Nadia Wheatley
Encyclopedia
Nadia Wheatley is an award winning Australian writer of children’s fiction and non-fiction, adult non-fiction and biographies, and newspaper and journal articles. Her works often focus on "the difficulties faced by Aborigines or non-English-speaking newcomers to Australia, ... environmental issues and the effects of social change”. She has been involved in developing projects to raise children's awareness about their environment and local history.
area and attending Meriden School. She began an Arts Degree at the University of Sydney
in 1966, intending to major in English, but she changed to History and graduated with Honours in 1970. She later graduated from Macquarie University
with an MA Honours degree.
In 1975, Wheatley went to Greece to live, with her then boyfriend, poet Martin Johnston
, son of Australian writers George Johnston
and Charmian Clift
. It was here that she began to write seriously. They lived on both Crete
and Astros, and had a routine of writing six days a week. In 1977, they went to London via Yugoslavia, and over the next year they visited Ireland, England and Scotland, before going back to Greece, and then returning to Australia in 1978. On her return to Australia, she lived in Newtown
.
. Published in 1983, it was a critical success, and garnered many literary commendations and awards. Since then she has written many children's fiction and non-fiction books, most of them being shortlisted for and, often, winning awards.
She also wrote a biography of Charmian Clift
(2002) which won that year's Premier's reading challenge at the New South Wales Premier's History Awards
. In 2006, she was a judge for these awards. She was also, in 2006, the University of Canberra
's May Gibbs
Fellow.
Increasingly, Wheatley has become involved in programs which further social, cultural and environmental awareness, particularly in children. She and Ken Searle took part in the Australian Society of Authors funded mentorship program for Indigenous writers. The result of their involvement was Mary Malbunka’s children’s book When I was Little, Like You (2003, Allen & Unwin
).
project developed in 2003 by eight inner-Sydney city schools. The initial plan was to break down barriers between the communities but it developed into a larger project which included learning about the environment, Indigenous culture, and living in multicultural communities, and involved sixteen Muslim, Catholic and government schools. In 2005 Nadia Wheatley and Ken Searle
were invited by the committee to work with the children on "the theme of freedom". Wheatley and Searle used an educational model they had developed with others in the 1990s at Papunya School in Central Australia which "puts country at the core of the curriculum". The result was the book, Going Bush, which captures what the children learnt through exploring a section of urban bushland along Wolli Creek.
Dancing in the Anzac Deli
The House that was Eureka
My Place
Lucy in the Leap Year
The Night Tolkien Died
Highway
Papunya School Book of Country and History
The Life and Myth of Charmian Clift
Going Bush
Life
Nadia was born in Sydney and brought up as a foster child, spending most of her youth in the StrathfieldStrathfield, New South Wales
Strathfield is an Inner West suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Strathfield is located 14 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the local government area of the Municipality of Strathfield...
area and attending Meriden School. She began an Arts Degree at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
in 1966, intending to major in English, but she changed to History and graduated with Honours in 1970. She later graduated from Macquarie University
Macquarie University
Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney...
with an MA Honours degree.
In 1975, Wheatley went to Greece to live, with her then boyfriend, poet Martin Johnston
Martin Johnston
Martin Johnston was an Australian poet and novelist.Martin Johnston was born in Sydney in November 1947, son of the writers George Johnston and Charmian Clift. His early childhood was spent in London and Sydney. In 1954 the family moved to Greece...
, son of Australian writers George Johnston
George Johnston
George Norman Johnston was a politician elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the first time in 1921, He served as Speaker of the Alberta Legislature from 1921 to 1936. He was defeated in 1935 when Social Credit swept to power...
and Charmian Clift
Charmian Clift
Charmian Clift was an Australian writer and essayist during the mid 20th century. She was the second wife and literary collaborator of George Johnston.-Biography:...
. It was here that she began to write seriously. They lived on both Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
and Astros, and had a routine of writing six days a week. In 1977, they went to London via Yugoslavia, and over the next year they visited Ireland, England and Scotland, before going back to Greece, and then returning to Australia in 1978. On her return to Australia, she lived in Newtown
Newtown, New South Wales
Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west is located approximately four kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district, straddling the local government areas of the City of Sydney and Marrickville Council in the state of New South Wales, Australia....
