Graham Davey Citation

About the Graham Davey Citation

The Graham Davey Citation is named in honour of the 20 years’ service that Graham Davey provided YABBA as our volunteer President.

The YABBA Council presents the Graham Davey Citation each year to a book or person that through craft or contribution has made an impact on Australian Children’s literature.

Graham Davey
YABBA President (1993 – 2013)

Recipients of the Graham Davey Citation

  • Criag Smith

    2025

  • Paul Jennings

    2024

  • Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

    2023

    Andy and Terry are the creative forces behind the beloved multiple YABBA Award-winning ‘Treehouse’ series, and the ‘Just!’ series.

    Andy Griffiths is the author over thirty books. He is a passionate advocate for literacy and was awarded the Dromkeen Medal in 2015 to honour his outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature.

    Terry Denton has been creating children’s books for over 30 years, spanning picture books and junior fiction novels. His illustrations are characterised by a crafty sense of humour, and an adventurous style.

  • Sally Rippin

    2021

    Sally Rippin is Australia’s highest-selling female author. She has written over 50 books, including the ‘BillIe B Brown’ series and ‘Polly and Buster’, and is published in eighteen countries.

    2021 marks the 10th year that Sally’s books have been shortlisted. In 2014, ‘BillIe B Brown: The Best Project’ won the YABBA for Younger Readers.

    Sally mentors many emerging creators and supports numerous worthy causes.

  • Felica Arena

    2020

    Felice Arena has an amazing body of work as an author, playwright, TV presenter and actor. A three-time YABBA Award Winner, he has had 17 books shortlisted over the years.

    Felice’s contribution to YABBA has seen him take part in the inaugural ‘In Conversation’ evening and his involvement in the YABBA Awards Ceremony has seen him involved since 2006.

  • Gabrielle Wang

    2019

    Gabrielle Wang has an impressive body of work as an author and an illustrator in junior fiction and young adult fiction. Her stories are a blend of Chinese and Western culture with a touch of fantasy.

    Gabrielle’s books have been shortlisted three times in the YABBA Awards.

  • Meredith Costain

    2018

    Meredith Costain has written hundreds of books for children across all genres, all formats and edited literature magazines for children.

    Meredith has been an incredible supporter of YABBA over many decades.

  • Hazel Edwards

    2017

    Hazel Edwards has written more than 200 books for children across all genres, all formats and more importantly has been more than 30 years in the making.

    Hazel has been an incredible supporter of YABBA over many decades.

  • Amanda and Chris Filshie

    2016

    Amanda and Chris provided YABBA incredible support and service over 10 years as Council Secretary and Website Administrator respectively.

  • Richard Bennett

    2015

    YABBA Treasurer 1985-2015

    Richard was the honorary Treasurer of YABBA from 1985 through 2015. Richard and his dedication to the YABBA ideal is the embodiment of the Graham Davey citation. A person that has made a significant voluntary contribution to the YABBA organisation beyond any calling.

  • The Dragonkeeper Series & Carole Wilkinson

    2014

    Written by Carole Wilkinson, the Dragonkeeper series is one of those series that children have just come to love. These books received nominations over many years, but never quite got to be a section winner.

  • The Very Cranky Bear

    2013

    Written and Illustrated by Nick Bland

    This book was chosen in the year of Graham’s passing as a book that linked perfectly to Graham’s dual life as YABBA President and a Storyteller.