Bloody Clever Australians in Brookvale, New South Wales, Australia | Arts and entertainment

Bloody Clever Australians

Locality: Brookvale, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 412 541 788

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24.01.2022 Sir Edward Weary Dunlop KBE 1907 1993 Bloody Legend Veteran of the Second World War, Edward Dunlop became well-known for his medical work with Australian prisoners of the Japanese and subsequent welfare work after the war. He was born on 12 July 1907 at Major's Plain, Victoria. At 17 he became an apprentice pharmacist before moving to Melbourne to study at the Pharmacy College. In 1930 he was awarded a scholarship to study medicine at Melbourne University. There he ...picked up the nickname, 'Weary' probably because he always looked buggered. That affectionate name remained with him for the rest of his life. In 1934 he graduated with first class honours. From his previous part-time army service, Dunlop re-joined the military in 1935 as a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps. In 1937 he graduated from Melbourne University as a Master of Surgery before attending St. Bartholomew's Medical School in England where he was admitted to the Royal College of Surgeons in 1938. In 1939 Dunlop enlisted in the AIF for service overseas. Dunlop served in the Greek and Crete Campaigns with the 2/2nd Casualty Clearing Station, and was later senior surgeon in Tobruk. When the war in the Pacific began, his unit was transferred to Java. He was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel in February 1942 and given command of No. 1 Allied General Hospital at Bandung. When the island fell to the Japanese Dunlop became a prisoner of war. For the rest of the war Dunlop worked as a medical officer on the Burma Thailand railway. He became famous for his relentless care of his men. They looked up to him as a saviour, placing himself at risk of death to ease their suffering and the legend of Weary began. Sir Weary Dunlop was a bloody clever surgeon and ingenious in the solutions he developed to protect his men.

23.01.2022 Cathy Freeman - Queen of Australia. When Australians think of our Olympic champions, the name Cathy is always mentioned, and we all know there is only one Cathy; Cathy Freeman. We all remember the joy of running flat out with the wind in our hair, but Cathy made that joy her purpose and to help Indigenous people be recognised as equals. Cathy was born in Mackay Queensland in 1973 and due to her father’s alcoholism grew up in an unstable and uncertain environment. Her natural ...athletic ability helped overcome her shyness and low self-esteem. Cathy’s Primary school teacher Mrs Bauldry nurtured Cathy’s talent and bought her running spikes to compete at State Primary events in long jump, high jump and running. She was one of the many influencers who helped guide Cathy’s future. Her Step Father helped her Mother Cecilia to secure a scholarship at Fairholme College Toowoomba. Her coach, Mr Sessargo, mentored Cathy, helped her to fit in with the self-confident white kids and feel ‘good enough’. At the age of 14, Cathy told the high school vocational guidance officer that her only career aspiration was to win an Olympic medal. Cathy already held national titles in high jump, the 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metre sprints. Cathy went on to win gold in the 1990 and 1994 Commonwealth Games, silver at Seoul Olympics in 1996 and with the pressure of all of Australia on her shoulders, won Olympic Gold in the 400 meters at the Sydney 2000 Games. Cathy Freeman OAM Young Australian and 1997 Australian Of the Year inspires us all. Cathy’s humility and inner beauty captured our hearts and raised our nations respect for Aboriginal people, which remains her mission today. Cathy is the Queen of all Australians. See more

