Ron Gorman has extensive experience in teaching and leading a diversity of schools in WA and Victoria. Ron has also presented nationally, on reading, writing and children’s literature, and has edited and contributed to numerous publications. Ron’s broad, deep interests in the arts has involved him in many organisations related to children, literature and the importance of reading. He is past-Chair and current Board member of the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation, advocating for Australian authors and illustrators. Ron has also recently been awarded a Doctor of Education by Edith Cowan University for his contributions to the wider education community.

Hajnalka Molloy is a nationally certified Highly Accomplished Teacher and one of Australia’s leading voices in school library advocacy, with over 25 years of experience working across primary and secondary education in South Australia. Her work combines deep classroom expertise with strategic leadership at state and national levels to strengthen the visibility, value, and impact of school libraries in improving literacy, information literacy, wellbeing, and equity. As President of the School Library Association of South Australia (SLASA), Hajnalka has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing advocacy strategies that influence policy, inform decision-makers, and build public understanding of the importance of dual-qualified Teacher Librarians. She has led initiatives such as the School Libraries in South Australia Census with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). Nationally, Hajnalka has spent more than a decade contributing to the Students Need School Libraries campaign, advocating for the essential role of qualified library staff in every Australian school, and is one of the founding members of the Australian Coalition of School Libraries, when it began as FAIR: School Libraries in 2015. Known for her evidence-informed, practical, and collaborative approach, Her work continues to inspire and equip others to champion the message that every student deserves access to a thriving, well-staffed school library.

Briony Stewart is the author and illustrator of several award-winning books for children, including Kumiko and the Shadow Catchers, winner of the 2012 Queensland State Literature prize for children’s fiction. Briony lectures on children’s literature at university and conducts talks and workshops with children across Australia. Briony is confident in talking about all aspects of creating children’s books, to any audience and nearly always includes some live-illustration fun in her presentations!