Jill Morris (Farrar, 1953)
Passing on the art of playful storytelling
Jill’s passion and skills in storytelling have led her to publish and produce widely, across fiction, journalistic, TV and theatrical spheres.
'I was a Grammar girl from 1949-1952.
'Following my Grammar inspirations as President of the Dramatic Society, I became a playwright: for Christmas in Storyland (nine times); Granny’s Attic for Brisbane Arts Theatre; The Story of the Silver River for Twelfth Night Theatre; Almost a Dinosaur, Swallowchick and Dairymouse for Polyglot Puppets; The Ark of Oz for Monash Theatre; and Bangotcher Junction (radio serial in 65 episodes) for BBC Radio One and Radio Hong Kong.
'After my first publications by Jacaranda Press, I had more than 100 children’s books published by Penguin, OUP, Methuen, Rigby Education, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich and many others, attaining awards such as Whitley Award for Environment, Educational Publishing awards, Wilderness awards, Children’s Book Council awards and the Dame Annabel Rankin Award, plus a Queen’s Medal. I received a Churchill Fellowship in 1972 to study in 14 countries in all media for children. As an ABC Producer I made the first children’s TV productions in Queensland in 1958.
'I also followed my Girls Grammar inspirations as editor of the School Magazine. In Melbourne, between 1979 – 1990, I worked as a freelance journalist. I wrote hundreds of articles for The Age as the Children’s TV and the Children’s Literature and Theatre writer, plus a front-page news scoop on The Village of Stone about the archaeological dig at Condah swamp of 196 stone constructions for eel-gathering. It was the first proof of Indigenous semi-sedentary occupation, and that discovery, as well as two other topics, became major features for ABC Radio Helicon.
'Additionally, I established Greater Glider Productions, a publishing company I managed that gave 40 other Australian writers and illustrators a published voice. I’m proud that it survived for 30 years in an extremely competitive world.
'As an ex-teacher and author, I set up my final home, the 50 Acre Book Farm, in the natural environment at Maleny. Here, books have been written and published, and thousands of children have been encouraged in creative skills by the rainforest on Obi Obi Creek.
'Girls Grammar gave me the start for all that. My time at the School gave me the confidence to take risks and innovate, plus the ability to communicate with anyone around the world at any level. At age 87, I am still writing (for the local theatre) and helping others in many ways. Grammar girls were trained to do that!'