[6] In 1938 she was one of ten writers to share the short story prize in the 150th literary competitions, Katharine Susannah Prichard and Hal Porter being among the others.

", when reviewing it for The Sydney Morning Herald in 1945, referred to her as "a talented and leading writer of short stories" and continued: "The people and the setting are vivid and real, and the novel exemplifies the truth that the best material for art comes from the ordinary things of everyday life.

Similarly accurate, detailed descriptions of Sydney, the lower Blue Mountains and other regions Trist observed appear in her other works, which form a rare record of social history and everyday dialogue.

They made their home on the lower North Shore, aside from a few years in the artistic community of the Blue Mountains, and raised a son and daughter.

[2] Both Frank and Margaret were instrumental in the establishment of PEN and Sydney University’s English Association, devoting much of their personal time to supporting other artists professionally and nurturing the development of a thriving arts community in Australia.