Max Fatchen
Encyclopedia
Max Fatchen is an Australia
n journalist and children's writer.
Max Fatchen spent his boyhood on an Adelaide Plains
farm at Angle Vale
. He learned to drive a team of Clydesdale horses and did part of his High School studies at home, driving his horse and buggy in once a week to Gawler High School
to get his papers corrected. Later he entered journalism as a copy boy and after five years in the Australian Army
and Royal Australian Air Force
during World War II
became a journalist with the The News
and later The Advertiser. He covered many major stories in Australia and overseas. He began writing for children in 1966 and has been writing for them ever since. He has written 20 books, his novels appear in seven countries and his poetry throughout the English-speaking world. He writes for children in the primary school group.
Three of his books have received commendation in the Children's Book of the Year Award. He received the Order of Australia
in 1980, the Advance Australia Award
for literature in 1991, the Walkley Award for journalism in 1996, the Primary English Teaching Associations Award for children's poetry in 1996 and the SA Great Award for Literature in 1999 and the 2003 Centenary of Federation Medal for service to the community in journalism, poetry and writing for children. He was made Inaugural Life Member of SA Writers Centre in 2004 for long years of support, encouragement and ambassadorship for the Centre.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n journalist and children's writer.
Max Fatchen spent his boyhood on an Adelaide Plains
Adelaide Plains
The Adelaide Plains is the area in South Australia between the Mount Lofty Ranges on the east and Gulf St Vincent on the west. The plains are generally fertile with annual rainfall of about per year....
farm at Angle Vale
Angle Vale, South Australia
Angle Vale is a semi-rural town on the Adelaide Plains between Gawler and Virginia.Angle Vale Post Office opened on 1 October 1866.-References:...
. He learned to drive a team of Clydesdale horses and did part of his High School studies at home, driving his horse and buggy in once a week to Gawler High School
Gawler High School
Gawler High School is a secondary public school located in Evanston, South Australia. The school was founded in 1907 , making it the oldest school in the area. The current principal is Mr. Greg Harvey who succeeded Sandra Lowery, who left the school at the end of the 2007 school year, ending her 15...
to get his papers corrected. Later he entered journalism as a copy boy and after five years in the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
and Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
became a journalist with the The News
The News (Adelaide)
The News was an afternoon daily tabloid newspaper in the city of Adelaide, South Australia.The newspaper was established in 1869 as the Evening Journal. In 1933, a controlling stake was taken by The Advertiser, controlled by the Herald and Weekly Times. HWT sold off The News in 1949, and Sir Keith...
and later The Advertiser. He covered many major stories in Australia and overseas. He began writing for children in 1966 and has been writing for them ever since. He has written 20 books, his novels appear in seven countries and his poetry throughout the English-speaking world. He writes for children in the primary school group.
Three of his books have received commendation in the Children's Book of the Year Award. He received the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
in 1980, the Advance Australia Award
Advance Australia Award
The Advance Australia Foundation was established in 1980. The AAF recognised "individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions to the growth and enhancement of Australia, the Australian people and the Australian way of life"....
for literature in 1991, the Walkley Award for journalism in 1996, the Primary English Teaching Associations Award for children's poetry in 1996 and the SA Great Award for Literature in 1999 and the 2003 Centenary of Federation Medal for service to the community in journalism, poetry and writing for children. He was made Inaugural Life Member of SA Writers Centre in 2004 for long years of support, encouragement and ambassadorship for the Centre.
External links
- Profile at The Adelaide Advertiser
- State Library of South Australia fact sheet