Tributes to Mungo MacCallum
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Vale Mungo Wentworth MacCallum 'ĕĈĕŔćĕſ ǩǨǽ ǨǰǫǨ ȑ 'ĕĈĕŔćĕſ ǰǽ ǩǧǩǧ Q ‘Mungo was a friend to The Echo
when as a fledgling publication it needed friends. In the beginning he let us republish columns he wrote for national papers, because we could never pay what a political journalist of his standing deserved and normally received. Later he worked out how to write an original column for The Echo’s tiny stipend by syndicating it later in the week to other outlets. But whether or not the work was properly remunerated was a matter of indifference to him, and for 31 years he elevated the newspaper’s standing simply by writing for it.’ David Lovejoy, co-founder of The Echo newspaper Q ‘Mungo was one of a kind and
he blazed a trail through Australia’s ranks of political journalists across 55 years with his mix of shrewd analysis and satire that was unique. He took great delight in calling out pomposity, bombast and hyprocisy for what it was and left pretenders with nowhere to hide. For all this he was also one of the most compassionate people I’ve ever met.’ Kerry O’Brien Q ‘Mungo – we will miss your
smile, your wit, your singing and your brilliant writing.’ Craig and Jane McGregor Q Dear Mungo,
Our Wednesday Echo will no longer be the same without your column, but we would really like to let you how much we in the Byron branch of the ALP have appreciated your brilliant, provocative and always entertaining contributions over the years. We have been very grateful not only for this, your political insight and experience – but also the moral fortitude, and calling out of hypocrisy that has been a light and encouragement to all true believers in these difficult times, whether members of a political party or not. We would like to send our very best wishes, and although we will miss you in The Echo, know that your family and many friends will continue to be the beneficiaries of your observations on life, sport, music and literature as well as politics. Byron Bay Branch ALP
Mungo – in the very early 1970s – to help me become one of his ‘Radical Poets’. No rival came within a bulls-roar of his precision, knowledge, and care for this country, beginning with the [old] Nation Review and onwards. I praise The Echo for having found him. I guess Mungo will continue speaking from yet ‘another world’. Stefanie Bennet Q In the near-decade that I was The Echo’s resident proofreader / copyeditor (a.k.a. grammar nazi), Mungo’s columns were rarely touched by my blue pencil – a claim few others can make. Reading his columns and proofing / solving his crosswords were among the many pleasures of my Echo incumbency. It goes without saying – but I shall say it – that Mungo will be sorely missed by many. Gordon Balfour Haynes
Q A Memory of Mungo: Q What an inspiration. A breath of
Q You were loyal! Loyal to the
cause, to the vision of Gough Whitlam, we all benefited. Your eternal legacy resonates ‘Take No Shite!’ Jo Faith Newton Q Indeed, Mungo had an ‘analyti-
cal mind’. It took Mungo to get me back into ‘the politics of prose writing’ in 2016, just as it took
Q I first encountered Mungo when I was a teen and I read my uncle’s Nation Reviews. On one of our many trips to the Northern Rivers I heard a report of his exit interview with the current Prime Minister of the time and really did LOL. On subsequent trips, now with our young children, we’d encounter Mungo at the Bruns, in Mullum, and Billinudgel. It became a standing joke that our trips would not be official until ‘the first Mungo of the season’ had been spotted. On one occasion I spoke with him at the bar and asked if he really did suggest to Bob Hawke that he needed a good rare steak and some horizontal folk dancing. He just laughed along with those waiting or serving at the bar. Our children are adults now, but we still have fond memories of our ‘Mungo spotting’ adventures. I’ll miss his good humour and his great writing. Neale Ferguson
fresh, insightful, knowledgeable, and humorous air Mungo has given us over the years. Keeping the bastards honest and always true to his convictions. When the statue to Nick Shand sitting on the park bench is replaced, I suggest he be chatting with Mungo by his side. Much aloha. Noah Yamore
18 The Byron Shire Echo 'ĕĈĕŔćĕſ Ǩǭǽ ǩǧǩǧ
In the late 1960s, I had a casual job as a subbie on the Australian/ Mirror. At 6pm, I had to collect my scripts for editing and somehow find a spot in the editorial room along with the proper journalists and other editors. There were a couple of long benches and a scatter of chairs and it was a bit of a scramble to secure a spot. Except, there was one lone desk against a wall with its own chair. I
was quietly told that this belonged to Mungo and was not to be touched! Rupert was in New York at the time. I think things may have changed on his return. John Davies Q I was fortunate enough to work with Mungo at The Echo, and even wrote his columns for a while when he was on holiday. I’ve always considered this a great honour and, now, even more so. In the world of words, he was a master. Vale Mungo, you can breathe easy now. PS: So glad you left a bank of crosswords. More shenanigans to remember you by. Jann Gilbert Q My absolute favourite Mungo quote came when he was describing the McMahon visit to Washington where Sonia wore THAT dress. They were accompanied by Nugget Coombs and he referred to Sonia as ‘looking like Snow White, down to her last two dwarfs’. What a super writer he was. Judy Mellowes Q I am writing on Human Rights Day to pay tribute to one of our most brilliant journalists, a man who cared deeply about people and their right to a decent life, as evidenced in his writing. It is, of course, Mungo MacCallum, known simply as Mungo. He and Jenny engaged with the local
community, the nation, and the world from their Ocean Shores home. A home that was the haven for their family. Mungo sadly left them last night after putting down his pen just a few days back. It is to the family that I say thank you. Thank you for sharing so much of your husband and dad with us. The brilliant mind, the incisive intellect, the laser-like way he could cut through political humbug. The deep laughter that lit up his face. I mourn the absence of Mungo’s column already. A column I hoped I never featured in on the wrong side. The most poignant words I had said about me were in a video recording Mungo did for The Byron Echo. It still touches me to my core. I feel very privileged as Mungo judged politicians with brutal candour. At the Twin Towns Services Club in Tweed Heads, Mungo asked me – the emcee – why the attendance of the national press for a backbencher lunch? The backbencher being Paul Keating, in between being treasurer and prime minister. At a barbecue fundraiser for one of my campaigns, Mungo entertained us with stories of his time in Canberra. He entertained us even more upon departure, backing over the barbecue plate. Jenny drove home. Melbourne Cup Day at the Ballina RSL during the 2007 Federal Election campaign with Kevin Rudd, myself and team, when Kevin backed the winner. Mungo’s parting words were sweet. Thank you, good night, after he fired an Aussie salvo at our current prime minister. Jenelle Saffin MP Lismore
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