'The Pheme Tanner Award is a biennial award presented as part of the La Trobe University, Bendigo Children's Literature Conference. It is jointly sponsored by La Trobe University, Bendigo and the Business and Professional Women's Association (BPWA) of Bendigo. It is presented to recognize distinguished service to Children's Literature and the encouragement of the joys of reading in children.
'The award commemorates Euphemia Tanner (1914-1993), who was the Bendigo Library's Children's Librarian from 1946 to 1979 and one of the first full-time children's librarians in Australia. Her enthusiasm for literature and wide knowledge of children's books influenced a generation of readers. Her greatest reward, she said, was to know that she had left so many children with a love of books and introduced them to the joys of reading.
'She was also President and long time member of the BPWA, raising issues of the status of women in professional life. She took a firm and determined stand on many situations and projects that affected not only her own professional life, but also those of her staff, her peers and all professional women.
'Miss Tanner was energetic and enthusiastic, often single-minded and forthright. She made immense contribution to the strong traditions of libraries and children's literature in Bendigo, and was responsible for generations of children in central Victoria reading widely, critically and well.' (https://www.latrobe.edu.au/childlit/Awards/Pheme.htm
Note: No award was given in 2003
