A family man and Redcliffe local at heart, life’s a holiday for actor/ author William McInnes, as detailed in his latest book, 'Holidays'.
Released in November, McInnes' 'Holidays' traces our fascination with holidays, giving readers an insight into his own experiences. Whether it’s a holiday to Canberra that the Redcliffe schoolboy didn’t actually take or a spur of the moment trip to a medieval castle in Victoria which, would you believe, did not have Foxtel, McInnes has had all these adventures and more.
Until an off-hand conversation with a publicist from Hachette, writing 'Holidays' was never really on McInnes’ agenda, but it was an idea to which he quickly warmed. "This book happened because I’m very passionate about fulfilling a book contract," he jokes.
Despite the fact it is called 'Holidays', McInnes’ book is a tribute to his hometown of Redcliffe and all that makes it unique. Some of the greatest tales – from the disastrous jaunt through Kosy Korner Caravan Park to the ill-fated babysitting of a budgie named Peter – actually occur when the family stays at home for holidays, rather than venturing off on a catastrophic, train trip.
Image © Tessa Ross-PhelanCurrently residing in Melbourne, McInnes’ love of his home town is obvious. "It’s where I grew up, it’s where I spent a lot of time with people I loved," McInnes says when asked what makes Redcliffe so special. "Every time I come here, I go away with a funny story or something nice happens. Of course, I’m always going to drift back here."
In public, he has been mistaken from anyone from Colin Firth to Mark Latham. But one could say things really started to heat up in 1990, when he played John Freeman in 'A Country Practice'. He then starred alongside Sigrid Thornton in 'Sea Change' before winning Australia’s heart as Nick Schultz in 'Blue Heelers'. He had a brief appearance in 'Kath And Kim' and most recently, is gracing television screens in ABC’s hit show 'The Time Of Our Lives'.
Regardless of the fact he has won two Logies, as well as an AFI for his role in 'Unfinished Sky', McInnes has no illusions about his career, or the creative industry in general. "It’s a hard career path because there is no justice to it at all. A lot more talented people than I have given up the ghost and don’t do it anymore," he says.
For most, the transition from actor to author is a difficult one. However, this was not the case for McInnes. Coming from a family of storytellers – or "bullshit artists" as McInnes says – it would seem that the ability to spin a good yarn is in the blood. His memoirs, such as 'A Man’s Got To Have A Hobby', 'That’d Be Right' and 'Worse Things Happen At Sea' (written with wife Sarah Watt), as well as his fiction works: 'Cricket Kings', 'The Laughing Clowns' and 'The Birdwatcher' have made McInnes one of Australia’s best-loved authors.
Certainly, the crowds of fans at his book talks are a testament to his popularity as an author. Ultimately, fame and fortune do not matter to McInnes and he remains humble about his success. He has had many highlights in his life, from working with his wife on 'Look Both Ways' to the delight with which he is received by fans on his book tour, but the best is yet to come.
When asked about what he considers to be his epitome of success, it has nothing to do with his career. "Being in a place with my family and the people I like and love and not feel threatened about tomorrow. That’s all I ever want. That’s all any Australian wants."
'Holidays' is available now.
