CBCA (SA) was pleased to support the launch of our member Mike Dumbleton's book, Anisa's Alphabet on Friday 13 March at Burnside Town Hall in front of 300 invited guests. 
It was a night filled with the warmth, humour and compassion, surrounding the topic of refugees and their strength, resilience and contribution to Australian society. It was supported by powerful and moving renditions of the National Anthem and I am Australian by a children's choir from Playford College. 
The Governor of South Australia, His Excellency, the Honorable Hieu Van Le AC, launched the book and shared his personal story as a refugee. 
The launch raised $500 for the Refugee Association of Australia.
Congratulations Mike, illustrator Hannah Sommerville, and South Australian publisher Midnight Sun for a beautiful book.

Katharine England OAM was awarded Life Membership of the CBCA (SA) Branch at the 2020 AGM on 24 February 2020 by Branch president Julie Wells in recognition of her exceptional service to the Branch over an extended time.
Her Citation read
"As President of the South Australian Branch of The Children’s Book Council of Australia, and on behalf of the SA Committee and Branch members, I take great pleasure in announcing that Katharine England is a recipient of a Life Membership for the organisation.
 
This award is an acknowledgement of the wonderful contribution Katharine England has made over many years.
Katharine first joined the CBCA in 1992, serving as committee member for most of the years since then; 4 years as Branch President 1997, 1998, 2011 and 2012.
She was Vice-President from 2000 to 2010 and again in 2014.
 
Katharine served as a Judge for the CBCA Awards on three separate occasions: 1993-94, 1997-98, and 2017-18.  This has been a huge commitment particularly when we consider in the years past, judges were asked to read every book entered from cover to cover and produce a written report on each, plus fulfilling the expectation for giving a talk at various events in the home state about the Short List.
 
As we are all aware, Katharine has long been our Branch’s resident literary expert.  Undoubtedly, she is the most well read of reviewers of children’s literature in Australia.  Her columns in The Advertiser – for which she has been a reviewer of over 50 years – are masterly – thoughtfully written and so well researched.  Many readers rely on her expertise in recommending titles and have always done so. 
 
In addition, Katharine has guided emerging writers, attended conferences, judged for other literary awards and written reviews for numerous publications.
This vast field of experience means that she has offered the SA Branch a greater depth of understanding of children’s literature, along with valuable insights and wisdom, which she has always been happy to share.
 
Thank you Katharine for your amazing contribution to the CBCA SA Branch."

Nearly 50 people attended the combined Book Blitz and AGM held at Unley Town Hall on Monday 24 February 2020.
Our sponsors Emma Heyen from Harry Hartog, Dan McGuiness from Greenlight Comics, Pat Pledger from ReadPlus, and Anne Cameron from Scholastic 'blitzed' us with "Ten in Ten' - their top ten new and hot books in 10 minutes. 
Members can access these lists from the Members only page of this website.
As well as formal presentation and acceptance of reports (also available on the SA Members only page), presentations were also made to Katharine England OAM as a new Life member for services to the SA Branch, and Julie Wells as outgoing Branch President.
Elections for the new committee were as follows  - President, Jane Moore; Secretary, Nola Uzzell; Treasurer, Anna Angelakis; Committee members - Caitlin Hadrill, Lauren Mullinder, Brenda George, Karyn Stephens, Jo Marshall, Judy Miller, Kate Jones, Kate McBride, Linda Guthrie, Maria Komninos, Sharolyn Talbot, Wendy Jeffreys, Margaret Wilkinson, Josephine Gaskell. 

The South Australian Branch of CBCA joined with Unley Libraries to co-host a magical evening with the wonderful and acclaimed children's author Jackie French.
Jackie took the sellout audience on a magical mystery tour as she explored her ideas for turning kids onto tr readers, (and keeping them there!), and her passions for meticulously researching and uncovering the forgotten or hidden parts of history, particularly as they relate to women and indigenous Australians, and giving voice to these through her stories so that all children and young people can access them in an entertaining and meaningful way.

