Mungo MacCallum, press gallery cricket

Mungo MacCallum (1941–2020) was one of Australia's best-known political journalists. A descendant of William Charles Wentworth and the nephew of long-serving Liberal politician Bill Wentworth, the left-leaning MacCallum was once described by Gough Whitlam as the 'lunatic son of the Australian political aristocracy'. MacCallum emerged as one of the most colourful and astute members of the Canberra press gallery during the tumultuous years of the Gorton, Whitlam and Fraser governments. He wrote prolifically, contributing to most major Australian political papers, journals and platforms including The National Review, The National Times, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Monthly and The Drum. He also devised a weekly cryptic crossword for The Saturday Paper. Among his several books were Mungo: the man who laughs (2001), autobiographical account of Australian politics in the post-Holt years; and How To Be A Megalomaniac (2002), an instructional guide for aspiring politicians. MacCallum’s later books included Poll Dancing (2007) and Punch and Judy: The Double Disillusion Election of 2010 (2011).

The caption on this drawing references the regular cricket matches played between members of the press gallery and politicians during the 1970s and 1980s. As a rule, they both fielded very ordinary cricket sides.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of Enid Hawkins 2003
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
© Enid Hawkins (nee Hinder)