.
Career
Wheatley's first book was Five Times DizzyFive Times Dizzy
Five Times Dizzy is a children's novel by Australian author Nadia Wheatley It was first published in 1982. In 1986 it became an Australian children's television series. The book is about the comedy and drama of a Greek Australian family in a multi-cultural neighbourhood of inner-city Sydney...
. Published in 1983, it was a critical success, and garnered many literary commendations and awards. Since then she has written many children's fiction and non-fiction books, most of them being shortlisted for and, often, winning awards.
She also wrote a biography of Charmian Clift
Charmian Clift
Charmian Clift was an Australian writer and essayist during the mid 20th century. She was the second wife and literary collaborator of George Johnston.-Biography:...
(2002) which won that year's Premier's reading challenge at the New South Wales Premier's History Awards
New South Wales Premier's History Awards
The State Government of New South Wales, Australia established the Premier's History Awards in 1997. In 2005 the name of the awards was changed to NSW History Awards...
. In 2006, she was a judge for these awards. She was also, in 2006, the University of Canberra
University of Canberra
Over the years the Stone Day program has gradually become larger and larger, taking up a whole week and now Stonefest is one of Australia's most popular music festivals. The first foundation celebrations were held in 1971. In 1973 Stone Day celebrations were held over two days, which was expanded...
's May Gibbs
May Gibbs
Cecilia May Gibbs MBE was an Australian children's author, illustrator, and cartoonist. She is best-known for her gumnut babies , and the book Snugglepot and Cuddlepie....
Fellow.
Increasingly, Wheatley has become involved in programs which further social, cultural and environmental awareness, particularly in children. She and Ken Searle took part in the Australian Society of Authors funded mentorship program for Indigenous writers. The result of their involvement was Mary Malbunka’s children’s book When I was Little, Like You (2003, Allen & Unwin
Allen & Unwin
Allen & Unwin, formerly a major British publishing house, is now an independent book publisher and distributor based in Australia. The Australian directors have been the sole owners of the Allen & Unwin name since effecting a management buy out at the time the UK parent company, Unwin Hyman, was...
).
"Going Bush" project
Nadia's book, Going Bush, grew out of a Harmony DayHarmony Day
Harmony Day is held on 21 March. Managed by the , Harmony Day celebrates the cohesive and inclusive nature of Australia and promotes a tolerant and culturally diverse society....
project developed in 2003 by eight inner-Sydney city schools. The initial plan was to break down barriers between the communities but it developed into a larger project which included learning about the environment, Indigenous culture, and living in multicultural communities, and involved sixteen Muslim, Catholic and government schools. In 2005 Nadia Wheatley and Ken Searle
Ken Searle
Ken Searle is an Australian artist who was born in Sydney and grew up around Cooks River in the south-western suburbs of the city.Searle is a self-taught artist who began exhibiting his paintings and drawings in the mid 1970s and has held at least 24 solo exhibitions since...
were invited by the committee to work with the children on "the theme of freedom". Wheatley and Searle used an educational model they had developed with others in the 1990s at Papunya School in Central Australia which "puts country at the core of the curriculum". The result was the book, Going Bush, which captures what the children learnt through exploring a section of urban bushland along Wolli Creek.
Awards and nominations
Five Times DizzyFive Times Dizzy
Five Times Dizzy is a children's novel by Australian author Nadia Wheatley It was first published in 1982. In 1986 it became an Australian children's television series. The book is about the comedy and drama of a Greek Australian family in a multi-cultural neighbourhood of inner-city Sydney...
- 1983: New South Wales Premier's Literary AwardsNew South Wales Premier's Literary AwardsThe New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards were established in 1979 by the New South Wales Premier Neville Wran. Commenting on its purpose, Wran said: "We want the arts to take, and be seen to take, their proper place in our social priorities...
Special Children's Book Award - 1983: Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year for Older Readers. Highly Commended
- 1983: International Board on Books for Young PeopleInternational Board on Books for Young PeopleThe International Board on Books for Young People is a non-profit organization based in Switzerland committed to bringing books and children together.-History:...
