Our Story

YABBA is a not-for-profit volunteer-run incorporated organisation working to bring Australian books alive for children.

Our ultimate goal is to have children Recommend, Read, Rate and Reward their favourite Australian books.

Watch this video and learn all about YABBA.

  • The Young Australians Best Book Awards (YABBA) were established in 1985 by a group of Victorians keen to see children engage in reading Australian books. Run by a volunteer committee, our goal after all these years is still the same.

  • We seek to give children a voice within the Australian children’s book industry. 

    The YABBA Awards encourages children to recommend recently published Australian books, read all the recommendations for their peers, rate them against all others, and finally reward the book they feel is best.

  • Our final goal is that whilst engaging children in this process, the wider children’s book industry hears the voice of the very people they are writing for – the children! We facilitate this message delivery through the connection of authors and illustrators to the children via shortlist announcements and the annual awards ceremony.

Meet the YABBA Council

  • Michelle Nye in the State library of Victoria

    Michelle Nye

    PRESIDENT

    Michelle has been a member of the YABBA Council for 8 years and president for 4 years. Michelle is a believer in the power of student voice and YABBA gives our young readers exactly that! As a passionate educator, she has spent twenty-four years helping her students to develop an awareness of Australian authors and illustrators.

  • YABBA Council Member, Liz Murray.

    Liz Murray

    SECRETARY

    Liz is a teacher, author and library director. She loves YABBA because it's aaaaaall about the kids participating by reading and reviewing their favourite books. Elizabeth thinks picture books are the best books. All other books wish they were picture books, she says!

  • Matthew Zbaracki, YABBA Council Member, on channel 9 game show, Millionaire Hot Seat.

    Matthew Zbaracki

    TREASURER

    Matthew is the State Head of Victoria in the National School of Education with Australian Catholic University. He loves being a part of YABBA—seeing what books children choose and working with different authors and illustrators. He also loves reading humorous children’s literature.

  • Robyn Donoghue, Council Member at YABBA.

    Robyn Donoghue

    VIRTUAL AUTHOR PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR

    A Library and ICT Technician at Tucker Road Bentleigh Primary School, Robyn manages the school's library and STEAM program. The focus of her library program and space is on engaging students and encouraging them to read for pleasure. Robyn loves organising fun and engaging literary festivals and book launches.

  • , council member at Anne Devenish, a YABBA Council member, speaking to a room full of people.

    Anne Devenish

    AWARDS CONVENOR

    As a teacher and librarian, Anne and has worked in public, school, TAFE, industry, and state libraries, has been the Director of the Inaugural Kimberley Writers Festival and the Assistant Director of the Northern Territory Library. She is passionate about making libraries connected, warm, community spaces.

  • Abigail Cini from YABBA, reading in the sunshine

    Abigail Cini

    SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

    Abigail Cini is a Publishing Assistant and Junior Editor in children’s book publishing. As a part of YABBA, she delights in seeing what books children are reading and their favourite picks. In her free time, Abigail likes to bake, go to the cinemas and explore walking trails.

  • Caz Goodwin

    CREATOR SUPPORT

    Caz is an award-winning author who aims to write stories that make kids laugh, think and dream. She heads the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) in Victoria and is an Australia Reads ambassador. She is passionate about children’s literature and the role YABBA plays to engage Aussie kids in books and reading.

  • Michelle Bentley laying on the floor reading and her black dog called Mandee sneaking in for some attention.

    Michelle Bentley

    MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

    Michelle is an IT consultant specialising in change, she lives for finding the best ways to make technology work for everyone. Science fiction is her favourite reading and she tries her best every day to put science fiction references in to meetings and PowerPoint presentations.

Join or Donate to show your support.

As a membership-based not-for-profit organisation, we seek the support of schools and libraries across Victoria in providing the financial resources necessary for this vital work. 
Join or donate today to show your support!

Donate now

From the Authors

  • “I love the YABBA Awards! They're the thing I look forward to the most."

    Andy Griffiths

  • “It's a huge,huge reward to be acknowledged by the actual readers you are writing for!"

    Felice Arena

  • “The YABBA Awards. I think they're the best part of the job."

    Oliver Phommavanh

YABBA Past Presidents

Being the YABBA President is both an honour and an enormous workload. We acknowledge these people's incredible contributions and dedication as past YABBA Presidents.

BEATRICE FINCHER
President: 1985 – 1992

GRAHAM DAVEY
President: 1993 – 2013

DAVID LINKE
President: 2013 – 2020

YABBA Life Members

The YABBA Council acknowledges individuals who have made a profound and sustained contribution to our organisation by granting them Life Membership.

BEATRICE FINCHER
President: 1985 – 1992

RICHARD BENNETT
Treasurer: 1985 – 2015

Annual Reports