Trish is a valued member of the Otago Literacy Association since the 1980’s and has provided outstanding service at a local/regional and national level. She has held positions of responsibility over the years – President of OLA for 2 years,and delegate representing Otago at Annual Meetings. She also was a member of the Conference Organising commitee in 2009. At national level Trish was a member of Executive for 3 years and also held the role of Editor of Forum, in its early days.

Trish has promoted and supported literacy widely at regional and national level: her contribution to children’s literature nationally and internationally is widely acknowledged, in addition to her work with Creative NZ and also with Storylines Trust. In 2015 Trish was awarded the Storylines Betty Gilderdale award for outstanding service in the field of children’s literature, giving recognition to the influence she has had on children’s writing in New Zealand. Subsequently, her presentation at the IBBY Congress and her inclusion in the book of selected papers that is in the process of being published by Trentham Books and imprint of the Institute of Education at University of London highlights Trish’s lengthy commitment to literacy education.

As a senior lecturer at the University of Otago’s College of Education, Trish plays an integral role in facilitating the College of Education/ Creative NZ Children’s Writer in Residence, alongside her own teaching and research. She is a passionate advocate of children’s writers in New Zealand and has published prolifically and presented to international audiences in the UK and Europe.

We are proud to have Trish still on our committee and thank her for her dedicated commitment to literacy – she willingly contributes to our activities and promotes widely the work of NZ Literacy Association for teachers, parents and students. This award acknowledges the unbounded contribution Trish has made at both local/regional and national levels. We thank Trish for her efforts and her friendship – she has supported many of us through the years on committee.