2026 Hall of Fame Winners Announcement
The Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) celebrate the professionals in the book business – the dedicated individuals and teams who bring stories to life, and books to the right readers.
Congratulations to the new Hall of Fame recipients, recognising outstanding contributions to the industry.
Hall of Fame: Lloyd O’Neil Award – Mem Fox
Mem Fox AM, is named the recipient of the 2026 Lloyd O’Neil Award. Mem Fox is Australia’s foremost writer of picture books for young children. A household name and a favourite author of anyone with little ones in their life, her books have entertained and comforted generations of Australians.
Born in Melbourne, Mem grew up in Zimbabwe and studied drama in England before returning to Australia in 1970. She now lives in Adelaide. Her books have sold millions of copies, won multiple awards and are still regularly featured in Top Ten Australian picture book bestseller lists.
Possum Magic (1983) and Where is the Green Sheep? (2004) have become beacons of children’s literature for millions of Australian families. She has written over 45 children’s books including Time for Bed (1993) which spent three years on the New York Times best-seller list, and Ten Little Fingers, Ten Little Toes (2008) and the beloved Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge (1984). Her books have been translated into twenty-three languages.
Mem is a retired Associate Professor of Literacy Studies from Flinders University, South Australia, where she taught teachers for 24 years. The recipient of an array of awards, Mem was awarded an AM for services to the cultural life of Australia in 1993.
On receiving the award, Fox says: ‘When I heard I’d won the Lloyd O’Neil award I didn’t scream with delight because I didn’t believe it. I thought it was a mistake. When it was verified, I glowed. ‘Awesome!’ I thought. And then I thought of the honour of it. Here I am a writer of picture books joining the ranks of previous winners including Ruth Park, Thomas Keneally, Peter Carey, David Malouf, Helen Garner and Tim Winton. It really is quite something. If you had told me in 1983 when my first picture book, POSSUM MAGIC, was published, that one day I would be the recipient of such an important industry award I would not have believed you. I am so proud to be part of our Australian publishing community. So thank you to everyone.’
The Lloyd O’Neil Award recognises outstanding service to the Australian Book Industry by an individual from within its ranks, including publishers, booksellers, authors and other industry representatives with exceptional long service to the industry.
Lloyd O’Neil (1928 – 1992) was a pioneer of Australian publishing, beginning his career as a bookseller and becoming an insightful and talented publisher, printing popular mass market titles that captured the mood of the nation and developing hugely successful educational and travel lists.
View the honour roll and previous winners here.
Hall of Fame: Pixie O’Harris Award – Paul Macdonald
Paul Macdonald, is named the recipient of the 2026 Pixie O’Harris Award.
Paul Macdonald owned the award-winning The Children’s Bookshop which was a Sydney literary institution since 1971, selling books to hundreds of schools and hosting events for over 50,000 kids over a twenty-year period. Paul won the inaugural Maurice Saxby Award in 2012 for his contributions to raising the profile of teen fiction. Paul Macdonald also was the winner of the 2016 Lady Cutler award for services to children’s literature and literacy in Australia. Additionally, Paul is a consultant working with numerous schools promoting reading for pleasure for young readers and focusing on building reading cultures. He is the co-author of the CBCA Notable picture book The Hole Idea and is the outgoing CBCA NSW President 2024-2026.
On receiving the award, Macdonald says: ‘I am absolutely thrilled, honoured and humbled to be awarded the 2026 Pixie O’Harris Award – and I am absolutely in awe of the list of prestigious past winners.’
The Pixie O’Harris Award recognises publishers, editors, creators, booksellers, publicists and other industry representatives who have worked consistently in the field of children’s literature, demonstrated commitment beyond the call of duty, and who have developed a reputation for their contribution.
The award is named in honour of children’s book author and illustrator, Pixie O’Harris (1903 – 1991), who had a longstanding career in publishing and painted many murals in hospital wards, health centres and schools.
View the honour roll and previous winners here.
Book and Business Awards shortlists and ABIA 2026 Ceremony
The shortlists for the ABIA Book Awards and Business Awards were announced last month.
The Awards Ceremony takes place on Thursday 21 May at Linseed House in Sydney.