The Leila St John Award is an annual award of the Victorian Branch of the CBCA. It is awarded for services to children's literature in Victoria. Although it is usually awarded to an individual, it may be given as a joint or group award when deemed appropriate.
It is named after Leila St John, a founding member of the Victorian Branch, who played an active role for many years. Her particular contribution was the founding and running of the annual Christmas Book Appeal from 1954. The Appeal enables the gift of a new book to all children in residential care in Victoria at Christmas. In her nineties Leila produced beautifully hand written bookplates with each child's name that were placed in each book.
The Award was first presented in 1999.
Mrs Leila St John Bea Fincher and Bishop Andrew St John Inaugural Leila St John Award 1999
Nominations
The closing date for nominations is the last Friday of November