Norman McVicker writes:
(A Brief Autobiography) (For detailed biography, A story about Norman McVicker WT1187)
I had a life before retiring to Mudgee.
After leaving school I worked in broadcasting by writing scripts about Australian history and episodes of radio serials for the 2UW Children’s Session and as a freelance writer. My first radio play was broadcast on the 19th of January 1937 from 2SM. Even before that whilst in 6th class I wrote my first stage play and later a version of Cinderella for a Younger Set of which I was an active member.
From the 8th December 1940 until 9th April 1946 I was a member of the Australian Army Service Corps. Whilst waiting discharge I completed a course in journalism through the Army Education Service. My tutor was Alan Marshall, author of I can Jump Puddles.
In 1947 I founded St Peters Community Players that evolved into the Pocket Playhouse, a unique Little Theatre. The theatre operated, without subsidy, until 1973 when it closed after eighty nine seasons. During this time the Pocket Children’s Theatre emerged playing matinees on Saturdays and a professional production of Spoon River for the NSW Arts Council toured 28 country towns. I had written and directed four full length stage plays.
During these years I became a Council Member of the British Drama League of Australia and in 1966-71 a member of the Australian UNESCO Committee for Drama and Art having been appointed by Prime Minister, Harold Holt.
Between 1949 and 1980 I was staff member of British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines later integrated with QANTAS.
On retirement in 1980 Mudgee became my base when I purchased a property, built a house at Budgee Budgee and grew herbs. I was a foundation member of Mudgee Arts Council and assisted with musical productions at St Matthew’s School and Mudgee High School.
Life was not boring. In 1983 I commenced writing for the Mudgee Guardian and whilst lobbying for the restoration of Eurunderee School at the suggestion of the late Mrs Poss Macgregor (wife of the then owner) commenced writing the Tales from along the Wallaby Track column. On November 10, 2008 the 1000th column was published and they continue. I have also written book reviews and special articles and to do this as part of my community work.
In the years that followed I launched books by other writers and judged writing competitions and in 1990 was awarded the Mudgee Shire Australia Day Arts Award and since then further nominations for Australia Day Awards.
In 2003 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List I was recipient of the Order of Australia Medal for ‘Service to the performing arts, particularly theatre, and to the community of Mudgee‘. This was followed by Life Membership of Mudgee Arts Council for services to the arts in Mudgee.
In 2007 I received The Premier of New South Wales Service Award for outstanding services to the community to be followed the same year by 2007 Seniors’ Week Achievement Award for outstanding contribution to the community in the field of Education/Lifelong Learning.
I often wonder at the accolades bestowed on me for work I love doing. Whilst ever I can physically do the necessary research I hope to keep writing Tales from along the Wallaby Track or for as long as readers continue to enjoy an often ‘quirky’ history column.
Maybe one day we will meet on the Wallaby Track.
Norman McVicker's Budgee Budgee site 
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