CBCA Christmas Dinner - 10th November 2010

On the 10th November over 70 guests enjoyed a wonderful three course dinner at Villa D’Oro, Wollongong and were extremely lucky to have the incredibly talented Glenda Millard fly in from Victoria to entertain them.

Glenda has two books short-listed this year in the CBCA Book of the Year Awards - Isabella’s Garden and A Small Free Kiss in the Dark.

Our table hung onto every word Glenda spoke about her life and writing, we reminisced on our own childhood and were so enthralled that we ignored the delicious desserts that sat in front of us until Glenda finished.

What a great end to the year.

Jackie French and Bruce Whatley - 7th September 2010

Over 500 children from schools throughout the Illawarra were entertained for the morning by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley at The Illawarra Grammar School IGC Hall. A wonderful morning was had by all.

Children’s Literary Lunch – 3rd August 2010

Bruce Whatley

Oliver Phommavanh

This year the Children's Literary Lunch was held at the Fraternity Bowling and Recreation Club, Fairy Meadow. Guest Speaker was Bruce Whatley hosting a drawing workshop.

Approximately 120 children, teachers and librarians from around the Illawarra were lucky enough to be entertained by authors and illustrators Deb Abela, Aleesah Darlison, Sandy Fussell, Susanne Gervay, Richard Harland, Mo Johnson, Annabelle Josse, David Legge, Dawn Meredith, Kim Miller, Oliver Phommavanh, Lisa Shanahan, Mary Small and Sue Walker.

The children were then invited to come down onto the floor and learn to draw a wombat – just like Bruce’s – well some and to create funny faces with doodles. At the end of the day, the children, with their goody bags and lots of autographs and books tucked under their arm, went away eager to return next year.

Under Five's Grug Party - 1 July 2010

The CBCA Illawarra-South Coast Branch hosted an under five's Grug party on the 1st of July. The event was a huge success with over fifty children and their parents enjoying a morning of arts and crafts, games and storytelling. Every child also received a goodie bag with a Grug book inside.
The venue was the Thirroul Library and Community Centre where I felt extremely privileged to mingle with glittering princesses, delightful fairies and some of my favourite superheroes, like Batman and Superman.

But the best part of the morning was the arrival of our special guest: Grug! Everyone I talked to had been looking forward to meeting him. I am very, very close to Grug, so I was especially pleased he would be making an appearance at our party. Halfway through the morning, I began to peek through the windows and the doors to see if I could get a glimpse of him. I was so excited, I couldn't help myself.

At last Grug arrived, and he was so thrilled to meet all the children, he rushed forward and became stuck in the doorway. After a few anxious moments, with a shove from behind, he managed to squeeze himself through! Poor Grug - perhaps he's been eating too many biscuits at morning tea time!

Reported by CBCA Person on the Spot, Sandi Wooton (alias Grug)

Book Week Illustration Competition - August 2009

Over 150 entries were received from seven primary schools and home schools in the Illawarra. Professional artists Judy Bourke and Simon Thomas judged the entries in three categories.
Category 1:

• 1st Tiarna (homeschooler)
• 2nd Kasanni (Thirroul PS)
• 3rd Nicholas (Berkeley PS)

Category 2:

• 1st Aaron (Lindsay Park PS)
• 2nd Irene (Lindsay Park PS)
• 3rd Eden (Thirroul PS)

Category 3:

• 1st Jacob (Berkeley PS)
• 2nd Rhys (Figtree Heights PS)
• 3rd Tim (Thirroul PS)

Literary Luncheon - 31 July 2009

On Wednesday 31st July 2009 120 local school children and their teachers participated in the 2nd South Coast Illawarra CBCA Literary Luncheon at the Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow. Guests were entertained by cartoonist 'Cartoon Dave' (Dave Hackett) who taught everyone to draw 'ELVIS'. It's hard to draw when you're laughing out loud!
Authors who shared lunch with us were - Bill Condon (Give Me Truth), Sarah Davis (Mending Lucille), Kate Forsyth (The Puzzle Ring), Sandy Fussell (Samurai Kids series), Richard Harland (World Shaker), Mo Johnson (Boofheads), William Kostakis (Loathing Lola), David Legge (Parsley Rabbit's Book about Books), Felicity Pulman (Willows for Weeping), Emma Quay (Cheeky Monkey), Lisa Shanahan (My Big Birkett), Moya Simons (Walk Right In Detective Agency series), Bruce Whatley (Diary of a Wombat) and Sue Whiting (Freaky).

Southside Festival

On the Southside Festival the Illawarra South Coast CBCA presented Fiction and Fun with authors Richard Harland, Sue Whiting, Di Bates and Bill Condon.

A star attraction was the readings including verse recitation by Grace, Meg and Maryanne, who are members of our branch Book Buddies Reading Club.