Hazel Edwards: storyteller, mentor and champion of family histories

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Hazel Edwards, well-known author, writing mentor, and proud member of U3AM. You probably know her best for the classic children’s book, There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake, which has been delighting children (and parents!) for 45 years. But Hazel’s writing goes well beyond children’s stories. She has more than 220 books to her name. Ranging from adult and young adult fiction and non-fiction to educational resources and self-help, she’s made an enormous impact on Australian literature. In 2013, she was awarded an OAM for her services to writing.

Hazel’s motivation is simple: ‘So I don’t get bored!’. She admits she’s a workaholic, but it’s clear her curiosity and love of research are what fuel her work. She shared insights into her work as a writing mentor, which led to her popular book, Writing a Non-Boring Family History.

Helping people tell their stories

One of Hazel’s biggest passions is encouraging people to record their family histories. Through her workshops and mentoring sessions, she helps writers capture their experiences for future generations. Her published, mature-aged mentees are affectionately known as ‘Hazelnuts’, and include our very own U3AM President, Shirley Fung. Hazel insists that being part of a supportive group is far more effective than doing it alone.

Hazel sees real value in U3A members writing their own stories: ‘It can be a time of reflection, and it might be that families have broken up or they’ve lost someone or have something that they’re struggling with. Sometimes they’ve taken themselves to a different time they want to write about, or they’ve got some passion or other.’ Of course, it’s not always easy, especially when writing about difficult parts of a family history. Hazel’s advice is simple: ‘Start with what you can write. What do you know? Who do you know? How do you know them?’  These questions often became a way in.

Why participant observation matters

For Hazel, participant observation is key to writing that feels authentic. It’s about immersing yourself in an environment, noticing details, and participating in activities. She said: ‘Generally, if it’s a setting I don’t know, I would go there, but sometimes I’d do it around the other way.’ Her most interesting example? Being an Antarctic expeditioner, which gave a sense of credibility and depth to her books set there.

When it comes to family history, participant observation might mean reading old diaries, looking through letters, or visiting places where relatives lived. Hazel points out that many family histories start off a bit dull because people just write a string of facts in chronological order. Adding stories, observations and personal touches is what brings them to life.

Wrapping up

Hazel Edwards has built an extraordinary career spanning decades, filled with books, workshops, and a strong commitment to helping others share their stories. Through her mentoring and writing, she continues to show people how to turn personal and family histories into something engaging and meaningful.

And finally, Hazel’s thoughts on U3A itself: ‘The idea of a university of the third age, philosophically, is fabulous. People can learn what they want to learn, and tutors volunteer, and you don’t do that unless you’re enthusiastic about it.’

You can read more about Hazel, including the Hazelnuts Doco, on her website: http://hazeledwards.com

Judy Maxwell

Editorial Team