“DAD” IN HAMILTON

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20693, 31 December 1938, Page 15 (Supplement)

“DAD” IN HAMILTON

MR BERT BAILEY EXPLAINS TRUTH OF CHARACTERISATION An interesting visitor to Hamilton is Mr Bert Bailey, who has interpreted the character of “Dad” in “On Our Selection” for many years on stage and screen. The numerous attacks in the past few Years have failed to convince this great old trouper that “Dad’ ’ is not typical of the Australian farmer. “Jt. is all very well for a city dweller to pass these comments,” he says. “How many of them have toured Australia, visiting every country town and village? ... I have. I’ve spent a lifetime studying Iho small farmer. He knows me—and I’m proud to say I know him. His splendid courage, tenacity and humour arc attributes upon which I have built my characterisation. “His isolation, and in spite of the fact that I have been told that the modern farmer is actively in touch these days with the outside world, T still say his isolation has made him

the quaint yet lovable character that has been broadened by Steele Rudd. Wireless has helped to bring the Australian farmer in touch with the city, i admit that, but there are still thousands of country people who cannot afford a wireless. “ ‘ Dad ’ is modelled on the small farmer, not the squatter who has the swimming pool and cocktail parties guaranteed to show city socialities a thing or two.”