20.01.2022 CYRIL CALLISTER (1893- 1949) ANOTHER BLOODY CLEVER AUSTRALIAN Inventor of Vegemite and processed cheese. Born in 1893 at Chute, west of Ballarat, Cyril Callister grew up displaying an interest in science and won a scholarship to further his studies at the University of Melbourne. Callister obtained his B.Sc. in 1914, M.Sc. in 1917 and PHD. SC. in 1931. That was a big commitment in those days. Cyril must have known that chemistry was what made him tick.... From the early 1920s, imports of the British yeast extract Marmite were disrupted by World War I. Melbourne food entrepreneur Fred Walker hired Cyril as a laboratory assistant to develop a yeast extract spread to compete. In 1925 Cyril sent samples of his product to London to be tested for Vitamin B, a far-sighted move in the very early days of vitamin knowledge. Tests confirmed his recipe was a rich source of Vitamin B. In 1927 he appointed a bacteriologist to his staff, possibly the first such appointment in Australia. Processed cheese was Cyril’s bloody clever idea which Walker Patented. He also invented caned cheese so that it preserved longer. Three years later Australians were still reluctant to buy Vegemite. But Cyril, now a director of Fred Walker & Co, ensured it was still produced. Walker secured a licence with US giant Kraft to produce processed cheese, which diverted the financial pressure off Vegemite. With Cyril’s persistence, Vegemite became a success. In 1938, medical confirmation of Vegemite's rich B1 vitamin content was recognised and prompted aggressive health-related advertising. Vegemite was added to World War II soldiers' ration packs and became a patriotic symbol. Thanks to Cyril Callister’s cleverness millions of Australians enjoy vegemite every day and internationally we are identified by this unique Aussie product.

19.01.2022 Paul Hogan AM - Bloody Clever Hoge’s is the quintessential Australian. He reflects how we see ourselves. He is a larrikin, cheeky, fantastic sense of humour, charismatic, gutsy and someone you would have in your corner if the chips were down. From humble beginnings as a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Hoge’s was discovered while trying out for a quiz and went on to become an international film star. With the help of his genius business partner John ‘Strop’ Cornell, Hogs ...put Australia on the international tourist destination map with his ‘shrimp on the barbie’ TV commercials and got the Poms drinking cold Fosters beer as opposed to the room temp brew they were used to. He won a Golden Globe award for best actor in a comedy motion picture for Crocodile Dundee, which he wrote and starred in, and was also nominated for an Academy Award. He was appointed Australian of the Year In 1985. In 1986 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to tourism and entertainment. Hoge’s is a much-loved Australian the world over and although he portrays Australians as ‘ocker’ the world knows that we are a sophisticated bunch that can laugh at ourselves and are a friendly lot at heart. Paul Hogan is less known for his significant charity to children’s foundations such as the Variety Club Australia and typically keeps these good deeds under his hat. Hoge’s is a fantastic example as to what can be achieved if you are prepared to have a go and have the intestinal fortitude to rise to the challenge. Good on you Hoge’s, thanks for helping the world understand who we are. You are a Bloody Clever Australian. See more

17.01.2022 Kay Cottee AO - Australia’s First Lady of the sea. Kay Cottee became the first woman to sail solo, non-stop unassisted around the world. Kay was introduced to sailing as a baby, strapped in her crib to the mast of her fathers’ boat. She became a passionate sailor, and at age 33 made her dream come true. Between November 29 1987 and June 5 1988, Kay sailed more than 22,000 nautical miles. She faced roaring winds, seas 100 feet high, ice bergs, broken gear, extreme exhaustion ...and sleep deprivation. Kay was alone at sea for 189 days in her yacht Blackmores First Lady, a 37ft Cavalier designed by Laurie Davidson and built by Kay. Can you image those last goodbyes, enduring the terror of fighting against being washed overboard or capsized by monstrous waves? Facing each new day by counting down the number of miles, hoping mother nature remained kind and praying for the continued protection of your guardian angel. Her prayers were answered and Kay made it home safely to a huge welcome. Kays cleverness went well beyond her sailing, navigation and boat building skills. After returning home in 1988 and becoming Bicentennial Australian Of the Year, Kay’s achievements continued. She wrote a record-breaking bestselling book and 10 years later produced an international award-winning film of her voyage. Kay is a mother, an accomplished artist, author and an internationally renowned motivational speaker. Kay also served on the Board of the Australian Maritime Museum for 11 years, 6 of these as Chairwoman. Kay has dedicated herself to raising money for the drug and alcohol prevention charity, Life Education. By the end of 1991 she had raised more than $1 million. Kay has taken her inspirational message to more than 40,000 school children and undoubtedly set young imaginations ablaze with unlimited possibilities. See more

