PENNY HUTCHENS MEMORIAL FUND
The WA Branch of the CBCA established the Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund in 1980 for the purpose of donating books annually to an organisation that cares for children. From 1983 the fund was donated biennially.
The committee is now looking for the 2021 recipient of the Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund.
Do you know of a worthy recipient? Contact Gail Spiers: gailspiers@iinet.net.au
The committee is now looking for the 2021 recipient of the Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund.
Do you know of a worthy recipient? Contact Gail Spiers: gailspiers@iinet.net.au
Book Plate Designed by Kelly Canby
2019 Recipient - The Spiers Centre
The 2019 Recipient of the Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund is the Spiers Centre in Heathridge. The Spiers Centre works to develop strong, caring and resilient communities through the provision of Financial and Personal Counselling, Community Support and Play Groups, a Creche and Emergency Relief.
One of the Emergency Relief services is the provision of Bedtime Bundles for children from families in crisis. A Bedtime Bundle contains a pair of pyjamas, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a hairbrush and one or two books. The Spiers Centre expected to provide support for between 100 and 200 families this year and was very grateful for the donation of 173 books through the Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund and donations from CBCA WA Branch members.
One of the Emergency Relief services is the provision of Bedtime Bundles for children from families in crisis. A Bedtime Bundle contains a pair of pyjamas, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a hairbrush and one or two books. The Spiers Centre expected to provide support for between 100 and 200 families this year and was very grateful for the donation of 173 books through the Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund and donations from CBCA WA Branch members.
CBCA (WA Branch) members Gail Spiers and Chloe Mauger presenting 6 boxes of books to The Spiers Centre CEO, Gaelle Gouillou.
Contents of a Bedtime Bundle
The Spiers Centre chief executive Gaelle Gouillou and community support officer Leanne Durie with Children’s Book Council of Australia WA member Gail Spiers.
Picture Martin Kennealey www.communitypix.com.au
This gift of books honours two women who were valued in their communities - Penny Hutchens, who was passionate about children's literature and worked to bring books and children together in the 1970s and Frances Sophia Boughton Spiers, after whom The Spiers Centre is named, for her kind-hearted generosity in the early 1900s. All and sundry were welcomed at her Wanneroo home, which was in many was an 'unofficial community centre'.
Frances and James Spiers at their Homestead at Martin Hole Central Ave Wanneroo
(Circa 1930s)
background
In 1980 the WA Branch of the CBCA initiated a trust fund to perpetuate the memory of Penny Walton (nee Hutchens). Penny died at the end of 1979 and is remembered as a person who gave much of her time and effort towards children and their books.
Penny was a member of the Children’s Book Council for many years and was the WA Judge for the Australian Children’s Book of the Year Awards for 1978 and 1979.
In her memory, the Penny Hutchens Fund was established for the purpose of donating books annually to an organisation which cares for children, as Penny’s concern was always to get books into the hands of children.
Penny was a member of the Children’s Book Council for many years and was the WA Judge for the Australian Children’s Book of the Year Awards for 1978 and 1979.
In her memory, the Penny Hutchens Fund was established for the purpose of donating books annually to an organisation which cares for children, as Penny’s concern was always to get books into the hands of children.
Recipients of Penny Hutchens Fund
2017 The Patricia Giles Centre
2015 Keeping Kids Safe Project, an initiative of the Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA)
2013 CARAD (Coalition for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees)
2011 Bidi Bidi Mount Magnet
2009 ASeTTS (Association for Services to Trauma and Torture Survivors) Multicultural Playgroup
2007 Braille Literacy Nest
2005 Mungallah Community near Carnarvon
2003 Princess Margaret Hospital playgroup for children with cancer
2001 Kindred Family Services - family reading project with Wooroloo Prison
1999 Ronald McDonald House Playsense
1997 Nardine Wimmin’s Refuge
1995 Heart Kids
1993 Princess Margaret Hospital
1991 Sir David Brand Centre
1989 Intergrated Resource Unit for Children with Handicaps/Special Needs
1987 Speech Pathologist Phyllis Ferguson Pineview Preschool Education Centre
1985 Association for the Advancement of Brain Injured Children
1983 Award changed to biennial
1982 Sister Kate‘s Children’s Home
1981 Speech and Hearing Centre
1980 WANSLEA Family Services
2015 Keeping Kids Safe Project, an initiative of the Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA)
2013 CARAD (Coalition for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees)
2011 Bidi Bidi Mount Magnet
2009 ASeTTS (Association for Services to Trauma and Torture Survivors) Multicultural Playgroup
2007 Braille Literacy Nest
2005 Mungallah Community near Carnarvon
2003 Princess Margaret Hospital playgroup for children with cancer
2001 Kindred Family Services - family reading project with Wooroloo Prison
1999 Ronald McDonald House Playsense
1997 Nardine Wimmin’s Refuge
1995 Heart Kids
1993 Princess Margaret Hospital
1991 Sir David Brand Centre
1989 Intergrated Resource Unit for Children with Handicaps/Special Needs
1987 Speech Pathologist Phyllis Ferguson Pineview Preschool Education Centre
1985 Association for the Advancement of Brain Injured Children
1983 Award changed to biennial
1982 Sister Kate‘s Children’s Home
1981 Speech and Hearing Centre
1980 WANSLEA Family Services
