AustLit logo

AustLit

Wendy Harmer Wendy Harmer i(A27095 works by) (birth name: Wendy Brown)
Born: Established: 1955 Yarram, Yarram - Woodside area, Central Gippsland, Gippsland, Victoria, ;
Gender: Female
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

Works By

Preview all
1 1 y separately published work icon Lies My Mirror Told Me Wendy Harmer , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2023 26629158 2023 single work autobiography

'Entertainer and national treasure Wendy Harmer tells all in her frank, fearless and funny memoir, Lies My Mirror Told Me.

''I've always believed where there's a chance, you have to take it . . . or invent it.'

'Wendy Harmer has had an extraordinary life.

'From being born with a severe facial deformity, to performing as a stand-up comedian, a national television host and then the highest paid woman in the cut-throat world of Sydney FM radio ... Wendy's tale of overcoming adversity is told with her trademark in-your-face frankness and celebrated wit.

'Starting life in rural Victoria, Wendy describes her time as a child in remote one-teacher, one-room country schools. As her teacher father moved around the state to take up new postings, Wendy, as the 'funny looking' kid often in the wrong colour school uniform, developed strategies to find new friends and fit in. When she was ten years old her mother went missing.

'It wasn't until she was well into her teens that Wendy had the reconstructive facial surgery that had long promised to transform her from a 'witch' into a 'princess', but fell agonisingly short.

'Somehow, despite her initial setbacks and emotional turmoil, Wendy showed the strength of character to carve her own way in the world.

'From political journalism, she took her first tentative steps on Melbourne's tiny stages in comedy revue, then struck out as a solo performer in stand-up comedy. She would make her mark internationally before coming home to entertain Australians for the past four decades on stage, in print, television and broadcasting.

'In Lies My Mirror Told Me Wendy reflects on her life - one of the most unlikely success stories you will ever read.' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Super, Spectacular Pearlie Wendy Harmer , North Sydney : Random House Australia , 2018 14090386 2018 selected work children's fiction children's fantasy

Seven dazzling Pearlie stories in one sparkling book!
 

1 y separately published work icon Ava and Angus Wendy Harmer , 2015 Gosford : Scholastic Australia , 2015 9474507 2015 series - author children's fiction
1 y separately published work icon Pearlie and the Imperial Princess Wendy Harmer , North Sydney : Random House Australia , 2015 9112944 2015 single work children's fiction children's

'Pearlie’s been invited to a glittering Chinese New Year party in the beautiful Forbidden City in Beijing. But a mix-up and a lost treasure threaten to ruin the celebrations. Can Pearlie cheer up fairy princess Li Mei and ensure the party goes off with a bang?' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Showtime Wendy Harmer , Andrea Edmonds (illustrator), Lindfield : Scholastic Australia , 2015 8298956 2015 single work picture book children's

'Ava and Angus are off to the Doolimba show, with its fun rides and lots of cute animals! But when daring twins Donna and Danny Donnelly tempt Ava to sneak into the animals' shed at night time, dozens of prize animals escape their pens! Ava and Angus's delightful trip has turned into a disaster! Will the Donnelly twins own up? Or will Ava and Angus take all the blame?' (Publication summary)

1 Angela Catterns and Wendy Harmer Angela Catterns , Wendy Harmer , 2014 single work correspondence
— Appears in: Between Us : Women of Letters 2014; (p. 247-260)
1 Wendy Harmer Wendy Harmer , 2014 single work correspondence
— Appears in: Between Us : Women of Letters 2014; (p. 92-96)
1 1 y separately published work icon Catching a Wave Wendy Harmer , Gosford : Scholastic Australia , 2014 7472945 2014 single work children's fiction children's

'Ava Anne Appletons amazing adventure continues and the next stop for the Appleton family is the beach! Sun, sand, surf sensational! But when Ava meets a new friend who needs her help, will she be adventurous enough to dive in and lend a hand?' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Pearlie Goes to Rio Wendy Harmer , North Sydney : Random House , 2014 7192564 2014 single work children's fiction children's

'Hurly-burly! Pearlie takes part in a Butterfly Carnival in Rio.

'When Pearlie arrives in the dazzling Tijuca Forest in Brazil, she discovers a world of creatures she's never seen before. There are shiny beetles, and lizards that walk on water. But the most amazing creatures of all are the beautifully coloured caterpillars.

'Pearlie helps her new friend, Morena the Tijuca Forest fairy, prepare for a giant celebration. But some very naughty birds and a case of mistaken identity could ruin the party completely! Is it Pearlie to the rescue or Pearlie being rescued?'

