MURIEL BARWELL AWARD

The Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to Children's Literature is a biennial award of ​The Children's Book Council of Australia WA Branch.

Congratulations Sally Murphy!

The 2024 recipient of the Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature is Dr Sally Murphy.
Sally has a Doctorate in Creative Writing, and is a qualified and experienced teacher, having taught all ages from preschool through to university level. Currently she is a Senior Lecturer in Literacy in the School of Education, and Course Coordinator of the Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Curtin University, training the next generation of teachers. A published author and poet of over 50 books, Sally’s research interests include the importance of integrating children's literature across the curriculum and increasing engagement with reading and writing.

​After being a judge for the Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards from 2011-2013, Sally was invited to be the Patron of the awards. She wrote her thesis on poetry and, in 2021, the Primary English Teacher’s Association of Australia (PETAA) asked her to write a resource for teachers. Teaching Poetry for Pleasure and Purpose was sent out to all PETAA members in August 2021. The goal of the book is to help educators teach the writing, reading and savouring of poetry in ways that are pleasurable (for teachers AND students) and to meet literacy and other learning goals.
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Dr Sally Murphy OAM 2024 Muriel Barwell Award Recipient

In 2023 Sally teamed with Rebecca M. Newman, publisher at Alphabet Soup Books, to compile an anthology of poetry for children, with poems from new and established Western Australian poets. Co-published in 2024 by Fremantle Press, with brilliant illustrations by Briony Stewart, Right Way Down was launched in March 2024 to great acclaim.
Sally was a volunteer contributor to The Australian Verse Novel Resource and was instrumental in setting it up for the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature. This comprehensive resource includes a summary of each verse novel, listing of awards, links to teacher’s notes, reviews and other resources, curriculum links and key topics covered within.
Sally is generous with her time and talents and has been a longtime member and loyal supporter of CBCA WA. At the 20th anniversary of A Night with Our Stars (ANWOS) in 2023 Sally was acknowledged not only as one of the original presenters at the 2004 event but also (along with Julia Lawrinson) the presenter with the most appearances at 12 each.
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Muriel Barwell and Sally Murphy 2024
Author Claire Saxby comments: Since Pearl Verses the World was released Sally has continued to make us laugh and cry, often simultaneously as she produces more wonderful stories, often but not always told in verse. At every step she has endeavoured to support the work of Australian children’s authors and illustrators, to promote and enhance the literature experience for educators and families, but most importantly to make language, literacy and literature connections with young people.
Author, Janeen Brian writes: Sally Murphy is a hard worker, a brilliant writer and poet, and a giver. She inspires and enthuses and the world of Australian children’s literature is brighter because of her.
In 2022 Sally was awarded an OAM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her contributions to children’s literature and education. She is a highly valued member of the children’s literature community and a worthy recipient of the Muriel Barwell Award.

Gail Spiers
Convenor Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to Children’s Literature

Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to
​Children's Literature Background

Muriel Barwell’s name is synonymous with children’s literature in Western Australia.  In July, 1974 she opened Haddons, a specialist children’s bookshop in London Court.  This small space, crammed floor to ceiling with the best books for children from around the world was the only one of its kind in Perth.  Muriel’s vast knowledge and welcoming manner made it a haven for parents and children alike.  Muriel spent much of her time liaising with Education Department librarians, guiding and advising their purchases.

Muriel was instrumental in revitalising a somewhat flagging CBCA Branch in the 1970s with a new committee and fun filled meetings at Haddons in the early years. Muriel held the position of Branch Treasurer providing sound and stable financial advice for some 17 years.
She was a founding member on the Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre Board and a strong supporter of WAYRBA, receiving a Certificate of Excellence in 1991.
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While Muriel's influence has been largely state based, her contribution has been recognised more widely winning the Nan Chauncy Award in 2006 and being awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2007.
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The Award

A recipient will have demonstrated significant service to children’s literature beyond his or her professional commitments over a period of time in Western Australia.

Service can be demonstrated in a variety of ways such as:
  • Committed volunteer work with a children’s literature-related association (such as the WA Branch of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) or the like).
  • Working with children, parents or community groups.
  • Study in the field of children’s literature.
  • Judging literary / literature awards.
  • Assisting and promoting writers, illustrators and publishers of children's books.
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Eligibility

  • Nominees need not be a member of the CBCA.
  • Nominees cannot receive the Award more than once.
  • Nominees who have been unsuccessful can be renominated without restriction in subsequent years.
  • Nominees must be living at the time nominations close.
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Nominations

  • Nominations must be submitted with the official nomination form.
  • Nominations shall be no more than 2 A4 pages.
  • Judges can consider submissions only on the written evidence provided.
  • Brief references to published sources are admissible.
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Administration

  • The Award will be administered by a convenor appointed by the WA Branch.
  • A call for nominations shall be published in the April Branch newsletter of the year of the Award.
  • The closing date for the Award will be 30 June. Late entries will not be considered.
  • There shall be 3 judges; the Award Convenor and two Branch committee members selected after nominations have been received.
  • Copies of the nominations shall be sent by the Award Convenor to the judges 3 weeks prior to the finalisation of judging.
  • The Branch President will be responsible for informing the recipient of the Award which will be presented at the Book Week dinner.
  • The recipient will be presented with a certificate, a citation and a gift crafted in WA.
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Confidentiality

  • The list of nominees and the judges’ deliberations shall be confidential.
  • The nomination of the recipient shall be retained in the Branch Archives.
  • All other nominations and notes shall be destroyed.
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Submissions

Nominations must be sent to the Award Convenor Gail Spiers by 30 June.
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The 'Muriels' at the 2024 CBCA Book Week Dinner | Back Row: Frane Lessac, Sally Murphy, Nola Allen, Jan Nicholls, Elaine Forrestal. Front: Muriel Barwell
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The ‘Muriels’ in 2018 | Back row: Jenni Woodroffe, Peter Williams, Muriel Barwell, Celia Cole. Front row: Frané Lessac, Mary Gimondo, Jan Nicholls. Absent: Elaine Forrestal.

Past Award Winners

2024 Sally Murphy
​2022 Nola Allen
​2020 Jennifer Jackson
​​2018 Jan Nicholls
2016 Celia Cole
2014 Jenni Woodroffe
2012 Elaine Forrestal
2010 Frané Lessac
2008 Mary Gimondo
2006 Peter Williams​