What’s On

Descended from the Bigambul people of South-West Queensland, Dub Leffler is one of Australia’s most sought after illustrators of children’s literature. He has written two books for children and is currently illustrating his 23rd title. Dub’s work has afforded him travel to places as diverse as remote Australia, Europe, Indonesia and America and his illustrations are now in permanent collection in The National Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

In 2019, Dub won The Eve Pownall Award for Book of the Year from the Children’s Book Council of Australia, for Sorry Day. 2020 will see the release of two books Dub has illustrated – Rocky & Louie, written by Raewyn Caisley and Phil Walley-Stack, and Strangers On Country, written by Kirsty Murray and Dave Hartley. Dub is currently illustrating Our Dreaming written by Kirli Saunders.

Gabbie Stroud is a writer and recovering teacher. After years of juggling the demands of the primary classroom, she became disenchanted and disillusioned, eventually making the painful decision to leave the profession she had loved. In 2016, her critical commentary of Australia’s education system was published in Griffith Review’s Edition 51 Fixing the System, which went on to be shortlisted for a Walkley Award. Gabbie’s first novel, a Young Adult fiction—Measuring Up—was published by Scribe in 2009.

Gabbie’s smash-hit memoir Teacher was shortlisted for Biography Book of the Year at the 2018 ABIA Awards and has contributed to the national dialogue on education. Her latest book, Dear Parents, is a passionate call to arms for all parents. Gabbie lives on the far south coast of New South Wales, where she co-parents her totally awesome girls—Olivia and Sophie.

Nardi Simpson is a Yuwaalaraay writer, musician, composer and educator from North West NSW freshwater plains. A founding member of Indigenous folk duo Stiff Gins, Nardi has been performing nationally and internationally for 20 years. Her debut novel, Song of the Crocodile was a 2018 winner of a black&write! writing fellowship.

Benjamin Gilmour has worked as a qualified paramedic for more than 20 years. He is also an author and the writer / director of three feature films. His film Jirga was Australia’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar this year and won the Best Independent Film at the AACTA Awards and a NSW Premier’s Award for Best Screenplay. The Gap is Benjamin’s fifth book. He is based in Bangalow where he lives with his wife Kaspia and three children.