Kris Williams |
Attention President |
|
Vice President |
VACANT |
Attention Vice President |
|
Secretary |
Maria Alessandrino |
Attention Secretary |
|
Treasurer |
Sheena Matthews |
Attention Treasurer |
|
Ex Officio |
Tracey Willis |
Attention Ex Officio |
|
Ex Officio |
Chloe Mauger |
Attention Ex Officio |
Committee Meetings 2026
Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7pm unless stated otherwise [All welcome]
|
Committee Members
Kris Williams - Branch President
For many years I have been involved with the writing sector, promoting not only the sector itself, but the many talented creatives in Western Australia. In doing so I have developed close ties with the literary community.
I was on the Board of Writing WA for six years and am currently on the National Board of The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) and I am the current President of the CBCA WA Branch.
I have been on the judging panels for several WA writing awards and continue to be encouraged by the talent of our possible future writers.
For many years I have been involved with the writing sector, promoting not only the sector itself, but the many talented creatives in Western Australia. In doing so I have developed close ties with the literary community.
I was on the Board of Writing WA for six years and am currently on the National Board of The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) and I am the current President of the CBCA WA Branch.
I have been on the judging panels for several WA writing awards and continue to be encouraged by the talent of our possible future writers.
Vice President
Maria Alessandrino - Secretary
Sheena Matthews - Treasurer
Chloe Mauger - Ex Officio
Tracey Willis - Ex Officio
Liz Allen
Nola Allen
Nola has worked in the library and education sectors in WA for over 40 years specialising in services for children and families, early literacy and reading promotion.
Highlights include coordinating the State Library of WA's Better Beginnings Family Literacy Program, reviewing and writing, and consulting on community publishing projects.
Nola was a judge on the Early Childhood panel for the 2024-2025 CBCA Book of the Year Awards.
Nola has worked in the library and education sectors in WA for over 40 years specialising in services for children and families, early literacy and reading promotion.
Highlights include coordinating the State Library of WA's Better Beginnings Family Literacy Program, reviewing and writing, and consulting on community publishing projects.
Nola was a judge on the Early Childhood panel for the 2024-2025 CBCA Book of the Year Awards.
Jenny Botje
My love of children’s literature was evident throughout my 40 years as an educator. My passion for this was further strengthened by my close connection to many of the Australian children’s authors and illustrators I encountered during my 17 years at The Literature Centre. Having the good fortune to work in a place where I was continually surrounded by original illustrations from a wide variety of picture books meant I was the envy of many. I always treasured the opportunity to work closely with the various authors and illustrators. I learnt so much about the creative processes they employed and the individual stories behind the stories. I found the best thing about all this was the ability to then share these stories with the children in the many classes that I worked with.
Being a committee member of the WA Branch of CBCA has filled a void since retiring. Working in various capacities with like-minded lovers of children’s literature brings me joy
My love of children’s literature was evident throughout my 40 years as an educator. My passion for this was further strengthened by my close connection to many of the Australian children’s authors and illustrators I encountered during my 17 years at The Literature Centre. Having the good fortune to work in a place where I was continually surrounded by original illustrations from a wide variety of picture books meant I was the envy of many. I always treasured the opportunity to work closely with the various authors and illustrators. I learnt so much about the creative processes they employed and the individual stories behind the stories. I found the best thing about all this was the ability to then share these stories with the children in the many classes that I worked with.
Being a committee member of the WA Branch of CBCA has filled a void since retiring. Working in various capacities with like-minded lovers of children’s literature brings me joy
Sharon Coppin
My career has been in the library and information industry for many years across all four types of libraries; school, public, private and academia. I am interested in literacy for everyone, with a focus on early years literacy and I am currently studying a Masters of Teaching to become an early years teacher.
I love being a member of the CBCA as I get to meet extraordinary creative people and the and the wonderful collaboration to promote Australian children's literature.
My career has been in the library and information industry for many years across all four types of libraries; school, public, private and academia. I am interested in literacy for everyone, with a focus on early years literacy and I am currently studying a Masters of Teaching to become an early years teacher.
I love being a member of the CBCA as I get to meet extraordinary creative people and the and the wonderful collaboration to promote Australian children's literature.
Charmaine Faulkner
Mary Gimondo
I am a proud nonna of five and have worked as a librarian, researcher, and analyst. I began as a children's librarian in public libraries, worked for the Education Department, and then in special libraries. I have been a past Secretary of CBCA WA and a recipient of the Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature. I have had a second "career" volunteering and am currently the Secretary of Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories.
