Our board members are a fantastic group of word enthusiasts who work hard at making our centre the best it could possibly be. They are dedicated to ensure the longevity of centres such as ours and are always thinking up new ideas to help the writing communities that we serve.
Chair: Sophie Masson
Sophie is the award-winning author of over 50 books for children, young adults and adults, published in Australia and overseas. She's served on the Literature Board of the Australia Council and the Board of the Australian Society of Authors, and is currently also President of the New England and North West sub-branch of the Children's Book Council of NSW. 
Treasurer: Peter Creamer
Peter is a Rolls Royce trained, professionally qualified mechanical engineer, who has worked at a senior executive level in a number of organisations in the private and public sector in the UK, South Africa, Singapore and Australia. He brings substantial experience in running commercial entities to the NEWC where he looks forward to making a significant contribution as a Board member. He has also worked in the publishing sector where his strengths lie in overall client management, marketing and book production. Having emigrated to Australia eight years ago, he recently moved to Armidale and with his wife, Kathy, has set up Little Pink Dog Books, specializing in picture books for children. 
Kathy is a children’s illustrator and writer who has been published by Oxford University Press, Reed International, Julia Gabriel Communications, September 21 and other organisations.
She has an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from the renowned Cambridge School of Art at Anglia Ruskin University in England. Kathy has also run her own successful publishing company in the UK, where she published some 16 books for a range of high net-worth private clients. Having emigrated to Australia eight years ago, she recently moved to Armidale and with her husband, Peter, has set up Little Pink Dog Books. 
Mardi Alexander
Mardi lives in rural New South Wales, on a property with her partner, a myriad of cats and dogs, cattle, and the odd orphaned or injured native animal. When not working full time, Mardi is also a volunteer fire fighter, fire fighting instructor and a member of a local wildlife rescue service. Mardi is the first Australian author to be published with Bold Strokes Books (New York), the largest international LGBTQ publisher in the world. |
Deputy Chair: Beattie Alvarez
Beattie's special talent is reading in the shower, however she has learnt that it has to be a book of less than 120,000 words because she has small hands. 
Inhouse Designer
Trish Donald Trish is a graphic designer/artist/illustrator who enjoys painting landscapes, creating characters and other artworks, all of which she has exhibited locally. Trish taught graphic design for many years at TAFE and is currently enjoying designing for online education at the University of New England. 
Tamworth Liason: Lyn Grace
Born in Coffs Harbour, I moved to the Northern Tablelands and ran a cattle property with my late husband Greg for twenty seven years. Living in Tamworth now, I have come on board as the NEWC Liaison Officer for the Tamworth district. I have been a writer of sorts for as long as I can remember, and have just finished my third novel- and am currently working on the fourth. I have two wonderful daughters living close by. 
Consultant to the board: John Walker
John is Executive Chairman of Infrastructure, Utilities and Renewables Asia for Macquarie Capital and also Chairman of Macquarie Group of Companies, Korea. He became a Member of the Order of Australia in 1999 for services to economic reform and the design of the transportation plan for the Sydney Olympics 2000. He has also received a Presidential citation in Korea for his contribution to the development of Korean capital markets. On the community front John has written two best-selling children’s books and has donated all proceeds to environmental organizations. He has also recently released a music album ‘12 Bridges’ which is available on iTunes with sales to be donated to Philippine Red Cross to support Typhoon Yolanda victims. Workshop Co-ordinator: Tom Penrose
Minutes secretary and Public Officer: Paul Prenter Sandra Welsman Jane O'Sullivan Mel Woods Frances Letters |
