Established in 1945, the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) is a not-for-profit, volunteer run organisation which aims to engage the community with literature for young Australians. In 2025 CBCA celebrates its 80th birthday in Australia.
The CBCA is made up of state branches, that work to promote literature and literacy in their state. The branches send representatives to the judging panel for the Book of the Year awards, which presents awards to books of literary merit.
One of our Qld Branch’s most successful projects is the Readers Cup competition, with over 840 teams of young readers taking part each year. We also run the Kaye Throssell Community Projects placing books into the hands of disadvantaged young people through a number of different charities.
In 2025 we look forward to another successful year celebrating 71 years of the CBCA - Qld Branch enjoying, and promoting, the best of Australian literature for children and young people.
Membership benefits include:
- Information on upcoming events
- Discounts at CBCA functions
- Discounts at supporting bookshops
- Discounted registration for Readers Cup
- Access to the Shadowing the Shortlist program. Only branch members can register groups
- Most importantly, support for Queensland Branch initiatives which in 2024 included
- Conducting the Queensland wide Readers Cup Competition with over 840 teams competing
- Merchandise and book donations to Life Without Barriers (880 books) for children and young people in foster and residential homes providing out-of-home care.
- Book donations also to Zephyr Education (522 books) for children and young people living with their mothers in women’s shelters.
- Continued support of Ronald McDonald House Charities donating suitable books for their libraries used by seriously ill or injured children and their families (75 books)
CBCA Qld Branch monthly meetings are held at Our Lady's College, Annerley. Thank you to Our Lady's for their continued support.
Secretary - qld@cbca.org.au