Awards

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