Through Jackie's generosity, the Branch was able to provide $500 to support students in member schools to attend school based workshops during her three day visit to South Australia. 
​
Our sponsors, Scholastic Australia and Harry Hartog Burnside Village, supported the event with book sales and raffle prizes.

rhe CBCA (SA) Branch and our Gold Sponsor, Dymocks Rundle Mall, were pleased to join together to host a free community event celebrating South Australian authors and illustrators of YA and children's literature. 
Host Allayne Webster was joined by Adam Cece, Beck Nicholas, Sean Williams, Margot McGovern, S.J.  Morgan, Poppy Nwosu, Jared Morgan and Dan McGuinness for a rollicking night of fun and exploration of the stories behind the books.
Stories were told of how our guests started their craft, their earliest children's literature favourites, and their current projects - all illustrated on the spot by Dan, interspersed with  games and musical interludes from our talented guests!
Some of these authors are available for school and library visits through another of our Gold sponsors Becky's Literary Bookings.
On a serious note Margot highlighted the importance of recognizing the importance of Australian YA Literature and the the work and resources of the LoveOzYA project. 

Thank you authors and illustrators. Thank you Dymocks Rundle Mall for a great night.

Jean Waddington and Sally Heinrich were sponsored by the Branch to attend the CBCA National Conference "And Now We're Laughing"  earlier this year.

Prior to the October Committee meeting they shared their Memorable Moments with the Committee and Branch Members over wine and cheese.

​A number of the members present stayed on as guests at the Committee meeting that followed to get a better sense of the workings of the Branch and perhaps be inspired to join the Committee.

 We hope to have the PowerPoint from the night available to Members on the Members Only page of the website. 

The Committee of the SA Branch was honoured to be invited to attend a morning tea at Government House hosted by our Patron Mrs Lan Le. 
Over delicious food Mrs Le shared some of her own personal experiences that have shaped her commitment to the importance of books and reading for children and young people, and thanked the Committee and the Branch for their work in fostering the love of books. 
We were also privileged to have a personal guided tour of the grounds and house. 

'Twas the week before Book Week and reading Super-heroes (and Super-villains) celebrated the 2019 CBCA Book Week theme "Reading is my secret power" with fun and frivolity at the annual Book Week Dinner at the Norwood Function Centre. 
Highlights included a Superhero Murder Mystery, the presence of all of our South Australian Notable and Short-listed authors and illustrators as special guests, books on sale with book signings, signature Superhero cocktails, competitions and much fun. 
The outstanding highlight of the night was the awarding of Honorary Membership to our special guest Phil Cummings as he enthralled us with the stories that make him such a worthy recipient as a South Australian luminary of children's literature. 
​Read his citation on the SA Greats page. 

On Friday 28th of June, 60 people experienced an arts night with a difference. As they entered St Peters Community Hall, they were greeted with a walk-through visual experience of Book Week art ideas, a great range of books and two artists (Georgina Chadderton and Lauren Mullinder) drawing live.
The room was buzzing with anticipation as the presentations began. Firstly there was an introduction to Padlet, an app where ideas had already been collated and attendees could participate by adding their own suggestions, creating a great resource of ideas to use when Book Week arrives.

Attendees participated enthusiastically in drawing an elephant and avocado and willingly offered their own suggestions for the smashed avocado graphic art story.

Presentations ( by Lauren Mullinder, Brenda George, Kate Jones and Jane Moore) included music, drama, dance, visual arts and media arts ideas. Attendees participated in Kahoots (an online fun quiz), drawing insects, learning how to green screen and much more. They watched with enthusiasm at the variety of art ideas presented which they could easily use in their schools or libraries. People networked with each other and left excited, eagerly anticipating trying the different activities presented, making their own Book Week come alive.
 Brenda George

Vale Christobel Mattingley OAM a Children's Book Council of Australia (South Australian Branch) Luminary and Honorary Member.
The Branch was pleased to award our second Honorary Membership in February 2019 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to children's literature over an extended period of time.
Christobel passed away 1 June 2019 aged 87. The Branch extends its condolences to her family and friends. Her works will continue to delight, inform and resonate with generations ahead.

A tribute to her  from the Adelaide Advertiser Saturday July 13 is attached here.