Colin Thiele 1920 – 2006


Colin Thiele 1920 – 2006
4 September 2006

Premier Mike Rann has today paid tribute to South Australian author Colin Thiele, who has died aged 85.

 

“Colin was one of Australia’s most prolific and popular writers for children,” Minister for the Arts, Mike Rann said.

 

“He was a great South Australian whose work captured the imaginations of generations of Australians.”

 

Colin died in a Brisbane hospital this morning, following complications from a heart condition.

 

Colin was born in Eudunda, in the Barossa Valley, on November 16, 1920, but moved to Brisbane  for health reasons.

 

“He is best remembered for his best-selling 1963 novel Storm Boy, set in South Australia’s Coorong,” Mr Rann said.

 

“It’s a remarkable book which has never been out of print, and which was made into the internationally acclaimed 1976 film, produced by the South Australian Film Corporation, featuring David Gulpilil.

 

“Colin wrote more than 100 books, not just for children, but also in the fields of history, poetry, biography and the environment.

 

 “In 1977, he was awarded Australia’s highest award, the Companion of the Order of Australia, just one of many awards he received.

 

“He won the W J Miles Poetry prize in 1944, he was a Fulbright scholar in 1952, won the Dromkeen Medal in 1997, as well as dozens of others before receiving an Honorary Doctorate in 1999.

 

“His last book, The Fiery Salamander, is due to be published in March next year.

 

“I send my condolences to his wife Rhonda and daughters Janne and Sandy and their families.  Also to the people of Eudunda who are so proud of their favourite son.”