Congratulations George!

GEORGE HADDON'S DEMONSTRATION,
Saturday 22nd October 2011

What a marvellous demo George Haddon's was! Not only because of what George said, showed and did, but for the input of others too, notably Alan Close and his class, Jean, Christine, Dot, Col and Ann to name a few.

George brought along a whole portfolio of records of his involvement in art over a lifetime. He was able to use them to tell us amusingly about the 'serendipitous' moves from stage to stage in his career, from building school to art class, to McEwans, to 'The Herald', to overseas travel illustrator, to comic cartooning, to political cartoonist, to centre page illustrator in the RACV magazine. About his friendships with other cartoonists such as WEG, Tandburg, Ronald Searle, Stan Cross and others and how they were influences in his development. And now he is a pillar of the Watercolour Society, still refining his considerable skills as a watercolourist. Like Walter Magilton and other artists he believes and hopes that his best work is going to be the next one.

It was unfortunate that we could not make connection of his PowerPoint presentation on a memory stick with our AV screen.
However nothing was lost as he had the originals there to prompt his talk, and they came up large and clear via our camera.
He is a delightful man who held the attention of the large crowd with his lovely personality and informative anecdotes. He gave unstintingly of himself all afternoon sending most of the audience home with a personally autographed copy of his great book of RACV centrefolds.

But what a surprise Alan had in store for him. An illuminated
certificate as 'Cartoonist of the Decade', a handmade sash with a similar motto, a golden 'Oscar' statuette and a sendup of the  television ad of Jason the insurance salesman, a cutout lifesize Vespa. George was gobsmacked. We were delighted to be able to give him something in return.

Behind the scenes there were some dramas. Dot worked her butt off to get the afternoon tea together and Ann, in agony with her back, came to the party heroically. Tony is having traumas with his Dad in Williamstown but still traveled across to help out. Col had a frustrating morning trying to get the AV to play George's PowerPoint presentation. And the weather was shocking before the event so we feared that no-one would turn up. But as it turned out the weather cleared, the hall was full, afternoon tea was excellent and George was wonderful.

Colin Browne, WAA Secretary

Certificate and an OSCAR!

WAA recognises George Haddon as
‘RACV Cartoonist of the Decade’!

As part of the WAA recognition George
received a certificate, a trophy, a beautifully
hand made sash (similar to Jason on the
RACV insurance TV advert.) and a Vespa
motor scooter!
“In recognition of a decade of wonderful cartoons”

 
Guess who by George

George gets to go home with his Vespa and beautifully made sash. (A special thank you to Betty Wiseman for making the sash, it looked superb and George was so pleased)

The RACV ‘Cartoonist of the Decade’
leaves the building.
Well done George!