SLAV wish to acknowledge the huge contribution to reading and writing made by the Australian author John Marsden who died this month. John's books, particularly, the series Tomorrow when the war began made readers of non-readers and were devoured by readers in general. He was generous with his encouragement of teachers and young writers to find their passion and engage in the craft. John supported the environment purchasing the Tye Estate with its acres of natural bush in regional Victoria and preserving it as much as possible. On this site he also established  a small innovative school, Candlebark. 

(2005 Image taken by River)