Do you love Australian Literature?

Join the YABBA Council

Help Celebrate the Books Australian Kids Love to Read!

The Young Australians Best Book Awards (YABBA) Council is looking for passionate, skilled volunteers to help us grow and continue celebrating Australian children's literature.

Do you have a love for books and a desire to support young readers and Australian creators? Join our council and be part of a national movement that empowers children to choose the books they love — and honour the authors and illustrators who inspire them.

🌟 Who We're Looking For:

We welcome new members with enthusiasm and experience in any of the following areas:

  • 🎨 Content Creator
    Help us create engaging digital content — from short videos and author highlights to fun graphics and animations. Ideal for someone with skills in video editing, social media content, or visual storytelling who wants to bring the magic of Australian children’s books to life online.

  • 📘 Book Keeper
    Support our Treasurer by helping with simple, clear financial record-keeping. A great role for someone with bookkeeping experience or confidence in managing numbers.

  • 🌐 Website Manager
    Help us keep the YABBA website up to date and running smoothly. Web design or basic content management skills (Squarespace experience is a bonus!) are ideal.

  • 🎉 Events Manager
    Help plan and coordinate our events throughout the year — especially our exciting end-of-year YABBA Awards Ceremony.

  • 🤝 Marketing & Relationships Team
    We're seeking people to help us connect with schools, publishers, libraries, families, and readers across the country. You might like to focus on one age group (e.g. Picture Story Books or Year 7–9) or a specific community.

  • 🎤 Awards Ceremony Volunteers
    Be part of the team behind our biggest event of the year. We need helpers in both the lead-up and on the day to ensure the event is a success.

  • 🎤 Technical Support – Online Sessions
    Help manage the technical aspects of our YABBA Online Sessions, including setting up Webex and StreamYard, screen sharing, session recording, and troubleshooting on the day. This is a great role for someone who is calm under pressure and confident with virtual platforms.

  • ⚖️ Legal Volunteer
    Provide occasional legal guidance to ensure YABBA meets basic legal and compliance obligations as a not-for-profit organisation. A great role for a legal professional wanting to contribute their expertise to a meaningful cause.

  • 🔐 Privacy Volunteer
    Help us maintain high standards of data privacy and security. Assist with reviewing our policies, practices, and tools to protect student and school data in line with Australian privacy law.

💬 What’s Involved

  • We hold monthly online council meetings throughout the year. You're not required to attend every meeting — but we'd love regular updates on your area, ideas, progress, or requests for help.

  • You can be based anywhere in Australia — our council is friendly, flexible, and passionate.

  • Most importantly, you’ll need a love of Australian children’s literature and a desire to help grow its impact.

❤️ Why Join?

  • Support the next generation of readers and thinkers

  • Help amplify the voices of Australian authors and illustrators

  • Gain experience in nonprofit leadership, event planning, publishing, or education sectors

  • Join a team of like-minded, book-loving volunteers

Interested in joining?
Please email us at michelle.bentley@yabba.org.au with a short introduction, your area(s) of interest, and any relevant experience. We’d love to hear from you!