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Grandcarers WA is the recipient of the 2025 CBCA WA Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund. Grandcarers WA is a peer-led, not-for-profit association dedicated to supporting grandcarers, ie. grandparents who have taken on the exceptional responsibility of raising their grandchildren in their own home. Grandcarers WA provides information, practical support and a unique sense of belonging for grandcarers and their grandchildren. In July, committee members Jenny Botje and Denise Robins presented books to the value of $1250, bought through the Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund, to Loryn Cummings, General Manager of Grandcarers WA. Added to the collection were a number of books donated by committee members.  Presentation of the books Jan Standen, Jan Kenyon, Jenny Botje, Loryn Cummings, Carolyn Sackville and Marion Campbell-Smith These books, most of which are suited to children aged 12 years + will be a valuable addition to the establishment of a library. In her letter of thanks, Loryn said, “On behalf of everyone at Grandcarers WA, I would like to extend our sincerest thanks for the generous donation of books we recently received. We are truly honoured and absolutely thrilled to be the recipients of the 2025 Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund. This donation will make a real and lasting difference in the lives of the grandchildren we raise. You have made a special effort to focus on our older children, as they often miss out, and with the rising cost of living, contributions like yours are more meaningful than ever. Thanks to your generosity, a dream we have held for some time has now become a reality. We are setting up our very own little library. These beautiful books will be enjoyed not just by one child, but by many, offering joy, inspiration, and learning for years to come. Your support has brought so much happiness to our community, and I can’t wait to see our little library in full swing. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts. Your kindness has touched us all and will continue to bring joy and knowledge to the children in our care.”  From left, Carolyn Sackville, Alan Hoffman, Jenny Botje, Loryn Cummings and Marion Smith at the Book Week Dinner We were delighted that Loryn, together with President Alan Hoffman, Carolyn Sackville and Marion Campbell-Smith were able to join us at our annual Children's Book Week® Dinner this year.
In the talk Alan and Loryn gave, they provided an insight into Grandcarers WA and how the donated books will bring joy into the lives of their grandchildren and grandcarers CBCA WA is proud to be extending the availability of literature to children of varying ages by way of the Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund. Zephyr Education is the recipient of the 2023 CBCA WA Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund. This organisation, which is 100% run by volunteers, was founded in 2013 to assist children living at domestic violence shelters. Its aim is to minimize any disruption to the children’s education by providing the resources and materials needed to continue their learning journey at a new school. In May, committee members Jenny Botje, Julie Muir and Denise Robins spent an enjoyable morning choosing books to the value of $1000 to be given to Zephyr Education. We were ably assisted by Margaret Walton from Child Education Services. In July, Jenny and Denise presented these to WA Coordinator of Zephyr Education, Nicola Henderson. Added to the collection were books donated by committee members. These books were distributed between two domestic violence refuges, one of these having four separate sites. These will be used in a variety of ways, including: - Use as 'buddy bags' for children when they first arrive at the refuge in a time of crisis with very few personal possessions. They may be the first new items the children own after arriving in the refuge. - Book packs to be kept in the accommodation units to encourage the clients to bond with their young children through reading. - Addition of the books to an onsite library which children can use.  WA Branch committee member Jenny Botje presenting the books to Nicola Henderson, WA Coordinator of Zephyr Education In her letter of thanks, Nicola said, “On behalf of Zephyr Education, I would like to sincerely thank you for your donation of the wonderful books that we received recently. At Zephyr Education we strive to ensure that disadvantaged and vulnerable children affected by domestic violence have every opportunity to continue their education with minimal disruption. We believe that books are at the heart of education and learning, so it was an honour to be gifted these beautiful books and in turn, to be able to pass them on to some of the domestic violence refuges supported by Zephyr Education. These families have been through so much before they finally arrive at a refuge so you can be assured that your kindness in supplying these books will be very much appreciated by the families involved. We appreciate the care and time taken to select books that are appropriate for these children.” We were delighted that Nicola was able to join us at the annual Book Week Dinner this year. In the talk she gave, she provided an insight into the work that Zephyr Education is involved in. A number of attendees interested in the organisation spoke to Nicola after her speech.  From left, Julie Muir, Nicola Henderson, Jenny Botje and Denise Robins at the Children's Book Week® Dinner |
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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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