Photo Post: PNG Independence Celebrations Brisbane

Some photo highlights of my first ever attendance at a PNG Independence day celebration anywhere. This is at Logan in Queensland. I went with my mother and brother visiting from Tasmania, as well as family and friends.

New Britain Dancers – dusted with talcum powder from audience to give them strength.

Some of my family saying hello to Central Province Dancers – best head dresses of the day.

Dance offs, I’ll see if I can dance your style. South Pacific PNG Based family.

Kairuku Dancers from areas near where my mum is from.

With my friend Helene who also attended.

Some of the nearly 1000 people that attended

Scribbles Creative Writing Award

So delighted to receive a short listing for a middle grade fiction story in the Scribbles Creative Writing Awards.

June Perkins, Chosen.

A warm congratulations to all winners, short listers, entrants and thank you to the judges for their feedback on my story.

To see the rest of the Hall of Famers and to find out more about Girl and Duck head to website.

For Our Children – The Illustrative World of Helene Magisson

An interview with the illustrator for Magic Fish Dreaming.

“When June approached me I really liked the fact that she highlighted one of my illustrations I called “For our Children”. It is an illustration I did a little bit after the terrorist attack in France.

There are nine children coming from all over the world (India, Pakistan, France, Ireland, Australia, Kenya…), children I have met in the different countries I have been living in or visited, and they are altogether, smiling, teasing, hugging. There are in peace and happy.

June liked it for its multicultural dimension. She wanted to highlight that in the project and that really touched me.

I love the idea to mix Aboriginal, Italian, Torres Strait, English, and Australian children.

It is poetry for all and everyone in a beautiful and peaceful environment.

I feel so fortunate that this project came to me.”

Magic Fish Dreaming

For Our Children

Helene Magisson is a Children’s book illustrator, who graduated from the painting restoration school “Art et Avenir”, Paris (France).

She was also trained in the art of medieval illumination, exhibiting her work in Europe and teaching the history and techniques of medieval miniature in primary and high schools, both in France and in India, where she lived for a few years.

When Helene settled down in Australia, she decided to start a new career in children’s book illustration. Her numerous trips in Europe and Asia, as well as her childhood spent in Africa inspire and enrich her work. She believes that travelling is a fantastic source of inspiration.

Helene was awarded the first prize in the illustration category at the 2013 CYA conference. She has illustrated her first book, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco.

Helene in India