Who's behind Matilda Books?

Justine Power (Director)

Justine's love of children's books led her to begin her career as a teacher in the Canberra Catholic Archdiocese. Following ten years of classroom teaching, Justine lectured at the Australian Catholic University working with early career teachers. She continues to support children in their learning through tutoring.​

Recently Justine was the General Manager for Playgroup Australia. During her tenure she represented the organisation on numerous peak body projects and reference groups, in particular those relating to early years education, and child safety. She was responsible for developing several national policies, budgets, and government submissions.

​Justine worked with many affiliated organisations to ensure that the Early Learning Years Framework was incorporated in to Playgroup's activities, these included the Ian Potter Foundation, Early Childhood Australia (ECA), the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY), the Early Start Discovery Space, Every Child, The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), The Smith Family, and the Department of Social Security. 

​Her responsibilities as General Manager also her saw her play a key role in the finance, risk and audit areas of operation and she was responsible for the management of multi-million dollar contracts. 

​Earlier Justine worked in businesses focussing on finance and quality management systems, and also worked with the Delcosta Group establishing childcare centres across Australia.​

​Justine is an active member of the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA), serving as a National Board Director for 7 years. In this capacity she was responsible for several key operational and governance areas including Finance, Merchandising, and she convened the National Awards sub-committee. She also advised the National Centre for Australian Children's Literature (NCACL), coordinated travelling exhibitions with the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), and managed the inaugural Storytime at the Lodge. 

​Justine remains involved with the CBCA, currently convening the biannual conference, and for the last 6 years as the Awards Foundation Manager, overseeing a multi million dollar trust that supports the Annual CBCA Book of the Year Awards.

​Her combination of skills and experience across business and finance, education and literature advocacy underpins her contribution to Matilda Books. CV highlights include:

​·    B.Sc, Grad Dip Ed (Primary), Grad Dip Ed (Religious Ed), M. Ed (Early Ed)

·    ​Cert IV in Bookkeeping and Accounting

·    CBCA National Director

·    CBCA ACT - Treasurer

·    ACT Duke of Edinburgh's Chair

·    Duke of Edinburgh - International Gold Representative