'In light of her future career as a journalist and literary editor, Pat Rappolt's early education was somewhat remarkable. Living in the Cooktown region in Far Northern Queensland in the early twentieth century limited one's options - she never received a formal education and was home schooled with her brother and two sisters by her parents. This did not stop her from enjoying a lengthy career in journalism, one which extended across four decades and four states and territories in Australia. Pat's first journalist posting was on a Queensland provincial paper; her last was as the literary editor for the Canberra Times. Her importance in this role was acknowledged when a prize for young short story writers was named in her honour - The Canberra Times Pat Rappolt Literary Award.' Source: The Australian Women's Register http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE3802b.htm