16.01.2022 Sir Jack Brabham KBE OBE AO 1926-2014 A KNIGHTS TALE Sir Jack Brabham was a three-time Formula One World Champion Driver and two-time Formula One World Champion Constructor, becoming the first driver to win the title in a car of his own design and construction. ‘Black Jack’ Brabham had all the pre-requisites of the racing star; quick judgment, lightning reflexes and a master tactician. He was past 30 when he started to race Formula One cars, and at 34 in 1959 won the ...World Championship. John Arthur Brabham was born on April 2 1926 at Hurstville near Sydney. Jack’s father a keen motorist taught his son to drive at the age of 12. At 15 Jack left school and got a job in a local garage, spending his evenings studying engineering at Hurstville Technical College. After serving in the Royal Australian Airforce as an engineer Brabham opened a small motor repair shop. He started his motor racing career on dirt tracks winning races at Speedways. In 1947 he won the NSW Speedway championship. He turned to road racing in 1952 and in 1955 made his Formula One debut at the British Grand Prix driving a Cooper that he had built himself. In 1959 Jack won the drivers’ World Championship with 34 points, the last of which gained by pushing his car (after it ran out of fuel) 500 yards to cross in fourth place. This was the first championship success for a rear-engined Formula One car. For the 1966 Formula One season Brabham raced his new Brabham-Repco BT19, with an engine developed by Repco, winning the drivers’ championship with 45 points. He also won the constructors’ title. His proudest moment came in 1989 when his three sons Geoff, Gary and David, having successful motor racing careers each won championship titles in different categories.

12.01.2022 Sir Edward Weary Dunlop KBE 1907 1993 Bloody Legend Veteran of the Second World War, Edward Dunlop became well-known for his medical work with Australian prisoners of the Japanese and subsequent welfare work after the war. He was born on 12 July 1907 at Major's Plain, Victoria. At 17 he became an apprentice pharmacist before moving to Melbourne to study at the Pharmacy College. In 1930 he was awarded a scholarship to study medicine at Melbourne University. There he ...picked up the nickname, 'Weary' probably because he always looked buggered. That affectionate name remained with him for the rest of his life. In 1934 he graduated with first class honours. From his previous part-time army service, Dunlop re-joined the military in 1935 as a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps. In 1937 he graduated from Melbourne University as a Master of Surgery before attending St. Bartholomew's Medical School in England where he was admitted to the Royal College of Surgeons in 1938. In 1939 Dunlop enlisted in the AIF for service overseas. Dunlop served in the Greek and Crete Campaigns with the 2/2nd Casualty Clearing Station, and was later senior surgeon in Tobruk. When the war in the Pacific began, his unit was transferred to Java. He was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel in February 1942 and given command of No. 1 Allied General Hospital at Bandung. When the island fell to the Japanese Dunlop became a prisoner of war. For the rest of the war Dunlop worked as a medical officer on the Burma Thailand railway. He became famous for his relentless care of his men. They looked up to him as a saviour, placing himself at risk of death to ease their suffering and the legend of Weary began. Sir Weary Dunlop was a bloody clever surgeon and ingenious in the solutions he developed to protect his men.

10.01.2022 Sir Jack Brabham KBE OBE AO 1926-2014 A KNIGHTS TALE Sir Jack Brabham was a three-time Formula One World Champion Driver and two-time Formula One World Champion Constructor, becoming the first driver to win the title in a car of his own design and construction. ‘Black Jack’ Brabham had all the pre-requisites of the racing star; quick judgment, lightning reflexes and a master tactician. He was past 30 when he started to race Formula One cars, and at 34 in 1959 won the ...World Championship. John Arthur Brabham was born on April 2 1926 at Hurstville near Sydney. Jack’s father a keen motorist taught his son to drive at the age of 12. At 15 Jack left school and got a job in a local garage, spending his evenings studying engineering at Hurstville Technical College. After serving in the Royal Australian Airforce as an engineer Brabham opened a small motor repair shop. He started his motor racing career on dirt tracks winning races at Speedways. In 1947 he won the NSW Speedway championship. He turned to road racing in 1952 and in 1955 made his Formula One debut at the British Grand Prix driving a Cooper that he had built himself. In 1959 Jack won the drivers’ World Championship with 34 points, the last of which gained by pushing his car (after it ran out of fuel) 500 yards to cross in fourth place. This was the first championship success for a rear-engined Formula One car. For the 1966 Formula One season Brabham raced his new Brabham-Repco BT19, with an engine developed by Repco, winning the drivers’ championship with 45 points. He also won the constructors’ title. His proudest moment came in 1989 when his three sons Geoff, Gary and David, having successful motor racing careers each won championship titles in different categories.

