Media Release
29 January 2015
I am saddened to hear of the passing of well-known Norfolk Island resident and author, Ms Colleen McCullough AO.
Ms McCullough was born in Wellington, NSW in 1937. Her mother was a New Zealander. Her family settled in Sydney and she attended Holy Cross College. She continued her studies at the University of Sydney (in medicine).
During her stay in the USA while studying and teaching at Yale, Ms Cullough wrote her first two books—“The Thorn Birds” being the most celebrated. In 1983 the book became an international best seller and a highly commended television mini-series.
Ms McCullough moved to Norfolk Island in the late 1970s. She married Ric Robinson in April 1983. A portrait of Miss McCullough was painted by artist Wesley Walters and featured as a finalist in the Archibald Prize in 1984.
A member of the New York Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Association of the Advancement of Science, Ms McCullough led an extraordinary life.
Along with all residents of Norfolk Island and those who loved her literary works, I would like to extend my condolences to her family and friends.
His Honour the Hon. Gary Hardgrave