Laurie Copping was a dedicated enthusiast of children's literature. After attending the University of Sydney and training at teachers' college, Copping held positions at Westmead Technical School and Millwood School. During World War II, Copping enlisted in the air force and served as a flight mechanic. After the war, Copping worked in several more NSW schools before being appointed Principal at Hall Primary School in the ACT, a position he held from 1960 to his retirement in 1982.
Copping was heavily involved in the work of the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA), particularly the ACT Branch. He held a number of positions with the CBCA including National Archivist and judge of the CBCA book awards. Copping was a regular reviewer of children's books for the CBCA's journal, Reading Time and for The Canberra Times. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Lu Rees Archive located at the University of Canberra.
The Hall School Museum in the ACT, long associated with Laurie Copping, was renamed and dedicated as the Laurie Copping Heritage Centre by Governor-General Michael Jeffery on 26 November 2004.
(Source: 'An Identity in Teaching, Children's Literature and Community Groups', The Canberra Times, 19 September 2003, Julie Long and Belle Alderman.)