10.01.2022 Johnny O’Keefe - The Wild One 1935-1978 John Michael O’Keefe was born on 19 January 1935 in Sydney, New South Wales. Johnny attended Christian Brothers' College Waverley. During his journey he became an Australian music industry legend and in 1988 his name was included in the Australian Record Industry Association's Hall of Fame. Johnny’s music career began at school singing in the choir. He also learned to play piano. In September 1956, together with Dave Owens formed the '...Dee Jays' (Dave, Johnny). Their band became regular performers on the pub dance circuit in Sydney. O’Keefe and the ‘Dee Jays’ were signed by Festival Records and in July 1957 ' released You Hit the Wrong Note Billy Goat, written by Bill Haley. Five months later O'Keefe released Wild One which he co-wrote. The song was an immediate hit and made him the first Australian rock'n'roller to reach the national charts. Shout followed in 1959 and She's My Baby in 1960. Despite his image as 'The Wild One', he promoted rock'n'roll as wholesome entertainment, claiming that it was one of 'the greatest barriers to delinquency'. He aspired to be an all-round entertainer; two of his biggest hits were ballads, I'm Counting on You (1961) and She Wears My Ring (1964). Johnny was a pioneer, producing and starring in early TV shows including ABC’s Six O’clock Rock and ATN 7 Sing Sing Sing. Johnny’s song Mockingbird, recorded with Margaret McLaren, became a national hit in 1974. Generous by nature Johnny helped raise funds for the Spastic Centre of New South Wales and other charities. He entertained Australian troops in Vietnam in 1969 and performed at a free concert in cyclone-devastated Darwin in 1975. Johnny died in 1978 of a drug overdose related to his bouts of depression. Passion often conflicts the heart with the mind. See more

07.01.2022 Fred Hollows - Kiwi turned Aussie helped us to see In 1990, the title of Australian of the Year was awarded to Fred Hollows in recognition of his work treating avoidable blindness in some of the world’s poorest communities. Fred Hollows was born in New Zealand in 1929. After completing his studies and specialising as an ophthalmologist (eye doctor), Fred moved to Australia and eventually became an Australian citizen. Within five years he was head of the Eye Department at a le...ading Sydney hospital. While working in Sydney, Fred became aware of some of the serious health issues facing aboriginal people particularly trachoma and other avoidable eye diseases. The fact that these diseases could be easily avoided, went untreated and resulted in blindness, shocked Fred and so began his life’s work. Fred set about establishing the first Aboriginal Medical Service. From 1976 to 1978, his teams screened 100,000 people. Curable blindness among Indigenous communities was halved. By 2005 there were over 60 health services treating Aboriginal communities throughout Australia. The Fred Hollows Foundation was established in 1992 with his wife Gabi. When Fred died in 1993 he was honoured with a State Funeral. Gabi continued on and was awarded an Order of Australia for her humanitarian work. Gabi is regarded by her peers as a living national treasure. Fred lived his life in the service of others. Apart from his surgical skills proving his cleverness, he also set about organising intraocular lens manufacturing factories in Nepal and Eritrea. This significantly reduced the cost and empowered communities. Estimates are that Fred’s legacy helped more than 2 million people to see. When someone's sight is restored, it gives people the chance for a better life. They're able to work, go to school and provide for their families. Fred Hollows

