Ms Jackie French AM

Author

Jackie French AM has written over 250 books in many genres spanning history, ecology, children's literature and historical fiction for adults and young people. She has won or been shortlisted for over 150 awards both nationally and internationally, including 2015 Senior Australian of the Year and Australian Children's Laureate in 2014-15.  Jackie is heavily involved as either patron, ambassador or director to various organisations that promote literacy, wildlife research and the right of every child and adult to access the books they love or need.

Jackie went to BSHS from 1966 to 1970, but aside from some academic papers, didn't begin her writing career till the 1980s. French's admission that she is dyslexic inspired requests for help from other dyslexic students or their families and she went on to become a strong advocate for changing regulations and furthering research into programs that address learning difficulties. The breadth of her work and confidence in the miracles of education stems from the many inspirational and passionate teachers in her years at State High, who went far beyond the textbook to diversify her access to education and generously failed to tell her just how many hours they had spent trying to decipher her handwriting, until decades after she left school.

Ms French believes that most teachers love to teach and will respond with enthusiasm to any student who asks for more. She advises that 'Life is short and this small blue planet spinning in the darkness is miraculous. Never waste time on boredom, status, doing what is expected just because it is expected, or to make money, which is like water: necessary for survival but if you stay in it too long, you drown. Choose everything from your ice-cream to your career with passion, courage, integrity, fulfilment and the determination not to waste a drop'.