Jack Bedson facts for kids

John William "Jack" Bedson (born 5 March 1950) is an Australian writer, poet, and author of children's picture books. He also worked for many years as a university librarian.

Early Life and School Days

Jack Bedson was born in the Sydney suburb of Redfern. He grew up in the inner parts of Sydney. His father, William John Alexander Bedson, worked with metal. He grew up on a famous area called 'The Block' in Redfern.

Jack's mother, Lucy Clymer, had a very difficult childhood. She was part of what is known as the White Stolen Generations. This means she was taken away from her family as a child. She was placed in foster care and did not get to go to school. Later, as a young woman, her baby was given to foster parents.

Jack went to preschool at Blackfriar's School in Chippendale. He then went to primary school at St Benedict's Broadway. He described growing up in Sydney's inner suburbs as a time when "Our feet were like leather and we knew little fear." He said kids would wander far from home and learn about life on the streets. Even though it was a tough area, they didn't see themselves as unlucky.

He went to high school at De La Salle College in Marrickville. After school, he briefly worked at TCN9 in Willoughby. This was when television in Australia was still in black and white! He was accepted into a production course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). However, he chose to study Arts at the University of New South Wales instead. He graduated with high honors in 1973. The next year, he earned a diploma in librarianship.

Starting His Career

Jack Bedson began his career as a librarian in Burnie, Tasmania. He worked for the State Library of Tasmania. While in Burnie, he also learned how to be a ticketwriter. This is when he started publishing his poetry.

He then spent three years traveling across Asia and Europe with his partner, Margaret Anne Bain. After their travels, they settled in Armidale, New South Wales. Here, Jack worked at the library of the University of New England. Jack and Margaret have one son named Remy.

Writing and Library Work

Jack Bedson's work as a librarian included many different tasks. He worked on lists of books and managed library disasters. He also helped preserve old and important documents. He even served as the University Librarian at the University of New England in 2000 and again from 2007 to 2009.

He is well-known for his children's picture books. His popular books, Don't Get Burnt and SheepDogs, were illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe. These books tell classic Australian stories about city life and the bush.

Jack also writes poetry for adults. His poems often include short, wise sayings called aphorisms. For example, in his poem Karma, Sorta, he wrote:

Youth's the Perfect Crime,

Adulthood the Perfect Punishment'