Judith Rivalland established a Reading Centre in Darwin, where she was a member of the National Council of ALEA. She began her academic career at Charles Darwin University and then moved to Edith Cowan University. She was president of ALEA, Perth and participated in many national research projects. She was the author of the spelling and writing continuum for the First Steps Project. Judith was Professor of Language and Literacy Education and is now Emeritus Professor at ECU.