Tuesday, March 1, 2016

HUMOROUS TOURISM STRUGGLE : BLAND TOWNSVILLE VERSUS DOGGONE MAGNETIC ISLAND


As part  of its  extensive contribution  to  Townsville's 150th  anniversary of local government , the  admirable  Special Collections  section at the Eddie Koiki  Mabo Library at James Cook University  is  displaying related  books, brochures, reports   and  early paintings. Subjects covered  include crocodiles , cyclones,  birdlife , early  tourist  brochures  and  the  above 1974  book of   animated cartoons highlighting  the  competing  attractions  of  Townsville  and  Magnetic Island.

While  Townsville has long been  called  Queen City of the North , in song as well , Magnetic Island  is flatteringly, justifiably  described as"the jewel in the crown "- a description  used  by  visiting  politicians .

The  cover illustration  suggests  a  tug-o'-war  for tourists between Townsville and the island.  Townsville's  limited attractions  are depicted as   Castle Hill , suspiciously shaped  like  mammaries , popular with  early morning joggers , walkers and billygoats , from which there are wonderful  views  of  the city ,  Magnetic Island , the  Coral Sea. Also shown   are  three  people who seem to be  holding  each  other up on the mainland .

In  the case  of  Magnetic Island, its many attractions  include  koalas, palm trees , Mini Mokes , a thirsty  canine hotel  bellboy , boats hired  out by a bloke in gumboots  and  a  curvaceous , bikini clad  girl ,with  pearly white teeth and painted lips . 

A point of particular  interest in the text  is mention  of a  proposal  to  join  Magnetic Island to Townsville via  a  causeway, an  idea   raised several  times recently.  It claims, surely in jest, the  idea was first proposed during  WWll  by a high ranking American who became seasick  each time  he sailed to the island  courting a  nursing sister, the causeway to  be constructed  by quarrying  Castle Hill  with  a workforce of 2000 Red  Indians  brought out from the USA !
  

 All   aboard  the  ferry  for  Magnetic Island .

The president of the Magnetic Island History and Craft Centre  Zanita Davies , kindly made  available  for  perusal  a copy of  Townsville versus Maggy Island, published in  the mining town of  Mount Isa ,  found on the desk of a Townsville doctor  and  photocopied.  The author  named on the cover  is "Jerrymade" . Hmmm.
 
Turns  out  the  author   was  none other than  Hans (Jerry) Becker, black and white artist, illustrator, cartoonist  and  writer  .  Under the name Hans Becker , he had  earlier,  circa 1970 , produced   Mount  Isa with its Pants Down , the town's roads  made from empty beer  cans .

The  Mount Isa publisher of the Townsville versus Maggy Island  book , Albert Hakfoort  , ran a novel explanation for the  recommended price of the  publication , saying  it  had been  set  due to the printer's incompetence at playing poker , as  well  as   the author's desperate  need  for  a new car and colour TV .

The artist , with a fine sense of humour and keen observations, had produced another   publication  like the earlier one ; if   some people did not like laughing , it was advised  the paper it was printed on was of  fish and chips wrapping quality, could be used  in  a little house or even stop draughts from whistling through  your  miserable  little  huts.