Michael Salmon

Michael Salmon

Michael Salmon has been involved in graphics, Children’s literature, TV and Theatre since 1967.  2022 is  his 50th Anniversary of both writing and illustrating children's books and visiting Australian Schools.

He started his career with surfing cartoons and exhibitions of psychedelic art …. and then joined the famous marionette troupe ‘The Tintookies’ as a trainee set designer/stage-manager in 1968 (The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, Sydney)

Work has mostly been for young people … both here and overseas. Credits include the ‘Alexander Bunyip show’ (ABC-TV 1978-88), ‘Wayzgoose’ (ABC-TV 1977), theatre/pantomimes: scripts and scenic design, varied merchandise designs, toy and board game invention and the writing and illustrating of 176 picture story-books and activity-books for children.

Several million copies of books have been sold worldwide.

Michael has been visiting Australian Primary Schools since 1972. The hour long sessions are humorous, fun, interactive, and entertaining, with a focus on Students developing their own creativity. Suitable for all grades/years. Many photos of these visits can be seen on his website:

www.michaelsalmon.com.au

Several trips have been up to the Gulf of Carpentaria Savannah Schools and to the remote Aboriginal community Schools on Cape York Peninsula, as a guest of EDU QLD.

The Australian Government honoured his work in 2004 by printing a 32nd Centenary, special edition of his first book ‘The Monster that ate Canberra’ as a Commonwealth publication … for both residents and visitors to our Capital. Every Federal Politician received a copy!

Michael was also the co-creator and designer of ‘Buddy Bear’ for the Alannah and Madeline Foundation (Port Arthur 1996). The Foundation financially supports Children/Families who are victims of violence/violent crime; they are currently running an anti-bullying campaign in Australian Schools.

In 2010 the ACT Government further recognised his work by commissioning a bronze statue of the first book character ‘Alexander Bunyip’. ‘Unveiled’ in April 2011, it stands next to the new Gungahlin Library in our Federal Capital.

 

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Michael presented ‘Bunyip-themed history sessions’ for audiences of School Children at the National Library of Australia, Canberra: 2011 – 2015.

School touring and new book titles continue ….

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Early Australian History colouring panels -

For school projects (suitable for curriculum studies) - See links for free downloads

 

 

 

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 To request a booking with Michael, please use the booking pane to the left.

 

Testimonials

  • Michael Salmon’s session today was absolutely awesome – a very entertaining and engaging online session! The children drew some wonderful dinosaurs and Michael kept them engaged and interested throughout the session and he was very inspiring and encouraging to all the attendees, it was really wonderful!

    Logan Council Libraries - September, 2022

    Logan Council Libraries - September, 2022
    Michael Salmon
  • Absolutely brilliant session and lots of positive feedback. Great to catch up and meet you.

    St Josephs Primary School, North Goulburn - October 2021

    St Josephs Primary School, North Goulburn - October 2021
    Michael Salmon
  • Dear Michael, Thank you for visiting with us remotely for Book Week. The students thoroughly enjoyed seeing you and your drawings, and you gave them and the staff many laughs. Please find enclosed the pictures of you drawn by Alarice and Michelle. Cameron also asked me to include a picture he drew of you as 'revenge' for the picture you drew of him. You had him in stitches as you drew him. Four other staff member remembered you from their primary school days, and were delighted to see you again.

    Casey Grammar School - December 2021

    Casey Grammar School - December 2021
    Michael Salmon
  • Thank you Michael,
    Both the Year 3 and Year 4 boys and staff said they loved your presentations. They thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling and creating the cartoons. We really appreciate you brightening the day for our students, especially during these challenging times. I wish you and your family the very best and hope we all can soon enjoy some happier times again out of lockdown.


    Brighton Grammar - September, 2021

    Brighton Grammar - September, 2021
    Michael Salmon
  • As a School we highly recommend Michael Salmon. Comments from staff, students and parents were all positive. Michael had everyone laughing and enthralled by his fast paced drawing and stories. Students were engaged the whole time from Prep to Year 6. They were excited to be included in his performance and it left them all wanting to give drawing a go. Michael sparked the imagination of our students and created a buzz that is still going on in our Library a week later. It was a great performance and wonderful to see such a hands on presentation.

    Stanthorpe State Primary School - July, 2017

    Stanthorpe State Primary School - July, 2017
    Michael Salmon

Victoria

Speaker type

  • Author
  • Illustrator / Designer
  • Cartoonist
  • Interstate
  • Virtual visits
available for virtual visits
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Michael Salmon