We all remember where we were when Princess Diana died, but can you remember where you were when you heard of Mother Teresa’s death?
Would it surprise you to know that the Indian nun – soon to be a saint – died only six days after the ‘People’s Princess’?
When we celebrate the 10th anniversary of their deaths next year, the loss of Mother Teresa is sure to be overshadowed by the grief surrounding Diana.
Also lost amongst the recent famous deaths in Australia was Colin Thiele.
The renown children’s author died on September 4, the same day as Steve Irwin.
Thiele is best known for writing ‘Storm Boy’, however he was one of Australia’s most prolific children’s writers, publishing more than 100 books.
He wrote his fist book at aged 11 and promptly burnt it.
His books won numerous awards and introduced thousands of Australian boys and girls to the benefits and joys of reading.
He was also a great educator. His Diploma of Education sandwiched World War Two and went on to teach English at Port Lincoln and the Eyre Peninsula.
He also taught at Brighton High School and joined the staff of Wattle Park Teachers’ centre in 1957.
He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 1958, became vice principal then principal of Murray Park College of Advanced Education and then became Director of Wattle Park until his retirement in 1980.
Thiele is one of Australia’s literary heroes, and his death was unfortunately lost among those of a sports star and a person their own TV show.
