Howzat Pat #1: Dare to Bowl

Dave Hartley is an award-winning author and school principal who has worked as an executive leader in the Queensland Department of Education's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander division. A Barunggam man, Dave is also an incredibly talented First Nations artist, and plays the didgeridoo. (He was one of the didgeridoo performers at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in 2018). He is also sports obsessed! He got his start co-writing an Aboriginal Rugby League superhero story with League player Scott Prince, and co-wrote the award winning Strangers On Country. Otherwise, he and his wife have two grown-up girls, a giant groodle, a sassy spoodle and live on the Gold Coast.

Pat is captain of the Australian Men's Test and One Day International cricket teams and has been pivotal in re-shaping team culture and leading them to global success across all formats of the game. Pat has received many global cricketing accolades over the years, most recently being named the 2023 ICC Cricketer of the Year. A successful elite sporting career hasn't diminished Cummins' interests off the field. Pat has a keen interest in business and aligns himself with organisations dedicated to creating lasting impact. Pat appreciates he has a responsibility to use his position and influence for the good of others and is committed to supporting initiatives involving education, sustainability, First Nations communities and health. Pat lives in Sydney with his wife, Becky, and son, Albie.

From Serena's website.'So you’re here to find out what I’ve been up to the last thirty something years to be illustrating children’s books?I’ve always enjoyed drawing (I think we are meant to say this…) and even though it took most of my adult life to finally branch into illustrating full time, it was always a big part of my life and quite often an escape.I spent six years working for Walt Disney Animation in Sydney with a fabulously mad group of talented artist on sequels to The Lion King, Peter Pan Return to Neverland, Lady and the Tramp and Jungle Book. Even with the intense training we had at Disney and the long hours of tedious work, I am still unable to draw to a model sheet let alone a mouse in trousers.In 2009 the interest in illustrating picture books became as strong as my coffee order and with the sudden end of my job, it all seemed like the right thing to pursue. Within three months I had my first contract with a small publishing house in Sydney and over four years I have illustrated seventeen books ranging from board books to picture books and junior novel series.I work traditionally and even though I am starting to experiment with digital, I still prefer creating with pencil, ink and watercolours. My years at Disney have enabled me to illustrate fairly quickly using movement and expression, which are re occurring elements throughout my work.I enjoy playing with humour and awkward embarrassing moments with my characters as well as adding extra details into some of the illustrations to tell a story within the story. I’m a fabulous daydreamer and have found it is the best link to your imagination (apparently I did it all the time as a child, now I can hide behind my sunglasses as an adult) and is something I draw inspiration from when talking with children.I hope this gives you a little insight into who I am, and my journey so far.'