Authors in the Garden

School children from across Toowoomba will get the chance to meet some of Australia's finest authors during Authors in the Garden at the University of Southern Queensland on Tuesday 8 May 2007.

Held in the Japanese Garden, Authors in the Garden is part of the Voices on the Range festival.

'Authors in the Garden was started last year by Margy Heuschele, who is the young person's liaison at the Toowoomba City Council Library,' Education lecturer Shauna Petersen said.

'I went along last year to see what was involved and thought it was a good way USQ could build partnership with the community.'

Close to 100 primary school children will wander the Japanese Garden, hearing from some of their favourite authors, including Ursula Dubosarsky and Duncan Ball.

'The wider public will be given access to the various authors from across Australia and for the children it will give them the chance to talk to them and also look at the books,' Mrs Petersen said.

'These authors will include Ursula Dubosarsky, who has published a number of award-winning books for children and young adults and is regarded as one of the most talented writers in Australia.

'Last year there were about 100 children there, and we are hoping for more this year.'

USQ pre-service teachers will also be involved in the event and will help to keep the children entertained throughout the afternoon.

'As part of their assessment for the literacy education course about 50 third year pre-service teachers have prepared different activities to entertain the children.

'It is an opportunity for pre-service educators to engage with the wider community and also help take literacy to the community.'

Authors in the Garden runs from 3:30pm to 5pm this afternoon in the Japanese Garden at USQ. Media are welcome to attend the event.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628