Max Fatchen facts for kids

Maxwell Edgar "Max" Fatchen was a much-loved Australian writer and journalist. He was especially known for his wonderful books and poems for children. Max lived from August 3, 1920, to October 14, 2012. He was also honored with the Order of Australia, which is a special award for Australians who have done great things.

Max Fatchen with fellow author Colin Thiele and Rhonnie Thiele in 2000.

Max's Early Life

Max Fatchen grew up on a farm near Angle Vale in South Australia. He learned how to drive big Clydesdale horses, which were used for farm work. For some of his high school studies, he learned at home. Once a week, he would ride his horse and buggy to Gawler High School to get his schoolwork checked. Imagine riding a horse and buggy to school!

Max's Career as a Writer

Max started his career in journalism as a "copy boy." This meant he helped deliver messages and copies of articles. He served in the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. After the war, he became a journalist for two big newspapers in Adelaide: The News and The Advertiser. He traveled a lot and reported on many important stories both in Australia and other countries.

Max began writing for children in 1966 with his book The River Kings. He wrote for over 40 years, mostly for primary school-aged kids. His children's poems, like "Just Fancy That," are still very popular today. Max wrote 20 books in total. His novels have been published in seven different countries, and his poetry is enjoyed by people all over the world where English is spoken.

Two of his books, The River Kings and Conquest of the River, were even turned into a TV mini-series called The River Kings in 1991.

Awards and Legacy

Max Fatchen received many awards for his amazing writing and his work as a journalist.

• Three of his books were highly praised in the Children's Book of the Year Award.
• He became a Member of the Order of Australia in 1980.
• He won the Advance Australia Award for literature in 1991.
• In 1996, he received a Walkley Award for his journalism, which is a very important award for Australian journalists.
• He also won the Primary English Teaching Associations Award for children's poetry in 1996.
• In 1999, he received the "SA Great" Award for Literature.
• He was given the Centenary Medal in 2003 for his service to the community through journalism, poetry, and writing for children.
• In 2004, he became the first-ever Life Member of the SA Writers Centre. This was to thank him for his many years of support and encouragement for other writers.

Max Fatchen's name lives on in several ways:

• Max Fatchen Drive in Angle Vale and the Max Fatchen Expressway are both named after him.
• The Max Fatchen Fellowship was created to celebrate his achievements. This fellowship helps young writers in South Australia who write for children.

A plaque on the Fatchen memorial at Angle Vale, South Australia.

Max Fatchen's Books

Here are some of the books Max Fatchen wrote:

• The River Kings (1966): A novel about life on a River Murray paddle steamer in the early 1900s.
• Conquest of the River (1970): This book, along with The River Kings, inspired the 1991 TV series.
• The Spirit Wind (1973): A novel set in the Australian outback.
• Time Wave (1978): A novel for children.
• Songs for My Dog and Other People (1980): A collection of poems.
• Closer to the Stars (1981): A novel set during wartime in 1941.
• Wry Rhymes for Troublesome Times (1983): A book of funny poems.
• Chase through the Night (1983): A novel set in outback Queensland.
• A Paddock of Poems (1987): More poems.
• Had Yer Jabs? (1987): A collection of short stories for children.
• A Pocketful of Rhymes (1989): Another book of poems.
• A Country Christmas (1990): A Christmas story.
• The Country Mail is Coming (1990): Poems about growing up in the Australian countryside.
• Peculiar Rhymes and Lunatic Lines (1995): A collection of unusual and funny poems.
• Mostly Max (1995): A selection of his columns from The Advertiser newspaper.
• Australia at the Beach (1999): A book about Australian beach life.
• Songs for My Dog and Other Wry Rhymes (1999): A revised edition of his earlier poetry book.
• The Very Long Nose of Jonathan Jones (2000): A funny story told in verse.
• Terrible Troy (2000): Humorous stories told in verse.
• Poetry All Sorts: The Max Fatchen Reciter (2003): A collection of his poems.
• Meet the Monsters (2004): A rhyming picture book.

Max also worked with other authors on books:

• Tea for Three (1993) with Colin Thiele.
• Are You in There? (2004) with Rosaleen Stewart.
• Tadpoles in the Torrens: Poems for Young Readers (2013): A book with poems by Max and other famous children's authors.