EVER ELUSIVE: Glenn Warr, Singleton Argus cartoonist for 14 years, is calling it quits.
IT is with much regret that The Singleton Argus declares today’s paper contains Glenn Warr’s last regular cartoon.
Glenn has been amusing Argus readers for more than 14 years with his ability to capture the antics of weekly news events through his cartoons.
Loved by all, even those who have been the subject of his wicked humour, Glenn’s contribution will be sorely missed.
Glenn is about to take another artistic venture to the next level and said as much as he enjoyed cartooning for The Argus, it was time he got serious.
He is working on a series of T-shirts under the White Line Skunk brand and says he can’t wait for the day to see a complete stranger walking down the street, wearing one of his designs.
“I’ll be telling them, that’s a nice shirt, where can I get one?” Glenn said.
Glenn started cartooning after walking into The Argus office all those years ago complaining to the then editor, Andrew Sonter, that they could do better in the cartoon department and get someone local.
“Andrew said ‘show us what you’ve got’ and he put me on trial and I have been on trial ever since,” Glenn said this week.
Over that time Glenn has only missed two editions, even contributing via fax and later email when he was travelling overseas. Glenn’s son, Myles, has also helped out on a couple of occasions on behalf of his dad so it’s a huge thanks to Myles and Glenn’s wife, Nerrin, for their support.
Glenn was awarded a Harry Budd Journalism Award for his work.
This award was for a piece he completed after the 9/11 terrorism attack on America and featured a kangaroo with its arm around an eagle.
The Singleton Argus learned later that a local resident had sent a copy of the cartoon to a friend who worked at the Pentagon in America and that image hangs on the walls of this prominent building.
Each cartoon features a rock with a hole in it and the name Dips. The rock is just a bit of fun but Dips is the name of a person who means a lot to Glenn and always will.
“I have really enjoyed the cartoons, the weekly chats to come up with ideas, most of which aren’t funny I might add, but the time is right for me to go,” Glenn attempted to explain.
Argus editor Di Sneddon is devastated with the decision and said it would be impossible to replace Glenn but she would try.
“Glenn has been an integral member of the editorial team and we have all valued his input, his sense of humour and his talents,” Di said.
“We have been very fortunate to have had our own, personal cartoonist who has been able to put some lightheartedness and at times, compassion, into the news events of the day and he will leave a huge void,” she said.
In his usual dry humour, Glenn said he would like to thank the bats for giving him years of inspiration.
In justifying his decision, Glenn said readers of The Argus were getting plenty of amusement from the council antics.
“How can a cartoonist compete with that?” he said.