By Lachlan Abbott and Debbie Cuthbertson
Acclaimed Australian author John Marsden, who wrote the popular young adult fiction Tomorrow books, has died aged 74.
The Alice Miller School, which Marsden founded, confirmed his death in a letter to parents. “He died at his desk in his home, doing what he loved, writing,” the statement said.
Author John Marsden.Credit: Michael Copp
The multi-award winning and bestselling author’s 1993 novel Tomorrow, When the War Began was a major hit that was adapted into a film and TV series.
He established two schools in the Macedon Ranges north-west of Melbourne: the arts-based Alice Miller independent secondary college in Macedon (founded in 2016) and Candlebark School in Romsey (founded in 2006).
In an email to parents, the Alice Miller and Candlebark schools said Marsden had been struggling with his health for some time and had stepped down as principal this year.
“Yet he remained deeply connected to the school and its happenings, dropping into Candlebark for lunch every day and chatting with students and staff,” the email said.
“This year, John taught year 7 English at Candlebark, which he described as one of the three most memorable and rewarding teaching experiences of his long career. At the year 7 lunch last week, John thanked the class for their humour, playfulness and connection; it was clear how much they meant to him.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Marsden in a social media post on Wednesday night.
“John Marsden wanted young Australians to read more and his writing made that happen,” Albanese said.
“Vivid, funny, quintessentially Australian, he wrote with a real love for our land and a true sense of our people’s character. His was a great Australian voice that spoke to all ages, here and around the world. John’s work will live long in our national memory.”
Marsden was one of Australia’s most beloved and successful authors, selling over 5 million books. His work was translated into 15 languages.
Celebrated Australian children’s author Andy Griffiths said Marsden was “a passionate storyteller, teacher and staunch advocate for young people”.
“His ability to connect with teenagers was truly phenomenal and his dedication to expanding their imaginations and horizons through his bestselling books and innovative schools was inspirational,” Griffiths said in a statement to this masthead.
“I’ll miss his humour, sharp intelligence and fearlessness in speaking his mind no matter who he offended or what the cost.”
Before founding two schools, Marsden spent decades teaching elsewhere, including at Geelong Grammar’s Timbertop and Fitzroy Community School.
“Prior to his career in education, he worked in various jobs including in an abattoir, as a lorry driver, and in the emergency ward in a hospital (the job he most likened to working as a school principal),” the Alice Miller and Candlebark schools said in a separate media statement.
“As an author, John’s contribution to young adult literature was revolutionary. His unflinching honesty in addressing complex themes resonated with readers globally, earning him numerous awards including the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award.”
Sarita Ryan, the principal of the Alice Miller and Candlebark schools, said in an email to parents that she was comforted that Marsden had been able to attend the grade 6 graduation last Thursday night.
“The grade 6s spoke in heartfelt and reverential ways about what the school meant to them and how grateful they were to John for creating it,” Ryan wrote. “These were the experiences that John carried with him in his final days.”
Ryan said Marsden “lived for schools” and was prouder of his contribution to education than the millions of books he sold.
“He was a force, a trailblazer, and a visionary, yet humble, kind and intensely private,” she said.
Australian author Alice Pung, who wrote a book about Marsden, said she had emailed him as recently as last week. “He was a good friend, and it seems sudden,” she said. “I can’t believe it.”
Marsden in the science lab of the Alice Miller School in 2016.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes à Court, who attended Geelong Grammar while Marsden taught there in the 1980s, described the late author as a standout teacher.
“Very sad to hear of the passing of John Marsden,” he wrote on X. “He was one of the standout teachers through my schooling – in many ways similar to the character of John Keating in Dead Poets Society.”
Melbourne writer and broadcaster Daniel James paid tribute to Marsden’s impact on him after visiting his high school.
“I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be near the writer I am today if John Marsden hadn’t visited Euroa High School a couple of times,” James wrote on X.
“He challenged us and gave us inventive exercises that have always stayed with me and sparked my curiosity. Vale.”
Marsden’s 2019 book The Art of Growing Up was the source of some criticism for his characterisation of “toxic parenting” contributing to domestic violence, and describing bullying as often being prompted by the “unlikeable behaviours” of the child being bullied.
Writer, editor and arts administrator Esther Anatolitis said she was saddened to hear of Marsden’s death.
Anatolitis said Marsden was generous with his time while she was working with young writers’ organisation Express Media, and in his efforts with the John Marsden & Hachette Australia Prize for Young Writers.
“He was a constant source of inspiration and encouragement as our patron, generously funding a new prize for young writers,” she wrote. “We didn’t always agree but I always knew his ethic was genuine. Vale.”
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