Colin Thiele and Rhonnie Thiele with Max Fatchen standing behind at the State Library's 'Colin Thiele Day' in the Mortlock Library on 14 September 2000
Early life
Fatchen was born at "Narma" private hospital, South Terrace, Adelaide, the only son[1] of Cecil William Fatchen and Isabel Harriet Fatchen, née Ridgway,[2] of "Garowen", Angle Vale.[3]
He spent his childhood on an Adelaide Plains farm at Angle Vale. He learned to drive a team of Clydesdale horses and did part of his secondary school studies at home, driving his horse and buggy once a week to Gawler High School to have his papers corrected.[citation needed]
Four decades of writing for children, especially those of primary school age, began in 1966 with The River Kings. His children's poems, such as "Just fancy that", remain popular. He wrote 20 books; his novels appear in seven countries, and his poetry appears throughout the English-speaking world.[citation needed]
The River Kings and Conquest of the River were the basis for a TV mini-series, The River Kings, in 1991.[6]
Adult life
Max resided at Jane Street, Smithfield from 1952 (now called Max Fatchen Mews [7]) for most of his adult life. He died on 14 October 2012 in his sleep at Gawler Health Service, Gawler East, South Australia.[8]
Honours and legacy
Plaque on the Fatchen memorial at Angle Vale, South Australia
The Max Fatchen Fellowship was named to celebrate his achievements and commitment to children’s literature and the local writing community. It is open to South Australian writers for young people.[12]
Bibliography
By Max Fatchen
The River Kings (1966) novel set on River Murray paddle steamer in early 20th century ISBN9781862546639
Conquest of the River, illustrated by Clyde Pearson, published Methuen & Co. (1970) ISBN0416144802
Note: This and The River Kings above were the basis of the 1991 television series The River Kings
The Spirit Wind, illustrated by Trevor Stubley, published Methuen (1973) novel set in outback South Australia ISBN0416769403 Also available in braille edition
Meet the Monsters, illustrated by Cheryll Johns, Omnibus Books (2004) rhyming picture book ISBN1862915288
As co-author or contributor
Soundings: Poetry and Poetics proceedings of the Third Biennial National Conference on Poetry, Adelaide, 7–9 November 1997 / edited by Lyn Jacobs and Jeri Kroll, publisher Wakefield Press (1998) ISBN1862544727
Tea for Three with Colin Thiele, illustrated by Craig Smith, published Harcourt Education (1993) ISBN1863912436
Are You in There? with Rosaleen Stewart, illustrated by Mitch Vane (2004) ISBN0123604281
Andrew Male Other Times Wakefield Press, Adelaide (1997) includes selections from Max's writings, many not previously republished ISBN9781862543836[13]
References
^"Engagement". The News (Adelaide). Vol. 38, no. 5, 761. South Australia. 13 January 1942. p. 5. Retrieved 27 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Family Notices". The Advertiser (Adelaide). Vol. LXII, no. 19, 063. South Australia. 18 November 1919. p. 6. Retrieved 27 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Family Notices". The Express and Telegraph. Vol. LVII, no. 17, 108. South Australia. 13 August 1920. p. 3. Retrieved 27 June 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
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