AWARDS, COMMENDATION AND RECOGNITION
IN 1997, COLIN WAS MADE A COMPANION IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA FOR SERVICES TO LITERATURE AND EDUCATION
OTHER GENERAL RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
1959-60
Fulbright Scholarship to United States and Canada
1974
The Colin Thiele Library, Magill Campus of the University of South Australia
1980
Advance Australia Award, for contribution to children’s literature
1989
Great South Australian Award, for services to the arts
Thiele Library for senior students, joint library for Golden Grove High School, Pedare College and Gleeson College, South Australia
South Australian Communicator of the Year Award, Toastmasters
1990
Matthew Flinders Anglican College, Buderim, secondary school house
1993
Trinity College Gawler, secondary school house
1995
Commemorative statue made by sculptor Chris Radford installed in Centenary Gardens, Eudunda
1997
Dromkeen Medal, for contribution to children’s literature
New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards, special award for general recognition of a writer’s achievements
1999
Honorary Doctorate, The University of South Australia, for contributions to Education and to Literature
2001
Centenary Medal of Australian Federation, contribution to Australia award, for distinguished services to the arts as a poet and novelist
2004
Biography (Can I Call you Colin?) written by Stephany Evans Steggall
2005
Route B81, South Australia, named the Thiele Highway
2006
Speech Pathology Australia, Hall of Fame
2008
Thiele Primary School named
2010
Memorial at Salt Creek, South Australia, in memory of his life and work
AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS FOR SPECIFIC WORKS
1944
W.J. Miles Poetry Prize: Progress to Denial (manuscript)
1951
Commonwealth of Australia Jubilee Federal Arts Competitions, radio play winner: Edge of Ice
Commonwealth of Australia Jubilee Federal Arts Competitions, radio feature winner: The Golden Tide
1952
World Short Story Quest, prizewinner (South Australian section): Lay Down a Life
1961
Grace Levin Poetry Prize: Man in a Landscape
Miles Franklin Award, commended: The Sun on the Stubble
1962
CBCA Book of the Year Award, commended: The Sun on the Stubble
1964
CBCA Book of the Year Award, commended: Storm Boy
1966
CBCA Book of the Year Award, commended: February Dragon
1967-8
Commonwealth Literary Fund fellowship to write a biography of Sir Hans Heysen
1970
CBCA Book of the Year Award, commended: Blue Fin
1972
Hans Christian Andersen Award, international honours list: Blue Fin
1973
Writers’ Award (unofficial – presented by a group of writers): The Fire in the Stone
1974
CBCA Book of the Year Award, commended: The Fire in the Stone
Mystery Writers of America, runner-up citation: The Fire in the Stone
1975
CBCA Book of the Year Award, commended: Magpie Island
CBCA Book of the Year Award, worthy of mention: Uncle Gustav’s Ghosts
Edgar Allan Poe Award, best juvenile mystery, runner-up: The Fire in the Stone
1976
Award of the Silver Pencil (Netherlands): Storm Boy
1977
Austrian State Prize for Children’s Books, honours list: Magpie Island
1979
Austrian State Prize for Children’s Books, honours list: The Hammerhead Light
Austrian State Prize for Children’s Books, winner: The Sknuks
1980
CBCA Book of the Year Award, commended: River Murray Mary
1982
CBCA Book of the Year Award, winner: The Valley Between
1986
Austrian State Prize for Children’s Books, winner: Pinquo
1988
Christian Blind Mission International, book of the year: The Seed’s Inheritance
1989
New South Wales Family Therapy Association: family award for children’s books
1992
The International Board on Books for Young People, certificate of honour: Blue Fin
1994
Christian Book of the year, children’s award, Australian Christian Literature Society: Martin’s Mountain
1995
Christian Book of the year, children’s award, Australian Christian Literature Society: Gemma’s Christmas Eve
1996
YABBA Shortlist, recommendation: Jodie’s Journey
1997
The Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children’s Literature: High Valley
2004
YABBA Hall of Fame listing: Storm Boy
2015
YABBA Hall of Fame listing: Jodie’s Journey