(Publication abstract)

1 2 y separately published work icon Up and Away Wendy Harmer , Gosford : Scholastic Australia , 2014 6346002 2014 single work children's fiction children's

'The Appletons road trip continues and Ava has discovered that life on the road is not so bad after all. With her dog Angus by her side, she is ready for adventure! Everything is absolutely A-OK ... until Ava finds herself going higher than she ever thought possible! Will Ava Anne Appleton be UP for this much adventure?' (Publication summary)

1 2 y separately published work icon Accidental Adventurer Wendy Harmer , Gosford : Scholastic Australia , 2013 5992480 2013 single work children's fiction children's

'Everything is A-OK in the world of Ava Anne Appleton. She lives with her mum, dad and her dog Angus, at number 3A Australia Avenue. Life is perfectly orderly-just how she likes it. But then, the Appleton family heads off on a grand adventure for a whole year. Ava is horrified! But when Ava meets the wild and zippy Zander, she starts to wonder - maybe this adventurous life, and a little bit of disorder, mightn't be so bad after all!' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon Ava Anne Appleton Wendy Harmer , Andrea Edmonds (illustrator), Gosford : Scholastic Australia , 2013 5992447 2013 series - author children's fiction children's
1 Women Talk Back Wendy Harmer , 2013 single work essay
— Appears in: Destroying the Joint : Why Women Have to Change the World 2013; (p. 172-181)
1 5 y separately published work icon I Made Lattes for a Love God Wendy Harmer , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2012 Z1896566 2012 single work novel young adult 'Elly Pickering has a juicy secret. A secret her PR mum won't let her tell anyone because if the kids at Oldcastle High knew that mega-star Jake Blake (yes, THE Jake Blake, teen sensation and all round heart-throb) was coming to Oldcastle to film his latest movie, they might just explode with excitement.

'Elly is determined to get on set and to get more than a glimpse of her Hollywood crush. But now thanks to an unfortunate incident involving a car, a red handbag and the paparazzi, it looks like Elly's lost a lot more than her opportunity to be close to Hollywood royalty. She's lost her dignity, her job and her best friend. How can she get everything back to normal?' (From the publisher's website.)
2 1 y separately published work icon Pearlie and the Flamenco Fairy Wendy Harmer , North Sydney : Random House , 2012 7192376 2012 single work children's fiction children's

'Pearlie is visiting sunny Spain! Her new fairy friend Florentina is throwing a fabulous flamenco party in her honour. But Pearlie is a little worried. She doesn't know how to dance the flamenco. Can the famous Señor Philippe teach her some magical moves so all the fairies will shout ‘Olé'?' (Publication summary)

3 1 y separately published work icon Pearlie in Paris Wendy Harmer , North Sydney : Random House Australia , 2011 Z1795779 2011 single work children's fiction children's 'Ooh-la-la! Pearlie has arrived in a grand palace garden in Paris, where Fifi the French fairy is preparing to unveil her fabulous fashion collection. Soon all Fifi's friends will be there to admire the dazzling gowns and Pearlie will have a front row seat. When Fifi's plans are turned upside down, can Pearlie weave a little magic and bring some Jubilee Park glamour to Paris in time for Fifi's show?' (Source: publisher's website.)
2 y separately published work icon Pearlie and the Silver Fern Fairy Wendy Harmer , North Sydney : Random House Australia , 2011 Z1795773 2011 single work children's fiction children's 'In a lush New Zealand forest, Pearlie is helping the park fairy Omaka prepare a very special party. The rushing streams and glistening silver fern fronds make one of the loveliest sights Pearlie has ever seen, but soon she discovers that this wild park is full of surprises. And its creatures are the most surprising of all! When Pearlie finds herself lost among the ancient trees, she starts to worry. Is something hiding in the branches? Perhaps a wise old local could let Pearlie in on some of the forest's secrets'. (Source: publisher's website.)
1 5 y separately published work icon Friends Like These Wendy Harmer , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2011 Z1763756 2011 single work novel

'Greed, fraud, betrayal and resurrection - this is a search for something to believe in. A search that takes us to a baby-naming, a same-sex wedding and a funeral all performed by Jo Blanchard, newly trained civil celebrant.

Jo - recently single, 45-year-old mother of two - is the former deputy headmistress of Sydney's most exclusive private girls' school - Darling Point Ladies College. A year ago she was forced to abandon her post in a scandal that had all the social set talking. In fact, they're still talking.

Jo is moving on - but with friends like hers, maybe leaving them behind is her only option.' (From the publisher's website.)

3 y separately published work icon Pearlie and the Cherry Blossom Fairy Wendy Harmer , North Sydney : Random House Australia , 2010 Z1706296 2010 single work children's fiction children's 'It’s springtime when Pearlie arrives in Japan, and the parks are bursting with beautiful cherry blossom. Akiko, the park fairy of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, is thrilled to show Pearlie her home. It's all perfectly pink! But not for long – disaster strikes and the fairies have to muster all their magic to put things right . . . and save a new friend.' (From the publisher's website.)
1 I Love Sydney Adam Hills , Wendy Harmer , Louis Nowra , Peter FitzSimons , Lee Tulloch , Gabrielle Lord , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The (Sydney) Magazine , April no. 84 2010; (p. 42-43, 45-46, 48, 50)
High-profile Sydneysiders reveal the reasons behind their love affair with the city.
X