30/11/09

Author Hazel Edwards has been awarded the 2009 ASA Medal. Established in 2003, the ASA Medal is awarded biennially in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the Australian writing community. The medal complements the ASA's main focus as an advocate for the rights of authors and illustrators. Previous winners include Glenda Adams, Inga Clendinnen, Tim Winton and Anita Heiss (in the under-35 category).

The medal was awarded by ASA Executive Director Dr Jeremy Fisher in a ceremony in Balmain on Sunday. Present were members of the ASA Committee and the ASA Membership, as well as various luminaries from the publishing world.

Hazel Edwards is a writer for children and adults with over 170 books to her name, including the children’s classic There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake.

“Creators are our dream-makers,” said Hazel in her acceptance speech, “those who suggest new perspectives, which may influence government, politics, management, health or the arts. To influence reality, dreams must be structured and shared in a format others can understand.

“This brooch is a brand of storyteller across cultures, and I accept it, on behalf of all apprentice bards with awareness of the honour paid by the ASA and the creators of this work of art.”