ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Channels Australasia has established an Editorial Advisory Council for CBeebies, the locally tailored subscription version of the UK's most successful pre‐school network.

The Council will become the forum upon which the network shares information about engaging with pre-school children in an educational and entertaining way. It will provide a platform where regulatory, programming and content issues can be discussed and debated by the members; esteemed media and educational professionals, reinforcing CBeebies positioning as a trusted, quality entertainment provider.

The Council will identify, respond to and provide advice on emerging issues and trends of importance and concern. Guest speakers are also invited to share their expertise on relevant topics.

Tony Iffland, General Manager, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Channels Australasia will chair the Council, which will hold its inaugural meeting in Sydney on Thursday July 9. Michael Carrington, Controller of CBeebies, UK will attend as guest speaker.

Iffland commented, "The Council will allow us to build on the great heritage of the CBeebies brand, whilst ensuring that the channel is outward- looking and focused on the needs of Australian children. The distinguished members bring to the Council a wealth of diversity and expertise enabling the CBeebies team to more actively engage with our pre-school aged viewers."

The initial appointments to the Council are;

• Graeme Base –Author, Illustrator, Composer, Screenwriter and Executive Producer
  Graeme wrote and illustrated his first picture book, My Grandma Lived in Gooligulch in1983. He has since written and illustrated more than a dozen books including Animalia which has sold over three million copies around the world, and co-wrote the theme for the animated TV series Animalia with Yuri Worontschak and also co-executive produced the series.
  
  
• Assoc. Prof. Christine Johnston, PhD (University of Sydney), B.A. (Hons)
  Christine Johnston is an Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of Western Sydney and convenes the Special Education Programs. Christine teaches primarily in the areas of early childhood intervention and evidence-based practice.
  
  
• Helen Martin – Early Childhood Producer
  Helen has been an early childhood producer and adviser with HI-5 since its inception and prior to that performed similar roles with the ABC in Play School and other children's programs. For many years she was a lecturer in the performing arts with the Institute of Early Childhood and was also Director of the Marian Street Children's Theatre. She is the author of numerous books for young children and scriptwriter for radio programs, children’s theatre and television.
  
  
• Cate McQuillen – Filmmaker and Entertainer
  Originally trained as a primary school teacher, Cate was the Head of Drama at Clarence Valley Conservatorium in Grafton for 10 years. She is also an invited regional HSC drama consultant. Cate has been working in all facets of children's entertainment for the past 20 years. As well as an educationalist, she is an award winning performer and musician. A popular public speaker, she is also the award winning co-creator, writer and performer of Dirtgirl World, a children's project targeting the under eight market.

The CBeebies Children's Advisory Council will meet quarterly.

NOTES TO EDITORS
About CBeebies
CBeebies provides a mixed-genre portfolio of pre-school and early-school programming created to encourage β€œlearning through play” for boys and girls aged six and under.

Our audiences are curious, natural learners and they love to laugh. And we believe to be successful we need to provide them with programmes that are distinctive, high quality and original. Our portfolio blends music, movement, storytelling, arts & crafts, simple science, natural history, puzzles and animation, all in a fun but safe environment.

In the UK, CBeebies is the No. 1 children's preschool channel. Internationally, the channel launched in India in April 2007, followed by launches in Singapore, Hong Kong and Poland that year. In 2008, the channel has continued its international roll-out, with launches in Indonesia, Latin America, Africa, Australia and the U.S.

In Australia, CBeebies is an advertising-free, safe environment for children. The programming emphasises educational entertainment and is supported by the core ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ values, ensuring it’s trustworthy, reliable and informative.

Linda Deubel