Vale Kim Gamble: KOALA Legend 2007, now and forever

Kim first appeared on a KOALA shortlist in 1993 for The Magnificent Nose and other Marvels - the beginning of his great partnership with author Anna Fienberg. Many of his other books such as Horrendo's Curse, The Hottest Boy who ever lived, and some of the stories about Minton were also all shortlisted.  However, his most popular books in the KOALA Awards were the stories about Tashi written by Anna and her mother Barbara. Sometimes three Tashi books were shortlisted in the same year. In 2003, The Big, Big, Big Book of Tashi won a Kids Own Australian Literature Award in the Younger Readers Category.

Kim regularly attended Awards Day and on several occasions was our resident artist. Students (and teachers) watched spellbound as a fabulous picture of Tashi unfolded in some amazing scene. It always felt like a little bit of magic was being created in front of us when we were lucky enough to have Kim visit. The last time Kim drew for us was at The Monkey Baa Theatre at the 2012 Awards Day.

Kim also happily provided illustrations for our KOALA bookmark, 21st birthday library bag and special birthday invitations. In 2007, Kim Gamble was honoured as a KOALA Legend for his dedication and generous support of KOALA. By then, fourteen of his illustrated books had been shortlisted.

Kim will be a KOALA Legend now and forever.