By Oliver Lees
A bestselling author and local school principal has been recognised for his contributions to Australian literature and education with an honorary doctorate.
John Marsden received the honorary doctorate from the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) at a graduation ceremony at the university’s campus in early April.
The 70-year-old created the Tomorrow, When the War Began young adult series which, after its release in 1993, went on to sell millions of copies before being made into a motion picture and television series.
Following the release of a number of popular novels, Marsden pivoted his focus to education, setting up sister-schools Candlebark and the Alice Miller School in 2006 and 2016 respectively.
USC chancellor, Sir Angus Houston, said Marsden had made bold strides in education and creative writing and made a unique contribution to Australian culture and society.
“His persistence throughout life, despite obstacles in his own youth, and his achievements in Australia and on the world stage make John Marsden a worthy recipient of doctor of the
university,” Sir Houston said.
Marsden said the award was a great source of personal pride and a positive sign that a career writing and educating youth can be taken seriously.
“To me, the conferral of the honorary doctorate by the University of the Sunshine Coast is an acknowledgement by this distinguished body that such areas as the schooling of young
people and the writing of fiction for young people do matter, that these are not inconsequential affairs,” he said.
“When I first had novels for teenagers published, I found to my surprise that I had joined a group which was brushed aside by reviewers, critics and even other authors.
“We were not taken seriously, in the same way that western society regarded adolescents as irrelevant and irreverent.
“Gradually, the standing of those who work with young people and those who write for young people seems to have changed, and the treatment of young people has improved significantly.”
Both located in the Macedon Ranges, Candlebark and the Alice Miller School were founded under the notion of ‘no exclusion’, in order to create an environment of tolerance and curiosity.
Marsden has a nonfiction book on the way called No Risk, which will explore his experience of parenting and education.
