Lyricist and poet, best known for his collection of fifteen Australian Christmas carols, set to music by William G. James.
Wheeler was born in Colac, and educated at Colac High School and Melbourne Grammar. He originally worked as a teacher in Victoria. He was said to be proficient in French (as well as English), and could read and understand both Spanish and Classical Greek: he taught history and English.
From 1938 to 1964, he was employed as a script-writer with the Australian Broadcasting Commission, for whom he wrote radio plays and documentaries. He was also said to have written for television.
In 1976, Wheeler retired back to Colac with his wife, Margaret.
Source:
'John Wheeler 1901-1984', APRA: Magazine of the Australasian Performing Rights Association, December 1984, p.23.
