The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) is delighted to announce that Leanne Hall and Mirandi Riwoe have been elected to the Board of Directors. Alongside the new additions to the Board, Sarah Ayoub and Malcolm Knox have been re-elected to serve another term, and Dub Leffler has been appointed to the Board, after filling a casual vacancy earlier this year.

ASA Chair, Sophie Cunningham says, “One of the privileges of being the Chair of the ASA is having the opportunity to work with so many fabulous and collegiate writers. We’ve had a great board in recent years which is why I’m so pleased Sarah and Malcolm  have been elected for a second term as well as our group being strengthened by  three new directors whose work I so admire. Leanne and Mirandi were elected in the recent elections, and Dub Leffler, author, illustrator, and Bigambul and Mandandanji man, joined us a few months ago. It’s a great feeling to know we have such a bunch of talented, capable authors helping the ASA do what it does best: supporting Australian writers.”

This year, the ASA’s Director Election saw a record number of votes, highlighting an increasing level of engagement from our creator community.

“I am thrilled to welcome Leanne and Mirandi to our board, and to continue to enjoy Sarah, Malcolm, and Dub’s expertise,” ASA CEO Lucy Hayward says. “While we’re entering a time of opportunity for creators with the establishment of Writing Australia, authors and illustrators are facing new threats with the emergence of generative AI. I know that our Directors will be the galvanising force the ASA needs to face this change and defend authors’ rights, and I look forward to working with them more closely.”

We will introduce the new Board Directors to the membership in our Getting to Know You email series in early 2024.