. Honorary Diploma - 1987: AWGIE AwardsAWGIE AwardsThe AWGIE Awards is an annual awards ceremony conducted by the Australian Writers' Guild, for excellence in screen, television, stage and radio writing. The awards began in 1967....
for Best Adaptation, Children's Television Drama (television mini-series)
Dancing in the Anzac Deli
- 1984: Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year for Older Readers. Commended
- 1985: International Board on Books for Young PeopleInternational Board on Books for Young PeopleThe International Board on Books for Young People is a non-profit organization based in Switzerland committed to bringing books and children together.-History:...
. Honorary Diploma
The House that was Eureka
- 1984: The Australian/Vogel Literary AwardThe Australian/Vogel Literary AwardThe Australian/Vogel Literary Award is an Australian literary award for unpublished manuscripts by writers under the age of 35. The prize money, currently A$20,000, is the richest and most prestigious award for an unpublished manuscript in Australia...
. Shortlisted - 1985: New South Wales Premier's Literary AwardsNew South Wales Premier's Literary AwardsThe New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards were established in 1979 by the New South Wales Premier Neville Wran. Commenting on its purpose, Wran said: "We want the arts to take, and be seen to take, their proper place in our social priorities...
Children's Book Award - 1985: Children's Council of Australia Book of the Year for Older Readers. Commended
My Place
- 1988: Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year for Younger Readers
- 1988: Eve Pownall Award for Non-fiction
- 1988: KOALAKoalaThe koala is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae....
- 1988: White Raven Award Award
- 1988: Listed US Library Best Books for Young People
- 1990: YABBAYabbaStephen Harold Gascoigne, better known as Yabba, was an Australian sports fan, remembered as a heckler at Sydney Cricket Ground cricket and rugby league games in the early part of the 20th century...
- 1990: International Board on Books for Young PeopleInternational Board on Books for Young PeopleThe International Board on Books for Young People is a non-profit organization based in Switzerland committed to bringing books and children together.-History:...
. Honorary Diploma
Lucy in the Leap Year
- 1994: Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year for Younger Readers
- 1994: New South Wales Ministry for the Arts Awards. Shortlisted
- 1994: Multicultural Award. Shortlisted
The Night Tolkien Died
- 1995: Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year for Older Readers. Honour Book
Highway
- 1999: Children's Book Council of Australia. Honour Book
Papunya School Book of Country and History
- 2002: Children's Book Council of Australia. Shortlisted
The Life and Myth of Charmian Clift
- 2002: New South Wales Premier's History AwardsNew South Wales Premier's History AwardsThe State Government of New South Wales, Australia established the Premier's History Awards in 1997. In 2005 the name of the awards was changed to NSW History Awards...
Premier's Australian History Prize
Going Bush
- 2007: Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing. Shortlisted
Children’s
- Five times dizzy (1982 , Oxford University Press)
- Dancing in the Anzac Deli (1984, Oxford University Press)
- The House that was Eureka (1985, Viking Kestrel)
- 1 is for One (illus. Helen Leitch, 1986, Oxford University Press)
- My Place (illus. Donna Rawlins, 1987, Collins Dove)
- )*Adolescents and family problems: books for young people (1988, Australian Institute of Family Studies)
- Children and family problems: books for young children (1988, Australian Institute of Family Studies)
- Lucy in the Leap Year (1993, Omnibus)
- The Night Tolkien Died (1994, Random House)
- The Greatest Treasure of Charlemagne the King (illus. Deborah Klein, 1997)
- Highway (illus. Andrew McLean, 1998)
- Luke's Way of Looking (illus. Matt Ottley, 1999)
- Vigil (2000, Viking)
- Papunya School Book of Country and History (2002, illus, Ken Searle; in collaboration with Anangu staff and students, Papunya School)
- A Banner Bold: The Diary of Rosa Aarons, Ballarat goldfield, 1854 (2000, Scholastic)
- Listening to Mondrian (2006, Allen and Unwin)
- Going Bush (illus. Ken Searle, 2007, Allen and Unwin)
Scripts
- Charmian Clift and George Johnston (radio documentary), with Garry Kinnane, Radio Helicon, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 1985
- Five times dizzy (12-part television mini-series) with Terry Larsen, Samson Productions/Special Broadcasting Service, 1986.