 The inaugural Peppermint Grove Retreat ended on 14 June with a celebratory afternoon tea and a relaxed presentation from the writers, Renee Treml, Maria Alessandrino, Renae Hayward and Louisa Mitchell. From Louisa’s Acknowledgement of Country to the presentation of my beautiful flowers from the writers, it was a heartwarming afternoon with 27 people in attendance. Here are some comments from the writers about their experiences:  I wrote the dialogue for an upper Middle Grade /early Young Adult graphic novel and made revisions to the entire story. I started with a fully plotted storyline and detailed scene synopses. I also spent some time thinking about picture books. We had excellent workspaces and a variety of places to choose from. So many great books around for inspiration too. I loved getting to know my house-mates. The house itself is immaculate and comfortable, in a great location. Every meal was a fun social event and we all assisted with the planning, prepping, cooking and cleaning. I loved that we attended a few literary events and had a few evenings out. No one minded if we went for a walk or a coffee or had to run to a drs appointment or visit family. No feeling of being judged or watched, just supported and encouraged. Renee Treml  My time at the retreat gave me the opportunity to review the first draft of my Middle Grade fantasy novel, The Rock Children. The time here has given me the space I needed to develop the story and has also given me inspiration for other projects. Coming together as a group at lunch and dinner helped me take a break from writing and stopped me getting too lost in my own thoughts. It was also great to learn from the other creatives, hear about their projects and discuss difficulties etc. It also gave us a chance to unwind and recharge for the next day. I also enjoyed our literary outings, getting the opportunity to mix with the broader community and gain inspiration from various places. Thank you, Gail for such a wonderful couple of weeks. It has been such a privilege to do a writing residency in your beautiful home and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity. Maria Alessandrino  During the retreat I redrafted a Junior Fiction novel based on WA Wildlife consultation and recent feedback from an agent (at Kid Lit Vic conference), submitted a query letter to a publisher for an early childhood picture book, spent time thinking and taking notes on possible future projects, including a possible short story collection in collaboration with WA Wildlife and promoted my work, the retreat and CBCA via 4 Instagram posts. Literally everything about this retreat was amazing. I loved being able to go for walks along the river. I loved having my own space for both day and night time (and have these be different spaces!). Being located so centrally was great for being able to duck home to visit my family, attend events like the Fogarty Awards, and visit WA Wildlife. Roderick House is truly beautiful and it is such a gift to have Gail share it with WA children’s book creators. Renae Hayward (Week One)  This was my first writing retreat ever and it was a real privilege to be given the time and space to work on my first children’s picture book, Gently, Gently. I also started writing down ideas for other future children’s books that were inspired by my time here. Being with other writers, particularly with different backgrounds/strengths and at different writing levels, enabled everyone to learn something different from each other – I particularly benefitted from having an experienced children’s author in the house who generously gave me feedback. Being allowed the time and space to write was incredibly motivating and inspiring, with a nice mix of socialising with everyone for lunch and dinner to talk through ideas. Playing a game after dinner was a lovely way to end the day with a laugh. Louisa Mitchell (Week Two)   Sincere thanks to CBCA WA for their contribution of funds in getting this exciting new initiative in support of WA creators of Children’s and Young Adult Literature up and running.
Gail Spiers The annual Children's Book Week ® Opening and Dinner will be held on Friday 15 August to celebrate the announcement of the winners in the CBCA Book Of the Year Awards and to open Children's Book Week® in Western Australia.  The mission of the CBCA is . . . to connect, communicate, celebrate, and advocate for the value of stories. (The Children’s Book Council of Australia). Those who attended this presentation were able to listen to in depth discussions of the books in each category by four of the Book of the Year Award Judges - Nola Allen (2024-2025) Early Childhood, Sophie Helfgott (2025-2026) Younger Readers, Maria Alessandrino (2024-2025) Older Readers and Annika Kononen (2025-2026) Older Readers. The venue was the delightful Mel Maria Catholic Primary School Library in Attadale, which was perfect for such an event. Lots of the participants were thrilled to see a beautifully maintained library with many commenting that they had an idea or two to take back to their own school or public library. Entries in the 2025 Book of the Year Awards totalled 730 💛 Older Readers 58 💛Younger Readers 150 💛Early Childhood 153 💛Picture Book 232 💛Eve Pownall 81 💛New Illustrator 47 Each judge discussed aspects of the judging process including criteria and working in a team of judges to read, report on and collaborate to identify their Notable Lists, select 6 titles for Shortlists and make their final selections: the winning and honour books to be announced on Friday 15th August. Books were thoroughly examined and aspects such as language, characterisation, setting, plot, theme, illustration, design elements and age appropriateness were discussed. Audience members received a booklet containing judges’ summaries and details of shortlisted books in each of the categories. Following the presentations, a delicious afternoon tea was served, and participants had the opportunity to speak with the judges, take a thorough look at the books on display and network with like-minded colleagues. Thank you to CBCA WA committee member and coordinator Tracey Willis who planned and managed the event. Thank you also to committee member Charmaine Faulkner who organised the venue at her school Mel Maria and to the library staff who supported her. A huge thank you to Nola, Sophie, Maria and Annika for sharing their expertise, commitment and passion. The event provided the audience with an opportunity to learn a little more about the judging process, thoroughly engage with this year’s shortlist titles via the knowledge and empathy of the judges and connect with CBCA WA, as it continues to promote quality literature for children and young adults. Liz Allen CBCA WA committee  |
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AWARDS FOUNDATION
We dreamt of funding prizes for Winning and Honour Books in the Children’s Book of the Year Awards to reward their creators. Your generous donation was part of that dream. You can make our dream a reality. GIFT FUND Your donation to the CBCA Gift Fund will help fund programs that enrich young lives through Australian stories and create a thriving creative world. Support our mission to connect, communicate, celebrate and advocate stories across Australia. |
AWARDS FOUNDATION BENEFACTORS
Allen & Unwin • CBCA NSW Branch Inc • Eddie and Dina Coffey • Laurie Copping OAM • Margaret Hamilton AM • Maurice Saxby AM Scholastic Australia • Thyne Reid Trust No. 1
Major Donors
Australia Post • Jill B Bruce • Sandy Campbell • CBCA ACT Branch • CBCA SA Branch • CBCA QLD Branch • CBCA VIC Branch • CBCA WA Branch • Era Publications • Terry Fahy • Five Mile Press • Libby Gleeson AM • Bob Graham • Hachette Children’s Books • Hardie Grant Egmont • HarperCollins Publishers • Ipswich District Teacher-Librarians’ Network • The James N Kirby Foundation • Kinross-Wolaroi School • Koala Books • Library Board of Queensland • Dr Robin Moncrieff Morrow AM• Angela Namoi • Northern Territory Government • Parents & Boys of Sydney Grammar Edgecliff Prep School • Penguin Books • Random House • Emily Rodda (Jennifer Rowe) • Gillian Rubinstein • SA Dept of the Arts & Cultural Development • Gail Spiers • Myrtle Spiers • Cathie Tasker • University of Queensland Press • Julie Vivas • Walker Books • Margaret Wild • Sue Williams
Major Donors in Memoriam
Jean Chapman • Max Fatchen • Beryl Moncrieff Matthews • Christobel Mattingley • Jill Midolo • John Moffat • Narelle Oliver • Jan Ormerod • Eve Pownall • Marion E Robertson • Gregory Rogers • Sebastian Walker • Cassandra Weddell • Maisie Williams, Garah, NSW
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