Patricia Mullins awarded Dromkeen Medal 2012

Artist Patricia Mullins will be awarded the 2012 Dromkeen Medal in a presentation at the State Library of Victoria, the new home of the Scholastic Dromkeen Children’s Literature Collection.

The Dromkeen Medal is an annual award and the presentation on Wednesday 20 March will recognise Patricia’s significant contribution to the appreciation and development of children’s literature inAustralia.

Patricia is an award-winning author and illustrator of more than 30 children’s books including Hattie and the fox, V for vanishing and Lightning Jack.  

Sue Roberts, CEO and State Librarian, will present the medal to Patricia:

Patricia is an outstanding recipient. Her illustrations have brought text alive, engaging readers both young and old. Patricia’s work is tangible evidence of her talent and represents a major contribution to Australian children’s literature. 

We are very proud to celebrate Patricia, whose connection with Dromkeen spans 40 years, the original artwork from Lightning Jack was the last exhibition at Dromkeen. The Library is pleased that we now have the original artwork from Only a donkey here at the State Library to preserve and exhibit for future generations to enjoy.

In February 2012, the Dromkeen Board of Governors, Scholastic Australia, presented the State Library of Victoria with the entire collection of the Dromkeen National Centre for Picture Book Art, which is now known as the Scholastic Dromkeen Children’s Literature Collection.

The internationally significant collection consists of approximately 7500 original artworks and illustrations from prepublication material of many ofAustralia’s best loved children’s books.  The collection also includes a historical book collection, six bronze sculptures of picture book characters – two of which have been installed on the Library’s forecourt and one outside the Library’s La Trobe Reading Room – and the Dromkeen archive.

The Library will build and exhibit the collection, enable research and continue programs onsite and online to support literacy among young people.

The medal was designed by Robert Ingpen and depicts the Dromkeen Homestead, a sickle moon and boughs of native wattle.

-ENDS-

Information for editors:

The Dromkeen National Centre for Picture Book Art collection was founded by Courtney and Joyce Oldmeadow at the historic ‘Dromkeen’ homestead in Riddell’s Creek in 1973.

Dromkeen quickly became a haven for illustrators and authors and attracted many thousands of school students and teachers.  Joyce Oldmeadow’s vision of ‘bringing children and books together’ saw the implementation of inspiring educational programs and teacher development workshops. Within a few years, their efforts had received international recognition, winning the Eleanor Fargeon Award for contributions to children’s literature.

Following Joyce Oldmeadow’s death in 2001, her daughter, Kaye Keck, took on Directorship of Dromkeen until her own passing in 2010, after which her brother, John Oldmeadow, assumed the role.

In 1982, Scholastic Australia became the Trustee for the Collection and has overseen the ongoing acquisition, preservation and exhibition of original artworks.  The company also ensured the continuation of the education programs, as well as general upkeep of the property.