AustLit logo

AustLit

Vashti Farrer Vashti Farrer i(A8100 works by) (a.k.a. Vashti Therese Waterhouse)
Born: Established: 1942 Sydney, New South Wales, ;
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 y separately published work icon Figures in the Landscape Vashti Farrer , Port Adelaide : Ginninderra Press , 2021 22524853 2021 selected work short story

'Vashti Farrer has had more than 100 short stories published. In this collection, she places characters in their historical settings or quirky, timeless situations, and explores the power of human interaction with humour, poignancy and compassion.' (Publication summary)
1 y separately published work icon Bridging Sydney Vashti Farrer , Lindfield : Scholastic Australia , 2019 19672818 2019 single work children's fiction children's 'I said to Mum that the sky-workers must have really good heads for heights, but she said, 'Either that, or they have a family to feed and will do anything for a job that pays.'

'It is 1932 and Sydney has hit hard times, but the construction of a bridge that will reach across the harbour is setting spirits soaring. Both Alice and Billy tell the story of building the spectacular Harbour Bridge, which will link the north shore to the working class suburbs of the southand unify a separated city. ' (Publication summary)
1 All Round the Room Vashti Farrer , 2017 single work short story
— Appears in: The Outback : Anthology of Short Stories Volume 2 2017; (p. 42-49)
1 y separately published work icon Ellen Thomson : Beyond a Reasonable Doubt? Vashti Farrer , Braddon : Halstead Press , 2014 8630408 2014 single work non-fiction biography

'At 8 o’clock on Monday morning, 13 June 1887, Ellen Thomson was hanged at Her Majesty’s Brisbane Gaol for the murder of her husband. She is the only woman to be executed under Queensland law.

'But did she receive a fair trial, and did she deserve the ultimate punishment?

'Author Vashti Farrer’s latest book reveals a tropical Queensland alive with goldrush excitement, and the hard lives of pioneering communities in Port Douglas, from English immigrants to Chinese settlers, all looking to make a better life.

'Into this world stepped a young widow, Ellen Thomson, who married an older farmer, Billy Thomson. After many years of working the farm on the Mossman River together, on the night of 22 October 1886, Billy Thomson was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head.

'What happened?

'The book outlines events of that fateful night, the subsequent trial and executions and gives a fascinating insight into life at the time.

'It also raises the question, was Ellen Thomson guilty beyond reasonable doubt?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.
1 3 y separately published work icon Sydney Harbour Bridge Vashti Farrer , Lindfield : Scholastic Australia , 2012 Z1863786 2012 single work children's fiction children's historical fiction 'It is 1932 and Sydney has hit hard times but the construction of a bridge that will reach across the harbour is setting spirits soaring. Both Alice and Billy tell the story of building the spectacular Harbour Bridge which will link the north shore to the working class suburbs of the south and unify a separated city' (Libraries Australia) . In the form of the diaries of Billy Thompson and Alice Carson Sydney, New South Wales, 1931-1932.
1 y separately published work icon When the War Came Vashti Farrer , Aspley : Anzac Day Commemoration Committee , 2012 6483269 2012 single work children's fiction children's war literature

'Sally and her friends live in Kings Cross where there's a constant fear of possible invasion, especially after Japanese mini-subs enter Sydney Harbour! There are rations and restrictions and blackouts and the constant worry of having fathers serving overseas. Even Sal's eccentric Gran can't always cheer her up as she waits for her Dad to come home.' (Publisher's blurb)
1 1 y separately published work icon Widow Hegarty’s Goat Vashti Farrer , Seven Hills : Five Senses Education , 2011 8807893 2011 selected work short story children's fiction children's

Widow Hegarty has an admirer in her neighbour, Seamus McGuire and a matchmaker in her goat.

'A humourous collection of short stories and poems which will delight young readers for years to come.

'Another hilarious book from the best-selling author Vashti Farrer.' (Publication summary)
1 1 y separately published work icon Mrs Papadopoulos's Purple Hippopotamuses Vashti Farrer , Seven Hills : Five Senses Education , 2011 8807857 2011 selected work short story children's fiction children's

'Mrs Papadopoulos couldn't resist buying herself an irresistable pair of purple hippopotamus slippers but they turned out to be quite a handful!

'A humourous collection of short stories and poems which will delight young readers for years to come.

'Another hilarious book from the best-selling author Vashti Farrer.' (Publication summary)
1 1 y separately published work icon Bruno Fiddlestein's Dilemma and Other Tall Tales Vashti Farrer , Seven Hills : Five Senses Education , 2011 8807819 2011 selected work short story children's fiction

'Bruno is a double bass player and his wife is a wonderful cook. He loves them both dearly but is faced with a terrible dilemma when he is forced to choose between them.

