Leslie Rees

Born in Perth in 1905, Leslie Rees wore many hats. He was an author, playwright, critic, theatre historian and editor of radio drama for the ABC, but it was as an advocate for Australian drama that he made his greatest contribution.

Rees’ own work included Sub-Editor’s Room, Lalor of Eureka, which won a 1939 Melbourne New Theatre competition; and an adaptation of Ruth Park’s Harp in the South, in collaboration with the author. Rees also wrote many books for children; the tale of Digit Dick, ‘the boy as big as his mother’s toe’, was probably the most popular. His bush stories teem with enchanting characters like Shy the Platypus and Karrawingi the Emu.

In 1981, in recognition of his ‘services to literature’, Leslie Rees was made a member of the Order of Australia. In 1999 he was honoured with a special award in the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards for his unparalleled contribution to the Australian theatre and writing

Leslie Rees died on 17 August 2000. He was 94.