Robert Favretto's journey from strawberry picker to storyteller showcases a life rich in diverse experiences. After earning his teaching qualifications in the 1980s, he spent decades educating students across Victoria, including valuable time in special education. A lifelong sports enthusiast who now wisely appreciates elevators over stairs, Robert channeled his classroom experiences into children's writing in 1998 – and though he stepped back from full-time teaching in 2017, he continues as a relief teacher to keep his stories authentic, captivating audiences at schools, libraries, and festivals with his trademark lively presentations.