A former political journalist, Wendy is the author of six books for adults – NAGGING FOR BEGINNERS, a how-to guide for women, IT’S A JOKE, JOYCE, a book on Australian Women’s humour, LOVE GONE WRONG, a humorous look at failed relationships, SO ANYWAY, a collection of her weekly columns from The Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Weekend Magazine and in 2005, FAREWELL MY OVARIES, her bestselling first novel for adults which was followed in 2006 with LOVE AND PUNISHMENT. Wendy also contributed to Marie Claire’s WHAT WOMEN WANT in 2002 and a volume of THE BEST EVER SPORTS WRITING …200 YEARS OF SPORT WRITING. Wendy has written two plays: BACKSTAGE PASS and WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH MARY JANE? which has been enormously successful in promoting a wider understanding of the problems associated with anorexia among children, parents and the community at large and has toured all over Australia. Wendy also wrote the libretto for Baz Luhrmann’s Opera Australia production of LAKE LOST. Wendy’s childrens book series about Pearlie the park fairy has been a huge success since the first title PEARLIE IN THE PARK was published in 2003 by Random House. The subsequent books in the series; PEARLIE AND THE LOST HANDBAG, PEARLIE AND OPAL, PEARLIE AND THE LOST DOLL, PEARLIE AND JASPER, PEARLIE AND THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL and PEARLIE AND SAPPHIRE have outsold all previous Random House books for children in their age group becoming instant best-sellers. A stage show adapted by Wendy played at the Seymour Centre in Sydney and toured regional NSW in 2005 and then nationally in 2007. The animation television rights to PEARLIE have been optioned by Sticky Pictures for co-production with Canadian broadcaster, Nelvana. The fifty-two part series is expected to go into production in 2007. Wendy will assist in developing the series with Sticky Pictures and will act as Creative Producer.
Wendy was the host of the ABC TV series THE BIG GIG, co-starred in the critically acclaimed WORLD SERIES DEBATES with Andrew Denton in 1993/94 for ABC TV and in 1990 she had her own TV chat show, IN HARMER’S WAY. Wendy hosted the Logie Awards in 2002.
Wendy began her career in radio on the ABC’s Radio National with her own drive time programme. In 1993 she joined Sydney radio station 2 Day FM to lead the Breakfast Show team. During the 11 years she hosted this program it was rated number one in 84 out of 88 surveys. The news of her departure brought 3000 emails from disappointed listeners. She has written for numerous Australian magazines and has been a contributing columnist for THE AUSTRALIAN WOMENS WEEKLY, NEW WEEKLY, THE AUSTRALIAN WEEKEND MAGAZINE and HQ.
After leaving 2 Day FM Wendy took a well earned break for a year but found time to complete her first novel, FAREWELL MY OVARIES. In 2005 Wendy was the subject of the first ABC AUSTRALIAN STORY episode winning its time slot in three states including NSW. Since then, Wendy has focused on writing novels and various articles. During January 2007 Wendy made numerous appearances on Channel 7’s Sunrise programme.
Wendy is married to Brendan, a committed environmentalist, surfer and house-husband and has two children aged 6 and 8. She still finds time to be involved with the Manly Football club and takes her regular turn at the school tuck shop.
