Forgotten Author of the Week

Victor Kelleher

Victor Kelleher (born 1939) is an Australian author. Victor was born in London and moved to Africa with his parents, at the age of fifteen. He spent the next twenty years travelling and studying in Africa, before moving to New Zealand. Kelleher received a teaching degree in Africa and has taught in Africa, New Zealand and Australia. While in New Zealand, he began writing part time, prompted by homesickness for Africa. He moved to Australia in 1976, with his South African wife, Allison, and taught at the University of New England, in Armidale, New South Wales, before moving to Sydney to write full time. Many of the books he has written have been based on his childhood and his travellings in Africa.

In 1992 he won Children's book of the Year for his book Del-Del and in 1983 the same honor for Master of the Grove. Many more of his books have been nominated for honored for various awards.

Kelleher has written 43 books, 3 of which are a series and 2 are picture books. And 2 of which were written under the psuedonym, Veronica Hart. His most recent book, Dogboy, was released in 2006.

In 1993 a student at St. Stephens school like Kelleher's books so much that he and a friend even wrote a rap/poem for the author. He readily admits it wasn't his moment of glory but it is fun none the less.

Born In England, in London to be exact

Now he lives in Glebe 'cos that's where it's at

Victor Kelleher

Born on 19th July '39And he moved to Natal Uni '59

Victor Kelleher

South Africa's his pad in 1963

He hung out (in) Africa 'til 1973

I bet you're thinking right now "

I wish he'd shut his trap

"Everybody join in, sing the Kelleher Rap

Victor KelleherObsessed with the trends of the 90's age

Can't stand the bomb and the European way

Victor Kelleher

His favourite food:

He's snackin' on chips

He models clay pots and he's joggin' to get fit

Victor Kelleher

All through his teens he never read a book

But his books are still good, why don't you take a look

I bet you're really glad my singing's out of key

Everybody join in, you'll sing the rap with me
Victor KelleherIn '74 he began to write

When he was a kid he stayed up all night

Victor Kelleher

His parents were violent, they often had rows

But they were nice to him and they made him like now

Victor Kelleher

Up 'til now's written at least ten books

While his rough upbringing's made him nothing like a sook

I bet you're thinking right now

"His dancing's pretty bad"

Everybody join in, sing the Kelleher rap!