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.