Media Alert
Embargoed until: 20 October 2009
Top authors awarded for excellence in
children’s language and literacy development
The decline in literacy skills over the past decade highlights the importance of
developing children’s language and literacy from an early age, according to Speech
Pathology Australia.
Speech Pathology Australia will award three authors tomorrow in Canberra for
excellence in the development of children’s speech, language and literacy skills.
“As the peak professional body for speech pathologists, we are in a unique position to
recommend books to parents that can assist children’s speech, language and literacy
development,” said Speech Pathology Australia’s national public affairs councillor,
Judith Rathmell.
“It is alarming that seven million adult Australians have literacy (reading) skills that are
inadequate to meet the demands of everyday life,” said Ms Rathmell.
Media contact:
Caroline Huze, Speech Pathology Australia on: 0402 919 839.
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WHO:
Speech Pathology Australia ‘Book of the Year Awards’
WHAT:
Book of the Year Awards Ceremony – best books for children’s
language development
The Book of the Year Awards 2009 winners are:
Ursula Dubosarsky (The Terrible Plop)
Mark Carthew (The Gobbling Tree)
Ruth Starke (Noodle Pie)
Special guest speakers include:
WIN News Canberra presenter, Jessica Good
Ms Joy Burch MLA, from the Chief Minister’s Office
WHEN:
Tuesday, 20 OCTOBER 2009 at 10.00AM – 11.30PM
WHERE:
CIVIC LIBRARY
London Circuit, Civic, ACT
INTERVIEW AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
Canberra school children listening to authors read books.
Readings of children’s books from by high profile author Ruth Starke.
Guest presentations from WIN News, Canberra, presenter, Jessica Good;
Ms Joy Burch MLA, representing the Chief Minister’s Office and Speech
Pathology Australia’s national public affairs councillor, Judith Rathmell.
Authors Ruth Starke, Mark Carthew and Ursula Dubosarsky, available for
interview to discuss the inspiration for their work and why quality children’s
literature is so important.
NEWS 
