SCBWI Canberra

ACT SCBWI Events May/June 2015

Story Creators Night

Many SCBWI members recently shared a wonderful evening with the Children’s Book Council, ACT branch Story Creators Night. It was a fun night and quite unpredictable. The presentations were tempered with some impressive poetry recitals, Samurai impersonations, and a peek into the lives of the creators. Many stories had the audience in fits of laughter (the real life stuff, that is, and nothing to do with a creative tale).

We were also privileged to have interstate SCBWI member, and visiting May Gibbs Fellow, Pam Harvey, join us to speak about the use of her creative time with research and the memorable hours she had spent at our iconic War Memorial.

L-R Back row-Molly B, Tony Flowers, Tania McCartney, Katie Taylor, Emma Allen, Harry Laing Front row- Pam Harvey, Tracey Hawkins, Stephanie Owen Reeder, Gina Newton

July is sneaking up and our next SCBWI meeting is set for Tuesday 21st July at 6pm at the ACT Writers Centre with our very own Susanne Gervay as the guest speaker. It is bound to be a fun evening as always with Susanne at the helm.

Tracey Hawkins, Coordinator SCBWI ACT

Farewell Lovely Frane as RA for WA

The dynamic, wonderful, talented Frane Lessac who has served SCBWI and our creative community for 13 years, is stepping done as RA of SCBWI Australia West on 1st September 2015.

She is leaving SCBWI West in the hands of James Foley, gifted illustrator picture book author and fantastic singer - singer for the SCBWI Band at the Sydney Conference.

Frane promises to be still an active part of the community and we send our huge thanks and love to her.

She has left SCBWI West in great hands supported by the new Illustrator Coordinator Samantha Hughes.

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Frane writes:-

Dearest SCBWI West Tribe,

I can’t believe it was over thirteen years ago that I organised the first SCBWI gathering in West Australia. At that time we had fewer than ten members. Since then our region has grown to over 130!

SCBWI will always be a huge part of my life, but after much thought I've made the difficult decision to step down as Regional Advisor.

These days I’m away more than I’m at home. I feel it’s time to hand over the reins to someone who can continue to give our region the time and energy it deserves … and who else but our amazing, inspiring, fun Illustrator Coordinator, James Foley!

And to fill James' current position, Samantha Hughes has put up her hand to be the new Illustrator Coordinator. Sam comes with a wealth of SCBWI knowledge and like James is a creative, warm and generous person.

I feel I’m leaving our SCBWI West in a very happy state (excuse the pun). It’s been a privilege to have been involved in the conception of SCBWI Australia West.

I’ve been so fortunate to have had the support of Meg McKinlay - the BEST Assistant Regional Advisor imaginable. Thank you, Meg, and thanks to all the members for giving me the honour of leading SCBWI Australia West!

I’m grateful for all the fun I’ve had and cherish the lifelong friendships forged during the past thirteen years; I look forward to helping the Team at future events.

The official handover will take place on September 1st. Published and pre-published creators can look forward to exciting times ahead!

With love always,

Frané Lessac
SCBWI Australia West Regional Advisor