Meet our Committee

Liz Bowring

President

I strongly believe in the importance of our children experiencing our Australian identity through their reading. Being on the committee means I can help facilitate this by enhancing community knowledge of our writers and illustrators. 

Wendy Rapee

Vice President & NSW Board Director

Wendy is also current Chair, National Board of CBCA. 

Her career in educational publishing has spanned over 30 years. Most recently Wendy was General Manager at PETAA and has performed CBCA roles as Merchandise Coordinator (both on the NSW National Executive and on the National Board), and as the NSW National Board Member. 

Gail Erskine

Past President

I am passionate about the rights of all children to access quality Literature, be inspired by authors and illustrators and informed by teacher-librarians. I have  been a member of CBCA NSW Branch since 1990.

Alison Manno

Treasurer

My passion for the work CBCA NSW does to advance childrens literature in NSW is paramount. Having a young grandson myself, I understand the importance of children enjoying reading. My accounting background allows me to help the organisation in my capacity as Treasurer.

Sue Bates

Secretary

I have been an educator in Catholic Schools for 43 years. During that time, I have been a classroom teacher, Teacher-Librarian, Assistant Principal and Principal. For many years I supported the CBCA NSW Branch Southern Sub-branch which was very active and have wonderful memories of the children's events that we held. 

Toni Field OAM

Public Officer

The CBCA NSW Branch committee provides me with an avenue to enjoy my love of literature especially children’s literature and to have a small part in sharing it with others.

Laurel Reynolds

Committee Member

Due to a love of literature Laurel worked for many years as a Teacher Librarian and now enjoys sharing excellent books with preschool children. What fun!

Denise Cramsie

Committee Member

I was a Teacher-Librarian for 27 years before retiring in 2008. For most of that time, and ever since, I have been a member of the CBCA NSW Branch. I was a co-convenor of the Southern Suburbs Sub-Branch of the NSW Branch.  I was President of NSW Branch for three years and  a judge of the Picture Book Category for the Book of the Year Awards 2019. 

Jackie Hawkes

Committee Member

When I retired, I couldn't give up my interests in kids, learning and children's literature so I joined the CBCA NSW Branch committee. I currently coordinate KIDS' CORNER! and I love involving others in contributing ideas for kids (of all ages) related to reading, writing, thinking and encouraging happy reading!     

Terry Fahy

Committee Member

At the age of 3 I had decided to become a librarian - books and reading have always been my passion, as has the sharing of tales via storytelling.

Cathy Drury

Committee Member

I joined the committee as the CBCA is an organization that I really believe in and support in my role as a primary school Teacher Librarian. I wanted to be able to contribute my knowledge of what is currently happening in schools and so that the CBCA will continue to flourish and thrive.

Vivienne Nicoll-Hatton

Committee Member

I am a long-standing member of the CBCA NSW and its President decades ago. I believe in this era of technology it is more important than ever that we help teacher-librarians and teachers of literacy to bring to every child the benefits of reading quality literature.