Our Judges
Jackie is author of ‘Walking the Boundaries’, ‘Diary of a Wombat’ and ‘Nanberry’ and was the Australian National Children’s Laureate for 2014 and 2015.
Jackie’s writing career spans 25 years, 148 wombats, over 140 books, 36 languages, 3,721 bush rats, and over 60 awards in Australia and overseas. She is also an historian, ecologist, dyslexic, and a passionate worker for literacy, the right of all children to be able to read, and the power of books.
Jackie has been a passionate supporter and judge for Pens Against Poverty since the competition first launched.
John Foulcher
John Foulcher has written eleven books of poetry, most recently 101 Poems (PSP 2015), a selection from his previous books, and A Casual Penance (PSP 2017). His work has appeared in national magazines and anthologies for over thirty years.
In 2010-11 he was the Literature Board’s resident at the Keesing Studio in Paris; his collection, The Sunset Assumption (PSP 2012) reflects on that experience. His poetry was set for study on the NSW Higher School Certificate syllabus for an extended period of time.
Living near Canberra, he is married to Jane, has two children, Dylan and Alice.
Robyn Ewing
A former primary teacher, Robyn Ewing AM is Professor Emerita, Teacher Education and the Arts, and Co-Director, the Creativity in Research, Engaging the Arts, Transforming Education, Health and Wellbeing (CREATE) Centre, University of Sydney.
She is passionate about literature and the transformative role that the Arts can and should play in our lives and learning. Robyn has worked in partnership with Sydney Theatre Company since 2009 on the ‘School Drama’ program, aiming to ensure teachers have the expertise and confidence to embed drama-rich processes and experiences with quality literature to enhance learners’ imaginations and critical literacies.
She is currently a Board member of WestWords and a visiting scholar at Barking Gecko.
Kasy Chambers
Kasy Chambers is the Executive Director of Anglicare Australia, a national network of organisations linked to the Anglican Church (which includes every Pens Against Poverty host organisation).
Kasy is an accomplished CEO with experience in the community sector and in government. She brings experience in policy, advocacy, government relations, service provision, community development, and corporate governance.
Kasy has an honours degree in Psychology and a Masters in Business Administration. She is currently undertaking a PhD looking at the effects of marketised service delivery.
Ursula Dubosarsky
Ursula Dubosarsky was born and lives in Sydney wanted to be a writer from the age of six. She is the author of over 60 books for children of all ages, and has won many national prizes, including the NSW, Victorian, South Australian and Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards. She has also been nominated internationally for the Hans Andersen and Astrid Lindgren awards. Her most recent books are “Pierre’s Not There”, about a magic puppet show, illustrated by Christopher Nielsen and “The March of the Ants”, about the power of reading, illustrated by Tohby Riddle.
Ursula is the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2020-2021 and joins us as a guest judge for Pens Against Poverty in 2021.