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Local Author Shortlisted for Book of the YearLocal author and GippsTAFE teacher Catherine Bateson is one of six authors shortlisted for the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award for Younger Readers. By GippsTAFE - 10th May 2006 - Back to News The prestigious nomination is for her 2005 novel, Millie and the Night Heron (University of Queensland Press), which has recently been accepted for publication in the USA.
The book follows the journey of Millie, a 12 year-old girl who moves to Gippsland when her mother accepts a job in the area. Faced with new surroundings, a different school, the task of turning strangers into friends and the mystery of a boy with the initials R.H., Millie bravely confronts change and reminds us that unexpected joy can come from the unknown.
Ms. Bateson, who teaches writing skills in the GippsTAFE Professional Writing and Editing Course, hopes that the nomination will inspire her students to create their own literary masterpiece. "We all have a story to tell," she said. "You just have to believe in your ability to put pen to paper and write what you know." Her own story, although fictional, was inspired by the conversations she shared with her young daughter.
"It’s quite an achievement," said fellow GippsTAFE teacher and co-ordinator Heather Cupples. "Ms. Bateson is nominated alongside some of Australia’s favourite authors, including Paul Jennings and Morris Gleitzman. We wish her the very best of luck for the announcement on Friday August 18."
The nomination is not the first accolade for Ms. Bateson, who previously won the same award in 2003 for Rain May and Captain Daniel (University of Queensland Press). Her most recent book, a verse novel titled His Name in Fire (University of Queensland Press) was released in April to positive reviews and was recently recommended by the Weekend Australian.
If you would like to develop your own writing skills, GippsTAFE offers Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing. Please contact the Yallourn campus on 5127 0277 for more information.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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