Professor Fiona Stanley AC 

Named Australian of the Year in 2003, Professor Stanley is a vocal advocate for the needs of children and their families.

Professor Stanley is the founding Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, established in Perth in 1990. The Institute is multi-disciplinary and researches prevention of major childhood illnesses. It currently has more than 450 staff and students. She is a Professor in the School of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Western Australia.

Professor Stanley is also the Chair of the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, a national collaboration of researchers, policy makers and practitioners from a broad range of disciplines who are committed to building a better future for Australia's children and young people.

In 2004, Professor Stanley was honoured as a “National Living Treasure” by the National Trust. She is the UNICEF Australia Ambassador for Early Childhood Development.

Professor Stanley has more than 300 published papers in scientific journals and is a member of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council. She has served on the Federal Government's Social Inclusion Board and the WA State Government's Indigenous Implementation Board. She has given many presentations, both nationally and internationally, on the socio-economic determinants of child health.

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Craig Silvey

Craig Silvey is an Australian novelist and musician.

Silvey grew up on an orchard at Dwellingup in the south-west of Western Australia and currently lives in Fremantle.

His debut novel, Rhubarb, was published by Fremantle Arts Centre Press in 2004. In 2005 Silvey was named as one of The Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Novelists. Rhubarb was selected as the inaugural book for the 'One Book' series of events at the 2005 Perth International Arts Festival, and was included in the Australian national ‘Books Alive’ campaign. In 2007 Silvey authored a children's book entitled The World According to Warren, a picture book starring the guide-dog from Rhubarb, illustrated by Sonia Martinez and published by Fremantle Arts Centre Press.

In early 2008, Silvey completed his second novel Jasper Jones with the aid of an Australia Council New Work Grant. Jasper Jones was published in 2009 by Allen & Unwin Australia and has since been sold in thirteen countries around the world. The film rights for the novel have been sold to Australian director Rebecca O’Brien.

Silvey is also the singer/songwriter for the indie/pop/rock band The Nancy Sikes.

Craig Silvey joins Barking Gecko Theatre Company in 2012 as Ambassador.

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