Our Leadership Team
Christopher Cheng
Regional Advisor - Australia and New Zealand
New South Wales & Queensland
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 was also the federal government Ambassador for National Literacy and Numeracy Week for four years.
Chris' website: www.chrischeng.com
Susanne Gervay
Regional Advisor - Australia and New Zealand
New South Wales & Queensland
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 & Tasmania
Corinne has been writing children's books under the pen-name of Corinne Fenton. She also writes poetry and currently has 18 books in print. She completed a Diploma of Arts (Professional Writing & Editing) in 1996.
Corinne's classic picture book 'Queenie: One Elephant's Story' illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe (published by Black Dog Books), was named an Honour Book in August 2007 in the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards. It was also a Notable book in the Information Book category. Her second picture book, 'The Dog on the Tuckerbox' (2008) has been receiving critical acclaim.
Corinne has a passion for writing children's books, especially picture books and enjoys sharing her experiences of the writing and research process with children and adults. She will have two more picture books coming out in 2009.
When not at her writing desk, Corinne is the Assistant Regional Adviser of the Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators in Australia, Victorian Branch. She was also Office Manager for the Children's Book Council of Australia, Victorian Branch for almost 9 years.
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
Amanda Graham
Coordinator - South Australia
Amanda has been writing and illustrating for for well over twenty years. Her first book, Arthur, won the UK Children's Federation Award and was short-listed for the CBC Awards.
Amanda's career has included work as a primary school teacher, waiter, barperson, out-of-school-hours care co-coordinator, piano player, freelance illustrator and illustration/drawing lecturer.
She was a Premier's Reading Challenge ambassador in SA from 2005 – 2007, promoting reading in primary schools throughout the state. 
Frances Plumpton
Coordinator - New Zealand
Frances Plumpton has always been an ardent advocate for New Zealand's children's literature and has convened both New Zealand Post and LIANZA children's book awards. After a long career as a children's librarian she is now working with Richards Literary Agency, NZ.
She is a trustee of Storylines Children's Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand and in 2006 was awarded their Betty Gilderdale Award for services to children's literature.
SCBWI Australia & New Zeland, Queensland Management Team
Pam Rushby, Tina Marie Clark, Sheryl Gwyther, Helen Ross and Prue Mason.
Pamela Rushby is a writer for children, and a producer of educational television, audio and multimedia. She has also written over 150 fiction and non-fiction books for educational publishers. www.pamelarushby.com
Tina Marie Clark's first children's book was African Orphans. She cofounded and coordinates the CYA Conference and Hatchlings, in partnership with the Brisbane Writers Festival. www.cyaconference.com
Sheryl Gwyther is an author and passionate about books for young people. She co-authored, and managed the SAVING AUSSIE BOOKS blog.. She is also an artist. www.sherylgwyther.net
Helen Ross is an author, performance poet, and is a proactive 'Books for Kids' Ambassador. She is also passionate about promoting talented independently published Australian authors. www.misshelenbooks.com
Prue Mason began her writing career in the Middle East working for a children's weekly magazine that included an "Aunt Alice' column. Her award-winning novel, 'Camel Rider', is based on her Middle east experiences www.pruemason.com
Peter Taylor is deeply involved in the children's writing community. He is a children's illustrator who also writes. His most recent book is '101 Things to Do before You Grow Up' from Hinkler Books.
Frané Lessac
Illustrator Coordinator
Frané Lessac is an author and illustrator of international renown having over thirty-five award winning children's books published throughout the world.
Born in New Jersey, Frané loves to travel and to work on books based on her worldwide journeys. She has contributed her distinctive paintings to many picture books, including On the Same Day in March (HarperCollins), The Donkey of Gallipoli (Candlewick Press) and "We Are All Born Free" celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 2010, Frané was awarded The Muriel Barwell Award for Distinguished Service to Children's Literature.
Frané's website is www.franelessac.com