Author Kaz Cooke named as one of NLA's 50th Anniversary Ambassadors

Kaz Cooke. Photo: David Johns Photography.

What does the writer of an Australian hit TV comedy, a leading Indigenous author, a popular cartoonist, a writer and former rugby great, and a young adult author have in common?

They have joined forces with the National Library of Australia as part of its 50^th Anniversary Ambassador Program.

TV screenwriter, journalist and newspaper columnist Benjamin Law, leading Indigenous author Dr Anita Heiss, cartoonist and best-selling author Kaz Cooke, writer and sportsman Peter FitzSimons and fantasy and science fiction writer Garth Nix have been named as the five Ambassadors.

The announcement was made at the National Library recently by Chair of the NLA Council, Mr Ryan Stokes, and Director-General, Dr Marie-Louise Ayres. Mr Law, Ms Cooke and Mr Nix were present for the announcement.

NLA Ambassadors: Benjamin Law, Kaz Cooke and Garth Nix at the NLA. Photo: Supplied.

During 2018 – the 50^th anniversary of the construction of the Library building in Canberra – the Ambassadors, all of whom have a strong social media presence, will be invited to spread the online word about the celebrations.

The Ambassadors were chosen for their connection to the Library – ranging from research to speaking events – and to represent a cross-section of the Australian community.

They will also participate in various Library events, post content on social media and contribute blog posts to the Library’s website.

NLA selfie: Benjamin Law takes a selfie with fellow NLA Ambassadors Garth Nix and Kaz Cooke, with NLA Director-General Dr Marie-Louise Ayres and NLA Council Chair Mr Ryan Stokes. Photo: Supplied.

We got to speak with Kaz Cooke about her role with the National Library. As a cartoonist and best-selling author, she has been called the Number One Advisor for Australian girls and women. Her no-nonsense, funny yet comforting books ‘Up The Duff -the real guide to pregnancy’ , ‘Kidwrangling: Looking After Babies’, ‘Toddlers & Preschoolers’, ‘Girl Stuff 8-12: Your Guide to the Pre-Teen Years’ and ‘Girl Stuff: Your Full-on Guide to the Teen Years’ are bibles to many as they navigate through different life stages.

Kaz shared, “I am so thrilled to be an ambassador because I used to be so intimidated by big institutions like the National Library, I felt that you needed to be a scholar, or have been to university to use it or understand it. Now I know that anyone can access all sorts of wonderful things online or just waltz in and order a book or something else to have a rummage in. It’s the people’s library and I want to let all the people know! I’m so keen to be able to share treasures and ideas on social media about how to have fun and learn stuff with Library resources.”

Kaz revealed, “I’ll be posting on my social media feeds, photos of quirky, moving and intriguing objects, books, photos, manuscripts, letters, and collections. Keep your eye out on Twitter and Instagram (@reallykazcooke) or if you’re a Facebooker, on the official Kaz Cooke page on Facebook or if you’re a Tumblr fiend, my blog there called FellowFrockery.”

She fondly remembers one of her favourite memories of visiting the National Library, “I’ll never forget my first time taking a query that I thought I might find an answer to in the Asian Collections Reading Room, and suddenly finding no less than 3 staff members being called over to discuss and help and then like magic in a few days I was emailed a comprehensive and fascinating relevant reading list. It was like being visited by three fairy godmother librarians.”