'A humorous collection of short stories and poems which will delight young readers for years to come.

'Another hilarious book from the best-selling author Vashti Farrer.' (Publication summary)
1 The First Melbourne Cup Vashti Farrer , 2010 single work column
— Appears in: Viewpoint : On Books for Young Adults , Spring vol. 18 no. 3 2010; (p. 7-8)
1 5 y separately published work icon Lilli-Pilli, The Frog Princess Vashti Farrer , Owen Swan (illustrator), Gosford : Scholastic Australia , 2010 Z1733986 2010 single work picture book children's
1 2 y separately published work icon Archer's Melbourne Cup : The Diary of Robby Jenkins Vashti Farrer , Lindfield : Scholastic Press Scholastic Press Scholastic Press Scholastic Press , 2007 Z1441238 2007 single work children's fiction children's historical fiction

'Archer was magnificent... His mane flew out as a ribbon behind him and his tail streamed like a flag in the wind. There was a fire in him as if he smelt danger on the wind and raced for it.

'When a new horse race called the Melbourne Cup is announced, Robby is sure Archer has what it takes to win—if he can overcome injury.' (Publication summary)
1 y separately published work icon Mr Pavlov's Possum Vashti Farrer , Vilma Cencic , Sydney : Lothian , 2007 Z1424274 2007 single work children's fiction children's humour

'When the last of his dogs dies, Mr Pavlov feels very sad. But then one night a possum arrives at his window and Mr Pavlov thinks he can train his new pet just as he trained his dogs. The possum has other ideas, and makes sure that Mr Pavolv's life is never the same again! Ages 6+.' (Publication summary)
1 y separately published work icon Big Feet, Very Sweet Vashti Farrer , Melbourne : Lothian , 2005 Z1269057 2005 single work children's fiction children's

Big-footed Prince Flip-Flop is the star of the Bengal Tigers football - team and he knows it. His uncoordinated brother Prince Flim -Flam writes poetry in the ivory tower. Flip-Flop is annoyed when Princess Marigold is uninspired by his performances at Saturday matches. Then one day she receives a beautiful poem. Ages 6-9.
1 2 y separately published work icon Breakfast With Buddha Vashti Farrer , Gaye Chapman (illustrator), Gosford : Scholastic Press Scholastic Press , 2005 Z1197719 2005 single work picture book children's "When a flood leaves Sati the cat homeless, she wonders who will feed her. She is used to being pampered and cared for, but when she finally finds refuge, in a monastery, there are other animals to share with. Sati wants to be top-cat and thinks she can wait for food to come to her. But this creates havoc. It is only the wisdom and patience of an old monk which makes Sati see what it means to be one among many."
1 1 y separately published work icon Mr Noah and the Cats Vashti Farrer , South Melbourne : Lothian , 2004 Z1133644 2004 single work children's fiction children's
1 2 y separately published work icon Lulubelle and Her Bones Vashti Farrer , Sydney : Scholastic Press Scholastic Press , 2003 Z1053274 2003 single work children's fiction children's
1 y separately published work icon Letters Back Home : A Play Vashti Farrer , South Melbourne : Pearson Education , 2002 Z1022980 2002 single work drama children's
1 1 y separately published work icon Walers Go to War Vashti Farrer , Sue O'Loughlin (illustrator), Queensland : ANZAC Day Commemoration Committee Inc. (Qld) , 2001 Z959605 2001 single work picture book children's historical fiction

'A story about the Australian war horses, the Walers, who went with the Australian troopers to the Boer War in South Africa and with the Light Horsemen to the First World War. Delightful illustrations, many humorous, to help younger readers understand the role of horses in the Cavalry and Mounted Infantry.'

Source: Australian War Memorial.
1 3 y separately published work icon Plagues and Federation : The Diary of Kitty Barnes, the Rocks, Sydney, 1901 Vashti Farrer , Sydney : Scholastic Press Scholastic Press , 2000 Z950271 2000 single work children's fiction children's historical fiction

You’d hardly kno'w our street anymore… it looks like some place in Africa where there’s been fighting, not like Sydney. I know they had to pull down houses that you couldn’t live in no more and they’ll put up new ones instead only they’ll be different so The Rocks’ll really never look the same again, will it?

'The year 1900 was a momentous one for Kitty Barnes. Bubonic plague, the Black Death, was killing large numbers of people; the country was on the verge of becoming a federation; Kitty’s brother was in Africa fighting in the Boer War; and Kitty was finding herself somewhat attracted to Reggie, the boy down the road.' (Publication summary)
X