PENNY HUTCHENS MEMORIAL FUND
Book Plate Designed by Kelly Canby
2025 Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund Recipient – Grandcarers WA
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.”
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.
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.
Background to the Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund
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 and was the WA Judge for the Australian Children’s Book of the Year Awards in 1978 and 1979.
The Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund was established in her memory for the purpose of donating books to an organisation which cares for children, Penny’s intention was always to get books into the hands of children. The books
are donated to a worthy organisation every two years.
Penny was a member of the Children’s Book Council and was the WA Judge for the Australian Children’s Book of the Year Awards in 1978 and 1979.
The Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund was established in her memory for the purpose of donating books to an organisation which cares for children, Penny’s intention was always to get books into the hands of children. The books
are donated to a worthy organisation every two years.
Recipients of the Penny Hutchens Memorial Fund
2025 Grandcarers WA
2023 Zephyr Education
2021 Ngala
2019 The Spiers Centre
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 Integrated 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
2023 Zephyr Education
2021 Ngala
2019 The Spiers Centre
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 Integrated 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
