Pics From The Past | Comedy maestro unwrapping laughter!

By Geoff Allemand

Apr 5, 2024

Sharing the spotlight: Joey the Clown and Marmie the Lion at the GMV 6 studio. Photo by Contributed

Wally McQuaker — Joey the Clown

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Wally, a comedian and singer, was born in Rockhampton, Queensland in 1933. The first instrument he learnt to play was the mouth organ, followed by the guitar. After marrying, he moved to central Queensland and worked as a stockman, shed-hand and drover. While out west, his wife, Alice, gave him a Levin guitar. Word got around about his talents and he was soon in great demand.

In 1960, he toured with Chad Morgan, Trevor Day, Les Partell and ‘Boof’ Morgan, and then he joined the Buddy Williams Show. In 1964, Wally stopped at Shepparton to call in on an old friend, Neville Pellitt, who was an announcer on 3SR. While there, he was offered work on 3SR’s Harmony Trail Show, where he appeared with Kevin Shegog, The Hickey Sisters, Nell Hoskins and Keith Riordon.

Wally also worked in television on a show called Surprise Package on GMV channel 6 as a resident singer and comedian. That led to a comedy spot on GMV 6 Juniors as ‘Joey the Clown’ until the early 1970s. Wally moved to Coffs Harbour in 1973. It was here that ‘Joey the Clown’ appeared on NBN television and became a rodeo clown.

When living in Coffs Harbour he spent time songwriting and recording, as well as doing shows with his three daughters. In 2005, he was inducted into the Country Music Hands of Fame at Tamworth. Wally passed away in Coffs Harbour in 2019.

– Excerpts from an article by Ian Hands - Ambassadors of Country Music

Facebook comments:

Angie Jones

As a six-year-old, I had the biggest crush on Joey, especially after visiting the GMV6 TV station. Oh, the dreams of a young girl.

Suzy Cheshire

The only clown I was NEVER scared of.

Mary Seidel

I loved watching Joey the Clown on GMV6! Saw him at a rodeo also ... playing ‘the clown’ in the ring.

Brendan Atchison

We didn’t have TV, so we used to go to the next-door neighbour’s (in Yarrawonga) just to watch this show. I recall Wally and Nancy Cato, in fact. I can still clearly remember the night she said goodbye to head off to the then-new ATV 0.

Paul Paula Stevens

This is the GMV Juniors Club. ‘Why don’t you come and join us each night at 4 (5) o’clock at the GMV Juniors Club? Hooray.’

Jan Deane

RIP Wally. Great memories of the GMV Juniors, Nancy Cato and singing The Carnival Is Over on the show.

Linda N Baz Ewert

RIP Wally. Such a lovely man. Memories of working with him at GMV6.

Brian Smith

Wally was a great friend of mine when I was an announcer at GMV6. A number of years ago, I was in the middle of Australia covering the Australian Safari when this voice called out Smithy, you bastard, and sure enough, it was Wally. He and his wife, Alice, were touring their show, and even at GMV, Wally was a talented artist as well as a bloody good bloke. I have great memories of a great station, GMV6, and a great bloke, as indeed were all my workmates in 1964 and 1965.