10 Facts About Colin Thiele

Colin Milton Thiele was an Australian author and educator.

The young Colin Thiele only spoke German until he went to school at Julia Creek.

Colin Thiele was educated at several country schools including the Eudunda Higher Primary School, and Kapunda High School before studying at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1941.

Colin Thiele became principal of Wattle Park Teachers College in 1965, principal of Murray Park CAE in 1973, and director of the Wattle Park Teachers Centre until his retirement in 1980.

Colin Thiele enlisted in the Australian Army in December 1940, and was posted to the 18th Light Horse as a private.

Colin Thiele transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force in July 1942, serving out the remainder of the war as a corporal posted to Air Defence Headquarters, Higgins Field, at the tip of the Cape York Peninsula.

Colin Thiele started teaching at Robertstown South Australia, before war service.

Colin Thiele suffered from severe arthritis from 1955 and in his later years left South Australia to settle in warmer conditions near Dayboro, Queensland.

On 4 September 2006, Colin Thiele died from heart failure in a Brisbane hospital, aged 85.

Colin Thiele was survived by his wife, Rhonda, two children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.