June Epstein

June Sadie Epstein (29 June 1918, Perth, Western Australia – 9 July 2004, Melbourne, Victoria) was an Australian author, musician, and educator. She is considered to be one of the most influential Australian children's writers of the 1950s.

Personal life Epstein was born on 29 June 1918 in Perth, Western Australia.

She had three children with her husband Julius Guest, whom she married in 1949. Two of her children died at a young age due to encephalitis and a brain tumor. These experiences fueled her advocacy for the rights of disabled people.

Epstein died on 9 July 2004, in Melbourne at 86 years old.

Career In 1935, June Epstein received the first edition of a three-year music scholarship from the Trinity College of Music in London (now the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance), where she graduated with a Teacher's Diploma, and a second University of London scholarship towards a bachelor's degree in music. The beginning of World War II in 1940 cut this short and Epstein began working with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) back in Australia. She was a broadcaster, composer, pianist, recitalist, and scriptwriter, and worked with the ABC for several decades after.

In 1988, she published her autobiography, Woman with two hats: an autobiography. Most of her work focused on the experiences of people with disabilities and she endeavored to raise awareness for the needs of that community.

1981: The Friends of Burramys – Nominated for the Best Children's Book, Whitley Awards They also hold a collection of biographical cuttings from newspapers about her life as an author.