07.01.2022 Bernard Midget Farrelly 1944 2016 FIRST MAN Midget Farrelly was the ‘first man’ to win the first official surfing world championship at Sydney's Manly Beach in 1964, and dominated the sport throughout the decade. Midget was a ‘water baby’, craftsman, leader and visionary. He grew up and lived in paradise on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. At age 14 he made his first long board and was nicknamed Midget due to his slight build. Age 17 Midget worked alongside Joe Larkin, Bo...b Pike and Barry Bennett at the home of surfing design and manufacturing in Brookvale, NSW. By age 18 Dave Jackman, Mickey Mc Mahon, Denny Keough and Gordon Woods figured in Midget’s industry education and influence. In 1965 Midget took all the wood out of his boards, relying on the thickness of glass for strength. His first 'stringerless' prototype was successful in winning the 1965 Australian Championships at Manly. Midget's very light board pulled tight turns packing more performance into the small waves. In 1967 Midget introduced a V bottom design. It was only 8 feet long by 22 inches wide and heavily veed through the tail half. The board was specifically designed to ride waves less than head high. A new era of manoeuvrability in surfing dawned. Midget’s love affair with the sea included crafting windsurfers and hang gliders. He was heavily involved in life saving and coached female boat crews to win Australian championships. His achievements included: - Being the first Australian to win a surfing title in the 1963 Hawaiian championships - Winning the 1965 Australian surfing title - Sixth place at the 1966 world championship - Winning the 1966 Peruvian International Small Waves competition - Winning the 1968 Bobby Brown memorial - Second place at the 1968 world championship. Midget was a statesman of the surf industry and a gentleman.

06.01.2022 Paul Hogan AM - Bloody Clever Hoge’s is the quintessential Australian. He reflects how we see ourselves. He is a larrikin, cheeky, fantastic sense of humour, charismatic, gutsy and someone you would have in your corner if the chips were down. From humble beginnings as a rigger on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Hoge’s was discovered while trying out for a quiz and went on to become an international film star. With the help of his genius business partner John ‘Strop’ Cornell, Hogs ...put Australia on the international tourist destination map with his ‘shrimp on the barbie’ TV commercials and got the Poms drinking cold Fosters beer as opposed to the room temp brew they were used to. He won a Golden Globe award for best actor in a comedy motion picture for Crocodile Dundee, which he wrote and starred in, and was also nominated for an Academy Award. He was appointed Australian of the Year In 1985. In 1986 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to tourism and entertainment. Hoge’s is a much-loved Australian the world over and although he portrays Australians as ‘ocker’ the world knows that we are a sophisticated bunch that can laugh at ourselves and are a friendly lot at heart. Paul Hogan is less known for his significant charity to children’s foundations such as the Variety Club Australia and typically keeps these good deeds under his hat. Hoge’s is a fantastic example as to what can be achieved if you are prepared to have a go and have the intestinal fortitude to rise to the challenge. Good on you Hoge’s, thanks for helping the world understand who we are. You are a Bloody Clever Australian. See more

05.01.2022 Pat Sullivan - creator of Felix the Cat 1887 - 1933 Pat Sullivan was an Australian cartoonist, animator and film producer best known for being co-creator of the character Felix the Cat. Felix was created before Mickey Mouse and in the 1920’s was the most famous animated cartoon series in the world. Patrick Sullivan was born in Paddington, New South Wales in 1887. Like most Australians leaving school then and now, he had no idea of his future. He tried his hand at odd jobs as ...well as singing, dancing and while attending art classes began to submit cartoon strips to publishers. He emigrated to England in search of his dream and ultimately found his way to the USA. At age 23 his creative career began, drawing movie posters. He then worked for the Maclure Syndicate as a cartoon assistant on the strip Little Black Sambo, based on the popular children’s book. After several years contributing to a range of comic strip characters syndicated to newspapers, Pat founded his own cartoon studio and employed other artists. His cartoons stood out for their comedy and clever story lines. Felix the Cat was introduced by the Pat Sullivan Studios in November 1919 and became an international commercial hit. Felix was the first cartoon character to be globally merchandised making him as recognisable as any Hollywood star. He paved the way for all cartoon stars who followed, most notably Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse. A Felix the Cat newspaper strip syndicated through King Features ran from 1923 to 1967 and Otto Messmer, Sullivan’s co-creator, is acknowledged for his development of the Felix character. Unfortunately, success can have its down side and Pat’s heavy drinking and untimely death of his wife furthered his alcoholism and resulted in his death 1 year later in 1933 aged 46. See more