Thank you Jacinta Lou and Hello Amy Jobson

There are many wonderful people who turn the wheels of SCBWI AustraliaEast. One role that is important, is the New Books and Awards Coordinator. Each month they collate SCBWI member publication and award successes onto our blog and FB for all the world to see, which then is raved about by Jemima Parker, who compiles our monthly newsletter.

Jacinta has decided to step down from her position and we would love to thank her for all her time, effort and care in helping the world know about our members’ success! You have been amazing.

Taking over from Jacinta will be Amy Jobson. Amy is a writer based on the beautiful NSW/QLD border. She recently won the JWFK Pitch It! 2023 competition in Picture Books and is an active member of her SCBWI critique group. After graduating with an Honours degree and thesis publication in Psychology, Amy switched gears and launched into the freelance world of presenting, acting, and writing in film and television production. She made young Amy leap for joy as a performer on Movie World’s main street and as part of the AD team on a Marvel film. Amy lives by the ocean with her husband, two divine daughters, and Aussie Shepherd Howie where they run a 4X4 business and squeeze in surfing and camping. Amy is currently submitting children's picture books and loves to connect with other creatives. You can find her on Instagram @amy_jobson or check out her website www.amyjobson.com.au

Welcome to the New SCBWI Tas Leadership Team

After nine years steering the good ship SCBWI Tasmania, the wonderful and hard-working Anne Morgan has decided to step down. She has done a truly exceptional job of creating the SCBWI Tas branch from scratch and we will always be grateful for her time, energy and ideas in creating such a vibrant community.

We would love to welcome Fiona Levings and Reena Balding, who will be co-cordinators in leading Tassie creators. Here’s a little more about them:

Fiona Levings is a Hobart-based geologist turned author/illustrator who draws inspiration from the Tasmanian environment, community and family connections. Working as an independent creator, her first book, The Moonbow was inspired directly by the beauty (and fickleness) of the Tasmanian landscape; her second, Now and Then, captures a piece of local history. Fiona was honoured to be selected as the 2020 Ian Wilson Memorial Fellow by the May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust and Now and Then has been recognised as a Notable book in the Eve Pownall (non-fiction) category of the 2020 CBCA Awards. Fiona has a PhD in geology, many years experience working in industries strange and unfamiliar and is passionate about supporting her local creative community. Follow Fiona on Facebook and Instagram @TheMoonbowMaker or visit her webpage fionalevings.com.au

Fiona says: I'm looking forward to building upon the amazing foundations created by Anne Morgan here in Tasmania. I want SCBWI Tasmania to continue its work to connect and support our local community of creators, providing opportunities for them to hone their craft, develop new skills, and share their work. 

Reena Balding has been a storyteller, a yoga teacher, a locally engaged Australian diplomat and a newspaper sub-editor and is now a publisher with Aboriginal Studies Press. She has been writing for children for around 10 years and her first non-fiction picture book, a collaboration with a Tasmanian Elder, is coming out with Magabala Books in 2025. Reena has also produced a CD of original songs in English and Indonesian which she launched at the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival. Reena lives in Hobart with her husband, two kids and a dog. In her spare time Reena tries to explore Tasmania by bushwalking, camping, diving and caving throughout as much of it as she can. She also teaches yoga to adults and children now and then.

Reena says: As a Tasmanian I try to be ready for anything, like the opportunity to work with Fiona to lead SCBWI Tas. SCBWI has a great committee and many talented and keen members in Tassie and I’m excited for the year ahead. 

Welcome to both Fiona and Reena! Very exciting times ahead!