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"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.
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.