ASLA Conferences and Citations

Date Conference title Host venue SCIS Oration ASLA Citation
1987 ASLA X - In perspective, the past ... the future Hobart Margaret Chishols - President ALA (inaugural ASCIA address) Beth Legge (ACT)
1989 ASLA XI - Motivate, inspire and lead Canberra Michael Grinder Doug Down (VIC)
1991 ASLA XII - Treat yourself professionally Leura Michael Marland, Honorary Professor of Education, Warwick University Maurice Saxby (NSW) & Brian Bahnisch (QLD)
1993 ASLA XII - Dreams and dynamics (joint conference with IASL) Adelaide   Norma Jeffrey (WA)
1995 ASLA XIV - Beyond the horizon Fremantle   Paul Lupton (QLD)
1997 ASLA XV - Language, learning & culture: unsettling certainties (joint conference with AATE & ALEA) Darwin   Fay Nicholson (VIC)
1999 ASLA XVI - Bytes, books and bollards by the Bay Geelong Professor Denise Bradley Judy Hunter (QLD) & James Henri (NSW)
2001 ASLA XVII - Forging future directions Twin Waters, Queensland Dr Ross Todd Karen Bonanno (QLD)
2003 ASLA XVIII - Island journeys (joint conference with CBCA) Hobart Dr Joy McGregor Ruth Jones (NT)
2004 ASLA Online I - Constructing communities of learning and literacy International Not applicable Not applicable
2005 ASLA XIX - Meeting the challenge Canberra Jason Clarke Bev Blackwell (WA)
2006 ASLA Online II - Visions of learning International Not applicable Not applicable
2007 ASLA XX - Hearts on fire: Sharing the passion Adelaide Dr Karen Brooks Lyn Hay (NSW)

Guidelines: ASLA Citation Award

Winners of the first awards

Doreen Goodman  and Jill Stevens

Historical information

It has been suggested that a large number of teacher librarians in Australia would not be aware of the terms and conditions of the selection of recipients for this award, or indeed know the reasons for selection of Doreen Goodman and Jill Stevens as the first to be so honoured.  Briefly the guidelines are that the individual should be:

  • a practising school librarian
  • practising in the field of school librarianship (broadly interpreted)
  • professionally qualified in education and librarianship at a level accepted by the employing authority
  • should preferably have contributed nationally and should still be working in the field of school librarianship.

The citation was established in 1978, but four years elapsed before the first awards were made - the first for the period prior to 1980, the second from 1980 - 1982.  The following has been prepared from the presentation speech made by John Ward at the opening sessions of ASLA VIII.

The first award went to Doreen Mary Goodman who has contributed significantly to the development of school librarianship in Australia, particularly in the following areas.  First in the development of school librarianship educational programs both in South Australia and Canberra.  Her work provided the basis for the development of the school library profession throughout Australia.  The second field has been her work through the National Government Agency, the Departments of Education and the Schools Commission on various library committees.  She was chairman of the Primary Libraries Committee of the Schools Commission which was the major initiative in developing Federal Government aid for primary schools.  She served from 1969 on the Secondary Libraries Committee of the Department of Education and the Schools Commission, and when both committees amalgamated in 1969 she was appointed chairman.  Her vigorous and dedicated leadership was significant in the Federal Government's commitment to supporting school library development in Australia.

Jill Suzette Stevens, who received the citation for 1980 - 1982 has been a teacher both in the United Kingdom and Australia and has served in various school library appointments both in the local school and at a regional level in the South Australian Education Department.  She was a foundation member of SMMART and continued to play a range of roles in that organisation, including secretary, and as co-ordinator of SMMART Conference.  She has been a councillor to ASLA and contributed substantially to the work of ASLA at the national level.  In 1981 she was elected Treasurer of ASLA and held this position for two terms.  She has been vigorous in her recruitment of members to SMMART and its committees and has constantly confronted both educators and politicians with the need for teacher librarians and school library services.  She has played a role of support to many teacher librarians in South Australia in providing them with an understanding of their role in the profession.  

Last updated October 2007