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Children's Book Council of Australia SA Branch (CBCA SA)

The Children's Book Council of Australia SA Branch (CBCA SA) is a passionate, volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organisation, uniting educators, librarians, authors, illustrators, publishers and other experts in the children’s literature community in South Australia and across the country. It is a branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia national body, an independent, not for profit, volunteer organisation established to promote Australian children's literature. â€‹â€‹

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In 1945, South Australia led the nation by establishing one of the first Children’s Book Councils of Australia, a visionary step that laid the foundation for a rich culture of children’s literature and storytelling in our state. CBCA SA and the national organisation addressed the increasing need for quality Australian children's literature, ensuring that Australian children had access to quality stories reflecting their own country. And they worked towards the shared goal of bringing children and books together.

 

Over the past 80 years, CBCA SA has been instrumental in shaping the field of children's literature in Australia and remains a prominent advocate for high-quality books for young readers.​​ In 2025, CBCA SA will mark this 80-year milestone with a dynamic series of community events, continuing its mission to bring children and books together and promote excellent Australian stories and their creators. 


The CBCA SA Branch:

  • provides resources and information about quality Australian children's literature.

  • supports South Australian authors and illustrators of children's and young adult books.

  • distributes information about children's books, authors, and illustrators.

  • supports quality children's and school library services.

  • facilitates the appointment of judges to the CBCA Book of the Year Awards panel.

  • organises professional development and community outreach activities supporting children's literature and its creators. ​

2025 CBCA SA Patrons

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CBCA SA is honoured to welcome Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC Governor of South Australia and her husband Mr. Rod Bunten as Chief Patrons for 2025 and beyond. They are passionate supporters of children's literacy and an exciting addition to our community.  

 

We are also honoured to welcome the Honourable Premier Peter Malinauskas, MP, and the Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Dr Jane Lomax-Smith, AM, as patrons in 2025, both of whom are excellent advocates for children's literature and show great commitment to inspiring the next generation of readers.

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We are grateful to have such an incredible show of support from the highest levels of our government. This support both acknowledges the extraordinary contribution CBCA SA has made in South Australia by bringing children and books together for 80 years, and highlights that sharing Australian stories and inspiring future readers has never been more important. 

CBCA SA Life Members
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Valerie van Putten (Awarded 12/2/2018) 

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Anna Angelakis
​(Awarded 12/2/2018)

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John Moore
​(Awarded 11/2/19)

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Katharine England OAM (Awarded 24/2/2020)

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Julie Wells
​(Awarded 24/2/2021)

CBCA SA Honorary Members & Luminaries

Honorary Membership is awarded to a person who is a luminary of South Australian children’s literature and who is currently relevant and recognisable to the wider SA children’s literature community. Creative recipients have a quality body of work over a period of time and recognition via awards.

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Phil Cummings

Janeen Brian

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Sally Heinrich

Mem Fox

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Max Fatchen

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Colin Thiele

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Christobel Mattingley

CBCA SA COMMITTEE

The CBCA SA Branch is managed by a committee of volunteers who are experts in their field and passionate about bringing children and books together. The committee includes teachers, librarians, teacher librarians, community members and children's literature creatives. We invite and encourage membership from the South Australian children's literature community.

Kate Moore (President)

Bethany Clark

Anna Angelakis (Treasurer)

Wendy Rutten

Adriana MacDonald

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​Jane Moore

Kathryn Beilby

Helen Edwards

Janeen Brian

​Linda Guthrie

​​CBCA National Board Member

Jane Moore (SA Board Nominee)​

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​​Shadow Judging SA Coordinator

Kathryn Beilby​

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CBCA SA Thanks Our Valued Sponsors For Their Support of Children's Literature

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