Former Age cartoonist and Williamstown resident John Spooner is appearing at his first Williamstown Literary Festival to talk about his book, What the Hell was he Thinking? John Spooner’s Guide to the 21st Century.He speaks with Goya Dmytryshchak.
What’s your connection to Hobsons Bay?
I’ve lived here for over 10 years. I come, originally, from Black Rock and the children and the whole family used to ride our bikes to Williamstown for outings so we knew the Nelson Place cafe area and that was the in-point. When I came to move to Williamstown I discovered the other side, this beautiful side with the botanical gardens, the parks and the beach.
That leads to my next question – what do you like about Williamstown?
Williamstown is, dare I say it, one of the best-kept secrets in Melbourne. It’s a beautiful small town 10 minutes from the city. It doesn’t have any through traffic. It’s a precarious little secret because we don’t want too many people to know about Williamstown because we love it in its present state. The people are lovely. I call it a haven, and I think it is a sort of haven. When you think it’s only 10 minutes from the CBD, it’s astonishing compared with other places around the bay.
What would you change about Williamstown?
Nothing at all, it suits me just fine. Actually, I would love there to be an art gallery.
Can you tell me a little bit about your latest book?
The book is 25,000 words, about 280 images and it is, in part, a polemic about journalism and politics, but it extends to art – not only the art of cartooning, but also printmaking, etching, painting, that sort of thing. So, it’s sort of a potpourri of controversy and contemplation, I suppose.
In your book you discuss your thoughts on many things including politicians. What are your thoughts on Donald Trump?
Complicated. Trump will be judged on the outcomes of his policies, not by his personal vulgarity.
What’s your favourite local cafe or eatery?
The Pickle Barrel. One of my favourite set of shops is The Circle group in Altona North – we are total converts to The Circle; there’s a good halal butchers there, which is terrific. My other favourite here is Wok Rite In. And there’s a great fish and chip shop right at the end of Ferguson Street, on the water … Top of the Bay. You get your fish and chips and you go to the carpark opposite and you look out on this glorious little boating harbour, with all those moored yachts and across to Melbourne, and that is heaven. If you have a beer and some fish and chips I don’t think it can get any better than that.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m still playing cricket and I’m 71.
John Spooner and Mark Knight – Cartoonists in Conversation is one of 60 events being held as part of this month’s Williamstown Literary Festival. Visit: www.willylitfest.org.au
