In 2004 Awards day was held on 4 November at Pymble Ladies College.

What a day it was! Duncan Ball, Graeme Base, Janine Dawson, Anna & Barbara Fienberg, Paul Jennings, Emily Rodda, Allan Stomann and Richard Tulloch were all there along with students from Glenhaven, Telopea, Turramurra, Wiley Park, Stanwell Park and Chatswood Public Schools, Central Coast Grammar, Meriden Junior School, St Benedicts Primary Edgeworth, St James Primary Kotara South, St Martha’s Primary Strathfield, St Thomas Aquinas Primary Springwood, Mt Annan Christian College, St Luke’s Grammar Dee Why, St Josephs Primary Kilaben Bay, Our Lady of the Way Emu Plains, Locquat Valley Christian School Bayview, St Philips Christian College Waratah and host school Pymble Ladies College.

We were so lucky to have two of the three category winners present to receive their awards in person - Graeme Base (TruckDogs) and Emily Rodda (Deltora Quest series 3). Leigh Hobbs (Old Tom ?Man of Mystery) was overseas and unable to attend.

Richard Tulloch’s reading of an extract from his book Weird Stuff had the whole auditorium laughing. It was so popular that the bookshop sold out of copies. If you don’t have it in your library take a recommendation from the 300 students at awards day and buy a copy.

For the kids from Chatswood Public School, a highlight of the day was winning an original Graeme Base illustration which he drew on stage during the ceremony. St Joseph’s Primary School won a framed picture of Selby for their school library and over 100 of the students present received a book thanks to the generosity of publishers.

Lake Macquarie Public Library won a box of books donated by Koala Books and valued at more than $200 and Thurgoona Public School (Albury), also won a book prize donated by publishers.

Special thanks go to Julia Elsey and staff and students at PLC who were a pleasure to work with and did everything possible to make it a great day.

Start planning now to attend Awards Day 2005. More information on venue and date later.