I love being on the CBCA WA as everyone is passionate about children and children’s literature. We work together to promote West Australian and Australian children’s literature and our fantastic creatives, especially those in WA. As a group we deliver an impressive program of activities throughout the year culminating in Children’s Book Week.
I am a proud nonna of five and have worked as a librarian, researcher, and analyst. I began as a children's librarian in public libraries, worked for the Education Department, and then in special libraries. I have been a past Secretary of CBCA WA and a recipient of the Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature. I have had a second "career" volunteering and am currently the Secretary of Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories.
I love being on the CBCA WA as everyone is passionate about children and children’s literature. We work together to promote West Australian and Australian children’s literature and our fantastic creatives, especially those in WA. As a group we deliver an impressive program of activities throughout the year culminating in Children’s Book Week.
Lorraine Horsley
Claire Kierath
A lifelong reader and lover of children’s books culminated in a Masters of Philosophy in Education (Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature) from the University of Cambridge.
I loved my time one of the Judges for the Book of the Year 2022-2023 in the Younger Readers category and the shortlist release is always an exciting time of year! Joining the committee allows me to give back to the community and be a part of the amazing work that the CBCA does for children’s literature in Australia.
A lifelong reader and lover of children’s books culminated in a Masters of Philosophy in Education (Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature) from the University of Cambridge.
I loved my time one of the Judges for the Book of the Year 2022-2023 in the Younger Readers category and the shortlist release is always an exciting time of year! Joining the committee allows me to give back to the community and be a part of the amazing work that the CBCA does for children’s literature in Australia.
Jenny McCracken
Trish Montgomery
Trained as a Library Technician and working in schools fuelled my love of children’s literature, particularly picture books. Fox by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks is my absolute favourite.
My library career took a detour to Archives and Heritage still within education, including several years as the CBCA National Archivist. Other National roles included Merchandise, and a shared position of Awards Coordinator for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards. Being able to take a firsthand look at the entries and eventual winners was such a joy!
Trained as a Library Technician and working in schools fuelled my love of children’s literature, particularly picture books. Fox by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks is my absolute favourite.
My library career took a detour to Archives and Heritage still within education, including several years as the CBCA National Archivist. Other National roles included Merchandise, and a shared position of Awards Coordinator for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards. Being able to take a firsthand look at the entries and eventual winners was such a joy!
Jan Nicholls - ANWOS Convenor
A lifelong booklover and avid reader, it seemed only natural that I would gravitate towards a career in teacher librarianship. I am privileged to have served as the CBCA
WA Branch President twice and honoured to be a recipient of the Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature and the Nan Chauncy Award.
I love being part of CBCA because of the positive focus it places on quality Australian children’s literature and the tangible support of Australian creatives through the BOTY awards.
My favourite CBCA WA Branch event is A Night with Our Stars where we celebrate our amazing WA authors and illustrators.
A lifelong booklover and avid reader, it seemed only natural that I would gravitate towards a career in teacher librarianship. I am privileged to have served as the CBCA
WA Branch President twice and honoured to be a recipient of the Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature and the Nan Chauncy Award.
I love being part of CBCA because of the positive focus it places on quality Australian children’s literature and the tangible support of Australian creatives through the BOTY awards.
My favourite CBCA WA Branch event is A Night with Our Stars where we celebrate our amazing WA authors and illustrators.
Sandi Parsons
Denise Robins
I have a background in education throughout the school, libraries and university sectors.
Joining CBCA WA has brought many new friends into my circle and allowed me to use my skills to benefit the community. The Make Your Own Story Book Awards Ceremony is a fabulous event, where proud families, teachers and librarians join committee members to celebrate the successes of pre-primary to year 8 budding authors and illustrators. Coordinating the awards and ceremony with my team is the highlight of my year.
I have a background in education throughout the school, libraries and university sectors.
Joining CBCA WA has brought many new friends into my circle and allowed me to use my skills to benefit the community. The Make Your Own Story Book Awards Ceremony is a fabulous event, where proud families, teachers and librarians join committee members to celebrate the successes of pre-primary to year 8 budding authors and illustrators. Coordinating the awards and ceremony with my team is the highlight of my year.
Wendy Rudge
I have an extensive experience in the emergency services and in educating adults.
I am an emerging children's author and love being a part of the children's literature scene in WA. Being a part of the CBCA is important as it is helping to nurture and engage our next generation through the power of story telling.
I have an extensive experience in the emergency services and in educating adults.
I am an emerging children's author and love being a part of the children's literature scene in WA. Being a part of the CBCA is important as it is helping to nurture and engage our next generation through the power of story telling.
Gail Spiers
Sally Woffenden
