8/11/2025

Meet Christine Thorne, Logistics Operative at HarperCollins, recipient of the George Robertson Award in 2025 for her unwavering dedication and contribution to the industry.

How and when did you enter the book industry? 

In 1994, all my kids were all going to school, I decided to find a job and my friend suggested Harper Collins Publishers at Moss Vale, they were after pickers, who are responsible for selecting and preparing books for dispatch. I was called at 8am if there was a shift available, so I had to be ready to go. The hours were good because I could still pick the kids up from school in the afternoon. It was great to earn some extra money!

What has kept you in publishing over the years?

I love books! I loved the colleagues I worked with; and they became my second family. I’ve also had a variety of roles - that’s mainly what kept me in publishing. I was offered ongoing contracts and eventually was offered a permanent job in 1995.

‘Over the years I ended up in all sorts of roles, so I always had variety, and it helped me understand the whole business.’

What have been some of your career highlights?

There has been so many but here are a few:

• In 2000, I found myself department Head for the Fox video and DVD department. Those were hectic times, 12 hour days 7 days a week at times, but again fantastic times.
• In 2005, I had a trip to Griffin Press in Adelaide. It was an amazing week as I had never seen the printing process in full and learnt so much more about the industry.
• 2008, I landed a job in the Inventory and Logistics department as an Operative. This included acquiring a forklift license, which I never imagined I would do but I did. I found that this job was what I was meant to do all along and have been there ever since. I have mainly overseen New Releases in the past few years.

What’s next for your career? Is there a particular project or challenge you'd like to tackle next?

The industry is changing and the company is changing, I’ve found myself with new management, new departments, new colleagues: all who have new ideas to take this business to the next level. I am feeling very excited about where this business is now going.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in the industry? How have you applied it?

‘Grow and challenge yourself, be kind, passionate and resilient.’

Learn more about other George Robertson Award recipients here.