About Helen

I've always had a wild imagination. My books draw upon my background as a journalist, teacher and lecturer ensuring they are full of interesting facts as well as fantastical fiction using Australian characters.

I have taught children and adults of all ages, but specialise in high school English. I have written and published a range of teaching resources to help promote a love of literature in young people and written books that adults loved as children, and are now purchasing for their own children.

As a busy mother, author and teacher, I also run paper art workshops for the community and schools and still take the time to respond individually to letters from readers and I have kept all the drawings and letters received over the years. 

I took a break from teaching a few years ago to run the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival. Inspired by all the wonderful authors I met I decided to publish some of the books I had written many years before, and work on my own writing some more. Consequently I left the festival position and returned to writing and part-time teaching this year.

Awards

South West Media Awards for Excellence in Journalism: Environment Award 1993 commendation.

CSIRO Science and Environment Award 1994: Certificate of commendation for environmental reporting.

John Tonkin Greening Award: Endeavour Award 1995 for journalism boosting conservation and the establishment of native vegetation in WA.

National Award for Newspapers In Education, Youth Express.

2015 Semi Finalist Western Australian Regional Achievement and Community Awards Curtin University Teaching Excellence Award


2016 Semi Finalist Western Australian Regional Achievement and Community Awards Curtin University Teaching Excellence Award