Labor is deeply saddened by the news that much loved author Colleen McCullough has passed away.

 

Colleen began her writing career with an act of youthful rebellion.

 

"So I went to town with the five pounds to buy an overcoat, and I saw a bluebird portable typewriter for five pounds so I bought that instead," she said.

 

Her impulse purchase immeasurably enriched the literary landscape of our nation and the world.

 

Colleen wrote her first novel while she was a medical researcher and lived a life renowned for art, literature, science and community service in a unique and unprecedented way.

 

Young people who were captivated by The Thorn Birds are parents and grandparents now - watching new generations fall in love with Colleen's evocative word pictures and the clarity of her prose.

 

Colleen has written her final word but she lives on in bookshelves and libraries around the world - and in the hearts of all who loved her.

 

Colleen's family and friends have our heartfelt condolences.

 

THURSDAY, 29 JANUARY 2015

 

MEDIA CONTACT: LEADER’S OFFICE MEDIA UNIT 02 6277 4053