"Ginger Meggs," Australia's most popular and longest-running comic strip, was created in the early 1920s by Jimmy Bancks. The strip follows the escapades of a red-haired prepubescent mischief-maker who lives in an inner suburban working-class household. Ginger Meggs first appeared in November 1921 in the “Us Fellers” strip Bancks drew for the Sydney Sunday Sun. The character was based on Bancks' best friend, Charlie Somerville, who became a businessman and councillor in the Sydney suburb of Hornsby.
Bancks created, wrote, drew, and syndicated “Ginger Meggs” until 1952, when he died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Bancks left behind a year’s worth of strips, which ran until artist Ron Vivian took over (1953–1973). Lloyd Piper (1973–1982) and James Kemsley (1983–2007) also worked on the strip. In 2007, Jason Chatfield took over writing and drawing “Ginger Meggs.”
The strip remains the most widely syndicated Australian comic strip, appearing in over 120 newspapers in 34 countries. In 1997, a park in Valley Road, Hornsby, where Bancks spent considerable time in his childhood, was officially named Ginger Meggs Park. In 1985, a postage stamp honoring Ginger and his creator was issued by Australia Post. In 2011, the Perth Mint released a commemorative 1-ounce silver Australian $1 coin to celebrate the 90th anniversary of “Ginger Meggs.” The coin was designed by current "Ginger Meggs" cartoonist Jason Chatfield.
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Available in Color About Jason Chatfield
Jason Chatfield is Australia’s most widely syndicated cartoonist. The fifth cartoonist to write and draw the iconic Australian comic strip "Ginger Meggs" since its creation in 1921, his work has been exhibited in the USA, UK, France, and Australia. He is vice president of the National Cartoonists’ Society and past-president of the Australian Cartoonists’ Association.
Chatfield was named Australian Cartoonist of the Year and Comic Strip Cartoonist of the Year by the Australian Cartoonists' Association in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013.
Chatfield works days in his studio in New York as a freelance caricaturist and illustrator and works nights as a stand-up comic. You might have seen him on “Funny Or Die” or as a regular New York correspondent for "ABC News Breakfast" (ABC TV), "Nova 100" (radio), and "The Project" (Network 10). He really likes pizza. A lot.
Cast
Ginger
Australia's favorite little red-haired boy! If he's not riding his billycart or getting into mischief, he's hanging out with his best mates, Benny, Hookey and Chubb -- or making life difficult for his parents, John and Sarah. Ginger has been entertaining readers since 1921, making it the longest-running comic strip in Australian history.
Benny
Ginger's best mate, Benny likes nothing more than to stay in the shade and let out a fishing line, but he usually gets roped into more dangerous activities by Ginger, like running the billycart down Deadman's Hill, or stirring up Tiger Kelly with elaborate pranks and tricks. Benny always wears the big floppy hat his pop gave him, except when Mr. Canehard demands he take it off when he's in class.
Aggie
The tomboy of the group, Aggie is Minnie's best friend, and she's hopelessly unlucky in love. She insists she's going out with Chubb, but if you ask him, he'll tell you a different story. Aggie spends her spare time answering emails from lovelorn readers in "Aggie's Syndicated Column for Those in Love" (or those who want to be!).
Fitzzy
Cuthbert Fitzcloon, or "Fitzzy," is the school nerd and a self-confessed teacher's pet. He knows everything, but he tends not to realize this results his having no friends. He always has the latest gadgets and technology, which is why Ginger likes to hang out with him.Ginger's best mate, Benny likes nothing more than to stay in the shade and let out a fishing line, but he usually gets roped into more dangerous activities by Ginger, like running the billycart down Deadman's Hill, or stirring up Tiger Kelly with elaborate pranks and tricks. Benny always wears the big floppy hat his pop gave him, except when Mr. Canehard demands he take it off when he's in class.
Sarah
Ginger's persistent mum is always put to the test by Ginger's endless bratty antics. Very pragmatic, she's the real head of the household, though sometimes Ginger's charm can get the better of her. Sarah's constantly baffled and amused by her dorky husband's failed efforts to do the man's chores around the house.
John
Ginger's middle-aged goofy dad, John is always enthusiastic about the good ol' days of having fun out in the neighborhood and not sitting in front of TV or XBox360. An accountant by trade, he is completely unaware of how innately boring he is. He still works things out on paper and dreads having to use computers.
Mike
One of Ginger's two closest partners in crime, his black-and-white Jack Russell dog. Mike will follow Ginger everywhere, but no matter how many times Ginger's dad tells Mike to stay outside, he always finds a way back in. Subsequently, his nickname around the house has become "Mike-Outside."
Minnie
The ginger-headed object of Ginger's affection -- or at least he likes Minnie enough not to be afraid of catching girl germs. Minnie hangs out with her best friend, Aggie, talking about boys and how little sense they seem to make.
