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Joan Phipson Joan Phipson i(A24341 works by) (birth name: Joan Margaret Fitzhardinge) (a.k.a. Joan Fitzhardinge; Joan Phipson-Fitzhardinge; Joan Margaret Phipson)
Born: Established: 16 Nov 1912 Warrawee, Turramurra - Pymble - St Ives area, Sydney Northern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales, ; Died: Ceased: 2 Apr 2003
Gender: Female
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BiographyHistory

Joan Phipson was born in Warawee, New South Wales. She had no siblings and lived a childhood of travel between Australia, England and India. She was educated at Frensham School, returning later to establish there the Frensham Press. During the late 1930s she worked as a secretary in London and a copy and script writer for a radio station in Sydney. She was a telegraphist in the Woman's Auxiliary Air Force during World War II and married farmer Colin Hardinge Fitzhardinge in 1944. In the 1960s they moved to a property called Wongalong, near Mandurama, which was to remain their home for the next 40 years.

In the early 1950s Angus & Robertson published one of Phipson's stories, beginning a career that went on to produce more than two dozen books. In 1953 Good Luck to the Rider won the Book of the Year Award of the Children's Book Council of Australia. She repeated her early success when The Family Conspiracy won the same award in 1963. Her early books provided simple adventure stories. But in her later work during the 1970s and 1980s, Phipson wrote complex stories that explored themes such as fear, environmental destruction, and notions of masculinity. Her contribution to the development of Australian children's literature was recognised in 1987 with the award of the Dromkeen Medal from the Courtney Oldmeadow Children's Literature Foundation.

Most Referenced Works

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon The Watcher in the Garden North Ryde : Methuen , 1982 Z832705 1982 single work children's fiction children's

'Trespassing in Mr Lovett's secluded garden was a welcome escape for sixteen-year-old Catherine. A haven away from the parents who didn't understand her moodiness and from her pretty, even-tempered sister, Diana, who she resented. It was a place to be alone.

But this all changes when Catherine is confronted by Mr Lovett and, realising he is blind, decides to confide in him. And so begins a remarkable friendship.

Unexpectedly, a third person appears in the garden: an intruder. Terry, abrasive and sullen, menacing even—has a claim to make on the garden. It is a piece of land he feels should belong to his own family. In his plan neither Mr Lovett nor the garden are safe and it is up to Catherine to stop him but in Terry, she recognises something of herself.

A complex and gripping novel of human relationships from one of Australia's foremost authors for young adults.' (Publisher's blurb)

1984 IBBY Honour Diploma Writing
1983 shortlisted CBCA Book of the Year Awards Book of the Year Award
y separately published work icon A Tide Flowing Sydney : Methuen Australia , 1981 Z667819 1981 single work children's fiction children's

'Tormented by his mother's death, his father's rejection, and his grandparent's inability to understand him, Mark finally finds new strength and purpose in his acquaintance with a young quadriplegic with whom he shares an interest in nature.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

1982 finalist CBCA Book of the Year Awards Book of the Year Award
y separately published work icon The Cats New York (City) : Atheneum , 1976 Z517297 1976 single work children's fiction children's thriller
1977 highly commended CBCA Book of the Year Awards Book of the Year Award

Known archival holdings

Albinski 180
Last amended 4 Dec 2006 11:07:18
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