Oldmeadow, Joyce (1921 - 2001)

In the late 1950s Oldmeadow, with her husband Courtney, founded Oldmeadow Booksellers. In 1974, they opened Dromkeen, which has become an internationally recognised children's literature museum.

Born: 22 August 1921. Died: 4 August 2001.
Oldmeadow trained as a kindergarten teacher before founding Oldmeadows Booksellers with her husband Court in the late 1950s. They promoted children's authors and successfully conducted a series of meet-the-author sessions.

In 1973, the Oldmeadows purchased a large 19th century farmhouse near Riddells Creek, Victoria, Dromkeen Homestead. They began a collection of orginal children's book illustrations, manuscripts and early Australian children's books.
The Oldmeadows were jointly awarded Britains Eleanor Farjeon Award for their services to children's literature in 1976.
In 1982, Oldmeadow inaugurated the Dromkeen Medal, which is awared annually to individuals for outstanding achievements in the field of children's literature. She was awarded the Nan Chauncy Award in 1988, by the Children's Book Council of Australia, as well as the Order of Australia Medal in 1989, for her services to childrens literature.

Newspaper Articles

• Dugan, Michael, 'Joyce Oldmeadow, OAM', Age, Today, 14 August 2001, p. 7. [ Details... ]
• Jones, Philip, 'Caring custodian of childrens imaginations', Australian, 28 August 2001, p. 16. [ Details... ]