SCBWI Australian Branch - Our Leadership Team

Christopher Cheng
Regional Advisor - Australia and New Zealand

Christopher has been co-regional advisor for Australia and New Zealand since 2004. His books cover a number of genres; picture books (One child, with Steven Woolman); information books (The Eyespy Book of Party Animals); short stories (Zoo You Later, with Kerry Millard) and now historical fiction with New Gold Mountain, (My Australian Story Series).

Chris has also been a classroom teacher, Education Officer at Taronga Zoo, Children's Development manager for the Dymocks chain and Education Adviser at Purdue University (Indiana USA) developing Internet and CDROM education programs.

A passionate advocate for children's literature as well as the writers and illustrators of children's books, Christopher is also a federal government Champion for National Literacy and Numeracy Week. Chris' website: www.chrischeng.com

Susanne Gervay
Regional Advisor - Australia and New Zealand

Susanne Gervay is an award winning author who writes about life with warmth, humour and passion. The Cave, (YA) is a powerful journey into male youth identity while Butterflies (YA) is a powerful journey into female youth identity. Her best selling I Am Jack is a major book on bullying. SuperJack is an insight into changing families.

Her books are endorsed by The Children's Hospital, Life Education, The Alannah & Madeline Foundation.

That 's Why I Wrote This Song (HarperCollins) is to be released in March 2007. Susanne's website: www.sgervay.com

Corinne King
Assistant Regional Advisor - Victoria

Corinne King, who writes under the pen-name of Corinne Fenton, has been writing children’s books for the last ten years. She completed a Diploma of Arts (Professional Writing & Editing) in 1996 and since then has been writing both children’s books and poetry. Corinne’s picture book Queenie: One Elephant’s Story is due for release in August. When not at her writing desk, Corinne also worked as the Office Manager/Secretary for the Children’s Book Council’s Victorian Branch for 8 ½ years prior to taking up her new role as Victorian Co-ordinator of the SCBWI in Australia. Corinne's website is www.corinnefenton.com

Dianne Wolfer
Assistant Regional Advisor - Western Australia

Dianne is the author of eleven books for teenagers and younger readers. Her picture book, Photographs in the Mud, inspired by a trip to Papua New Guinea, is being used as a reference for international workshops promoting peaceful, 'positive discourse analysis'. Her new book for younger readers, The Kid whose Mum kept Possums in her Bra will be launched in August. Dianne loves travelling. She has lived in Bangkok, Tokyo, Western Nepal and now lives on the south coast of Western Australia. Keeping in touch with other childrens' writers & illustrators is important to her. As ARA of SCBWI Dianne looks forward to linking WA authors and illustrators with author/illustrators worldwide. Dianne's website is www.diannewolfer.com

Peter Taylor
Coordinator - Queensland

In former lives, Peter has been a science and art teacher, nature reserve warden and museum curator. He now spends his time writing and illustrating for children and adults, giving talks and workshops, and encouraging all to read, write and be creative. Peter is also Secretary of CBCA (Qld) and on the committee of Book Links – an organisation working to establish a Children's Literature Centre in Brisbane. He is the author of 'The Australian Manual of Calligraphy' and other books. His dream is to travel worldwide to meet in person all his international SCBWI and MySpace buddies. Peter's website is www.writing-for-children.com