The work this organisation does in promoting the cartoon arts is amazing. That they do it mostly with a band of volunteers is even more astounding and something that my beloved Australian Cartoonists Association somehow needs to emulate. I shared a room with life-long cartoon-fan Ian McCall and stayed for the Rotary Cartoon Awards, held on the Saturday night. It was pleasing to see so many members of our Association there, and being able to share the evening with some of the winners was an experience I won't quickly forget. ​

The Manager
National Cartoon Gallery
PO Box 1483
COFFS HARBOUR NSW 2450

Dear Margaret,

                                 RE: Proposed Extensions to The National Cartoon Gallery

I recently attended the Rotary Cartoon Awards’ 30th Anniversary in the (newly named) National Cartoon Gallery, where I learnt of your plans to expand the Gallery. As an Australian comic historian and comic publisher, I'd like to add my voice in the need to do so.

Cartoons (and comics) in this country still tend to suffer the age-old stigma of being childish and disposable, yet Australian proponents of the mediums are continually being recognised around the world as being the best in the field. That your band of volunteers have been able to overlook this discrimination and carefully house and catalogue over 23,000 cartoons, shows that there is a depth to this unique art form that escapes many. 

This Coffs Harbour collection is growing annually. While there will be a need to preserve these cartoons acquired over the past thirty years, internationally there is also a growing historical and culture importance attached to the cartooning arts as I am sure you are aware. The Cartoon Museum in London opened only recently (in 2006) and has considerably less items in its inventory. The world’s largest, The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum in the United States is now administered by Ohio State University.

Belgian’s Comic Strip Centre, in Brussels, is perhaps the best-known, with a recorded 200,000 visitors annually. Opening in 1989, this Museum features a restaurant, a comics’ store, rooms with original comic (and animation) artwork, and a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of the local medium – in short, not too dissimilar to your plans!

Margaret, I’d like to publicly add my voice to the chorus of those seeking support for your proposed extensions. This is an opportunity to preserve a little-appreciated medium for future generations who will thank you for your persistence and foresight. Although I am enamoured with the medium, as you know, I’m excited to feel I am a part of this.
 
Kind Regards,
Nat Karmichael,
Inkspot Editor and Deputy President, 
Australian Cartoonists Association.
 
Australian comic commentator and
Principal of Comicoz,
An Australian comic publisher.
www.comicoz.com 

As far as the Ledger Awards themselves go, I've illustrated some of the winners (above). The number (of winners) were less than in previous years (not that that mattered), and the event was an even greater success (even if some found the venue difficult to locate). In case you weren't there, haven't been told, or yet read Inkspot, the winners were:
GOLD:
Reported Missing by Eleri May. This is a cracking good read (especially because it is true). I was alerted to this story when I was working out who I was considering for my own 'Comicoz Award' earlier this year, when I invited nominations on Facebook. The story is not available physically, only on line, and fortunately it remains in cyberspace. Here's a link:
https://thenib.com/reported-missing
Giant, Trolls, Witches, Beasts by Craig Phillips. Craig is a friendly guy and was really interesting to talk to at the Gold Coast Supanova, where I picked up a copy of his book. It has a professional feel about it and, in my opinion, a well-deserved winner. You can obtain your own physical copy from the publisher (Allen and Unwin) by clicking here:
 https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/books/childrens/Giants-Trolls-Witches-Beasts-Craig-Phillips-9781760113261 
Craig ​has another book out called Jack Scratch that is at the moment, I think, between publishers. One to pick up if you can for the little ones (Craig made it for his daughter)...
SILVER:
Black Magick (issues #6 to #10) by Nicola Scott, Greg Rucka and Chiara Arena came out via DC Comics. To be honest, I read the first series but have yet to read this, so I can't really comment. Similarly, Tom Taylor's Injustice 2 (also by DC Comics) is another I have not read. Which I now must do... Both are, most likely, available at your local comic shop. It's great to see Chiara Arena doing well in the comic field. Where do we know her? Ahh, as the cover artist on Oi Oi Oi! Issue number 5, no less!
Home Time by Campbell Whyte was published by Top Shelf Productions, and was another book recommended to me by me Facebook Friends earlier this year. And I have it ready in my bookshelf... waiting for the time I can give it some time! Here's where you can read some of the loveliness: http://www.campbellwhyte.com/comics/
My Struggle with Crohn's Disease by Safdar Ahmed has already been mentioned on my Blog, and it was rewarding to know that perhaps my tastes are not so eclectic after all! This remains a most powerful story, rivalling Safdar's Walkley Award-winning look at life inside the Villawood Detention Centre from 2015. Both are available for viewing on his personal website by clicking here: https://safdarahmed.com/my-comics-and-zines/ 
Finally, another winner already nominated on my Blog earlier in the year, was Chris Gooch's Bottled. Published by Top Shelf Productions. Well worth the read. Available by clicking onto this website: http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/bottled/973

Oh, and an extra 10% off to all members of my beloved Australian Cartoonists Association....