E10 – A Liverpudlian Makes His Mark
Produced by David Ward on January 30, 2018
Tags - George Harrison - Ian McDonnell - Interviewed by Rod McKenzie - Liverpool - Migration
Ian’s been a sewing machine repairman, an actor, a clown, a stuntman, a radio host, a carer, a husband and father, and a life-long amateur historian. In the first of a two-part interview Rod McKenzie talks to Ian about growing up in Liverpool and his journey to a new life in Australia.
Ian always been an active member of the community, he’s one of the founding members of the Gawler History Team, and he’s volunteered all over Gawler with all sorts of projects, and even won the Volunteer of the Year award for his work teaching computer classes at Community House.
There are a series of stories under all of which highlight his love of life, his sense of adventure, his cheeky humour, and his commitment to service and community.
In this 30 minute interview Ian discusses growing up in Liverpool in the same neighborhood as George Harrison and Paul McCartney. He then relates in vivid detail and humour the family’s voyage to Australia on the SS Orontes which left Tilbury Dock on 25th October 1960. Then … arriving at the Finsbury Hostel in Jan 1961 … just imagine! Finally he talks of his involvement in the “Rag Trade” in the Elizabeth area and its sad demise.
All images courtesy of Ian.
Ian McDonnell (Image courtesy of Ian McDonnell) 
Ian with his sister at Little Heath in Liverpool
(Image courtesy of Ian McDonnell)
Ian’s home in Little Heath
(Image courtesy of Ian McDonnell)
George Harrison’s house in Little Heath, Liverpool
(Image courtesy of Ian McDonnell)
George Harrison in Little Heath
(Image courtesy of Ian McDonnell)
The Orontes
Ian and his family arrived in Australia aboard the Orontes, and he even got the Captain’s autograph!
(Image courtesy of Ian McDonnell)
Ian at Finsbury Hostel
(image courtesy of Ian McDonnell)
Ian’s first Australian home at Winterbourne Road, Elizabeth Vale
(Image courtesy of Ian McDonnell)
The History Team at work Ian and Brian Thom 
Ian, his son Josh and ex-mayor Brian Sambell
(Image courtesy of Ian McDonnell)
Gawler Clock Tower Committee
From the left. Ian McDonnell, Aub Kaesler, Colin Holbrook (deceased), Sheila Willox, Ian Polkinghorne, John Chiller.
Ian in costume for Sara Dane TV Show
Ian had a small part in the 1980’s TV show Sara Dane
Bunyip article 1998 about Ian’s computer course 
Ian in Road Safety Video
This is a still shot from Ian’s work in a road safety video of the 1980’s. He discusses this in his podcast.
Acting Days publicity photograph
Ian’s 1980 publicity photograph when he was trying to extend his acting career
Darryl Hicks Sport Show 5PBA
Ian hosted a regular sport show on 5PBA with Centrals Coach and ex Sturt footballer Darryl Hicks
Breakthrough Stunt Car Club Elizabeth West
Hear Ian’s story about Stunt Car driving in 1970’s Elizabeth
Bunyip article. “Doctor in the House”
Ian had the lead role in three productions of Doctor in the House. This story highlights the performance in Gawler
“I saw and add from a guy who was running a stunt school. I thought, ‘that might be fun’”.It wasn’t all fun. In this 4 minute chat Ian discusses his love of stunt work and the harmful consequences.
On the 2nd June 1953 Queen Elizabeth 2nd was crowned. There were street parties in Liverpool everywhere. Ian was 5 yrs old and talks of his memories of that time. ( 2 minutes)
Want to find out more about Ian McDonnell? Head over to the Gawler History Team and check out their collection of stories and photos of Gawler throughout the years.
Title: Ian McDonnell
Guest: Ian McDonnell
Host: Rod McKenzie
Editor: Barry Neylon
Producer: Barry Neylon
Transcript: Barry Neylon
Music: “Lounge Lizard”, composed by Chris Martin and Geoff Harvey, purple-planet.com
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
