The Narelle Oliver lecture was established in 2015 to raise the profile and value of children’s literature, to stimulate discussion and disseminate the results of current research on children’s literature.

In 2017 the lecture changed its name from the Book Links lecture in Children’s Literature to the Narelle Oliver Lecture  in the memory of Narelle Oliver, her impact on Children’s Literature within Queensland as well as a being a founding member of Book Links.

We are pleased to announce that guest speaker for the 2020 lecture will be the 2020-2021 Australian Children’s Laureate. This lecture will be held on Thursday 2 April at St Aidan’s Girls’ School, Corinda.  Bookings will open 12 February 2020 after the Laureate Announcement 11 February.
NOTE: Around the world people celebrate International Children’s Book Day  on 2 April, which is Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday.  A great day to join us to celebrate.
(IBBY Australiawill also be holding ICBD events on 2 and 4 April 2020 in Tasmania and NSW.)

Previous lectures:

2015 – Dr Robyn Morrow on ‘Reading the wider world: Books as bridges for young readers”.
2016 – Leigh Hobbs  on ‘The mystery of Visual Literacy, and, why humour isn’t taken more seriously’.
2017 – Libby Gleeson on ‘Books: The Possibilities for Change’.

2018 – Morris Gleitzman – Children need stories more than ever. Stories to delight, stories to beguile, stories to inspire, stories to move deeply.

2019 – Bruce Pascoe – Telling Children the Truth