Dr Robert Drewe is an author and former journalist. Born in Melbourne in 1943, he moved with his family to Western Australia at the age of six, where he spent his schooling years and early career.
He was chief of the Sydney bureau of The Age at the age of 22 before taking on roles with The Australian and The Bulletin, where he earned two Walkley Awards for journalism.
In 1976, Dr Drewe released his first fiction piece – The Savage Crows. He has since developed a body of works incorporating award-winning novels, memoirs, and short story collections. The Drowner made history by becoming the first novel to win the Premier’s Literary Prize in every state, and also won Australian Book of the Year in 1997. The same year, Dr Drewe received a Doctor of Letters honoris causa from UQ.
A number of Dr Drewe’s novels have been adapted for film, television, radio and the stage, including a movie adaptation of Our Sunshine, which was released internationally in 2003 under the title Ned Kelly, starring Heath Ledger.