National Library of Australia - Gateways

ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 61 | February 2003


Mem Fox: A Celebration

Mem Fox signing copies of the celebration publication
Mem Fox signing copies of the celebration publication

Each year, the Friends of the National Library of Australia celebrate the work of an eminent figure in the world of Australian literature and publishing, someone who has made an outstanding contribution in their field. In the last few years, the Friends have honoured such diverse personalities as David Malouf, Michael Leunig, Rosemary Dobson, Katharine Brisbane and Tim Winton. In 2002 the life and work of one Australia’s, and the world’s, most revered and popular children’s authors, Mem Fox, was recognised.

In the 20 years that Mem has been writing, she has produced 26 picture books, several autobiographical works, some vigorous guides for teachers and parents, and many essays and papers. She is the author of the mega-selling Possum Magic, which many years ago passed the million copies sold mark, and which remains Australia’s most popular school library book 19 years after its initial publication. The accolades bestowed upon Mem include the 1990 Dromkeen Medal for distinguished services to children’s literature; an Advance Australia Award in 1991 for her outstanding contribution to Australian literature; a medal in the 1993 Australia Day Honours Awards for services to the cultural life of Australia; and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Wollongong in 1996. She is a household name in many countries, one of the 10 authors most loved by Americans, and one of Australia’s top-earning authors.

Mem Fox with Professor Belle Alderman and members of the audience
Mem Fox with Professor Belle Alderman and members of the audience

Mem Fox: A Celebration compiled by Jennifer Moran, literary editor for the Canberra Times, and published by the National Library to mark the occasion, brings together four essays that pay tribute to the author, her passion, creativity and flamboyance. A contributor herself, Jennifer explores the influences that shaped Mem, and saw her emerge as a successful writer; Belle Alderman, Professor of Children’s Literature at the University of Canberra, analyses the qualities that underpin Mem’s writing, qualities closely linked to the author’s beliefs as an educator and a storyteller; Julie Vivas, whose striking illustrations adorn several of Mem’s books, tells of her creative relationship with Mem and her admiration for her; and Jane Covernton, Mem’s first editor and publisher, writes of how impressed she was by Mem’s theatrical drive, and her ability to immerse her readers into the emotional content of her books. All four contributors recognise that the special attributes of Mem’s stories charm not only children, but also the adults who read those stories aloud.

On 1 December, nearly 200 people came to the National Library for the launch by Professor Belle Alderman of Mem Fox: A Celebration.  The audience were greeted by a foyer and theatre decked out with balloons and lollies, making for a very colourful spectacle. But for spectacle, there is no surpassing Mem herself: we were familiar with her background in theatre, but nothing prepared us for the performance she delivered. Her superb acceptance speech and subsequent reading from her most recent book The Magic Hat had the entire audience mesmerised and eating out of her hand, and Mem deftly controlled their every emotional response. Later that afternoon, while she signed hundreds of books, her charm and charisma left no doubts that we were in the presence of someone very special, with her own particular brand of magic.
—James Halligan, Executive Officer, Friends of the National Library of Australia

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