Community
29 August, 2025
Derri’ graduate takes home Book of the Year
A DERRINALLUM High School alumna has taken out a high honour last week as Australia marked Children’s Book Week.
As part of the celebrations, the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) presented six awards to Australian authors and illustrators as a way of celebrating contributions to children’s literature while promoting reading for young Australians.
Among this year’s recipients were Derrinallum High School graduate Fay Muir and Sue Lawson, who were named as winners of the Eve Pownall Award for Information Books for their book ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’.
This award, named after late CBCA donor Eve Pownall, was established in 1988 and recognises information books targeted towards audiences aged from birth to 18.
The duo received the award at an event held at the National Library of Australia on Friday, August 15.
Ms Muir said the book focuses on the stories of elders from as far back as the colonisation of Australia and their fight to shape Australia.
“It’s about all the struggles they went through and lived through to make our life a lot better today,” she said.
“It’s something that gives the kids a small snippet of each and every one of those people, and then they go on a longer journey of learning about what they did – it’s an ongoing learning book for the kids to take upon themselves to learn more in their own time.
“It was probably 10 years ago when all this started – me writing children’s books – because I didn’t see enough of First Nations stories about Victorians here in Victoria.
“It all started with a phone call from a publisher to see if I’d like to write with Sue and I said yes.
“It’s been something that’s been a fun time getting together – we write together, laugh a lot, drink plenty of cups of tea and we actually get books published.
“It’s been a great time for children’s books out there for all children to learn about First Nations culture.”
Ms Lawson said the collaboration between her and Ms Muir has been an “incredible journey”.
“It’s an absolute joy to work with Fay, and her trust with me in sharing her culture and trusting me to help her get the message out there – I’m just very lucky,” she said.
“We met through my publisher Mary Anne Valentine.
“She said she wanted me to write with an elder she knew and introduced us, and that was that. That was the end of everything.
“We grew up in country Victoria – she grew up around Mortlake and I grew up in Hamilton.
“We both grew up on farms and we haven’t stopped talking since.”
Ms Muir said she looked back fondly on her time at Derrinallum High School, being among some of the early students attending.
“I lived in Dundonnell and used to take the bus to school, which would take over an hour,” she said.
“That is where I was told – when I was in cookery class – that I’d never make anything of myself.
“I’d like to see the teachers that said that now to say, ‘look what I’ve got – I have a double degree and I’m writing kids’ books, so I have done something with my life'.
“I’ve still got friends from when I went to school there, so it’s great to still have that connection to Derrinallum.”
Ms Lawson said, when they were advised ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ was going to be announced as the winner of this year’s Eve Pownall award, her and Ms Muir were “absolutely thrilled”.
“It recognises our writing but, more importantly, it recognises the topic that is so dear to our heart,” she said.
“Spreading the knowledge of what the First Nations have done, how they have been treated and how they continue to try for a better life for all Australians.”
Ms Muir said she struggled to contain her excitement when they were notified back in July.
“It was very hard to not let it loose to family members until the day,” she said.
“I had a son who drove up to be with me on the Friday and stayed for the ceremony.
“It was a pleasure to have him with me.”
Read More: Derrinallum