Almanac Life: Bazza and the lamingtons

 

 

 

 

 

With the death of Barry Humphries a few days ago, the world, and in particular Australia, has lost one of the great cultural icons we have been fortunate to know and appreciate.

 

The accolades, so rightly accorded, have been plentiful, and reflect the love and respect Barry Humphries in all his personas was held by fans wide and far.

 

In a roundabout way, I was fortunate to have a close encounter with Barry Humphries and I’d like to share it with you –  and it also involves lamingtons!

 

In the early `80s I lived in the seaside resort of Lorne with my family. My son attended the local kindergarten in the town, and like most kinders and schools there is always a shortage of funds to implement all the necessary and important programs for the students. Fundraiser activities therefore were essential if these necessary funds were to be provided.

 

It was Easter I believe, and as I remember it was a cool early morning with some lingering sea mist. I was manning one of the fundraising stalls outside the premises where the renowned Chris’s Restaurant once conducted their business. The stall was basically a homemade cake stall with a wide variety of sponges, scones, biscuits etc, and of course lamingtons, all available  for purchase to aid the local kinder.

 

Deep in thought, my mind not really on the task at hand, I was brought back to reality when a familiar sounding voice resonated with me and asked to purchase a plate of lamingtons. Looking up I was completely gobsmacked to realise my lamington buyer was in fact the one and only Barry Humphries. I looked at him, he looked at me. A fedora sat at a rakish angle on his head, a length of hair partly covered one side of his face, and a colourful scarf hung loosely around his neck. With a flick of his head, his hair swung away from his face, his eyes firmly locked  onto mine, he winked and smiled generously as he handed over a $20 note for the $3 lamingtons – “for the kindergarten” he said as he gathered up his purchase and walked off leaving his change on the trestle.

 

At that time of morning very few people were around to witness and appreciate what had just happened, all I got was an “oh, yeah pull the other one!” when I later related my experience with my fellow volunteers and friends.

 

But Barry knows, and I know.

 

Thanks Barry. Well played!

 

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read Here

 

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