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AUTHOR

Being the son of an army officer, Robert Newton spent his childhood moving to different postings around Australia. Six schools later, including a stint in Singapore, his family finally settled in Melbourne.

 

Rob Newton - Runner

 

 

At an early age, Robert dreamed of playing the trombone, but soon discovered his arm wasn't long enough to fully extend the slide valve. Instead, he took up the trumpet and played briefly with the Melbourne Youth Symphonic Orchestra. After finishing school Robert, in his own words, didn't have a clue what he wanted to do, so filled his time studying and trying his hand at various jobs.

 

 

During this time he and his older brother ventured into small business and launched the very promising Newton Brother's Rubbish Removal Company. Despite its catchy slogan, 'WE'RE RUBBISH -- IF IT STINKS, WE WANT IT', the company, sadly, fell bankrupt. Thirteen years ago Robert decided to join The Metropolitan Fire Brigade as a full time firefighter. When he's not putting out fires he likes to surf and write.

 

 
 

To date, Robert has written five YA novels. MY NAME IS WILL THOMPSON, THE KHAKI KID, THE PUNJABI PAPPADAM and SATURDAY MORNING MOZART AND BURNT TOAST were all published through UQP. In 2005 Penguin published RUNNER, the story of a boy who runs messages for Squizzy Taylor, Melbourne's most dangerous gangster.

Robert's books have been widely praised for their ability to combine humour with serious issues. It's a combination that ensures the reader is hit where they laugh - and where they think.

Robert is available for upper primary and early secondary school visits and can guarantee well-behaved audiences. Did we tell you he has a black belt in karate?

 

"Robert's talk was an entertaining mix of information about his books, writing and his other profession as a firefighter. His comfortable manner and his sense of humour soon had his Year 7 audience at ease. The students responded enthusiastically with a large range of questions. Highly recommended."

-Jan Wilson, St Leonard's College.

"Robert spoke to reluctant readers in small groups of Year 9 and Year 7 boys. He was excellent in his presentation, keeping them interested and engaged... and varying his material to suit his audience. Very impressed. Students comments... ranged through 'cool, 'fantastic', 'tops'. Our principal attended the initial session and was very pleased."

-Helen Zizys, St Helena Secondary College.

"Excellent - students were actually very interested in the fact that he was a fireman as well as an author... Stimulated further discussion and writing!"

- Anne Sim, Dromana Secondary College.

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