Just So Stories

Hachette Australia

Oct 14, 2025 | 9780733652912 | RRP $34.99

I thought I had missed out on a ticket to William McInnes’ event here in Redcliffe but then was lucky – someone dropped out so I was at the top of the waiting list and scored. And even luckier, when I requested this new title of his, Hachette generously sent it to me. And over the past 3 days of my birthday festivities, I have snickered, chortled, guffawed my way through it, as I always do with William’s hilarious anecdotes. His reminiscences so often have the quality of absurdist humour, but it’s the close-to-home of stories that focus on Redcliffe that have the most appeal for me.

I spoke to my dear friend, Mr Surfer, on Sunday regarding this, as he once lived for a while in Woody Point as well when he was a child and has fond memories of that time. I talked about the relentless ongoing gentrification (I call it the Noosafication) of Redcliffe, as old houses are bought for the land, torn down and new monstrosities built in their space or, on a larger scale, whole swathes of little shops or dwellings that are being replaced by behemoth and seriously sterile unit blocks, all of which sell for astronomical prices.

Meanwhile, we have one of the biggest problems of homelessness in the state as ordinary folks are put out of their long-term rentals to enable this, and then are not able to find alternative accommodation. The Kid and I have had our own struggles with this.

BUT aside from that the Redcliffe that Bill recalls with the quirky inhabitants, odd moments, strange affection for certain rituals etc remains intact. Now that I’ve lived here for nearly 20 years, I have developed this same affection for the unique nature of life on the peninsula.

As with his other books in this genre, there are so many moments when I laugh out loud because I recognise that what was experienced years ago, remains today – only slightly changed by time. As a raconteur, Bill is of the highest standard. He is amusing and witty, but also philosophical and insightful. He brings his own special brand of serendipity to his stories and that, in turn, brings joy to his readers.

I had always had a high regard for this man but when I first made his aquaintance in person that was cemented. Knowing he was going to be visiting on one of his regular trips, I invited him to come to Scarborough State School (where I was t-l at the time) to talk to our Year 7s about his experiences growing up in Redcliffe, as they were studying that ubiquitous ‘local area’ unit. The students found him just as entertaining and uproariously funny as adults do [it was also the only time I’ve had mums ‘drop in’ to the library for an event]. I also met him at another local function quite a few years ago – and then there’s once or twice I’ve spotted him at the shops, as you do.

This new one will make a cracking Christmas gift for someone in your circle and there will be many moments of similar joy for them. For me, it was these among others: the recollection of the Elvis experience in Parkes (yes, I lived in Dubbo so know the Central West as well, and the absurdity of the Elvis festival too!), the trip to Kingaroy [where I lived when I had my first teaching post in Nanango 31 years ago] and the best pies ever from the Blackbutt bakery [The Kid and I went for a drive a few months and headed there for our lunch treat, the queue, as usual, was out the door] and stopping in Moore for a famous crab sandwich [I can’t eat crab but that was always our stop between Kingaroy and Brisbane, because the public toilets were so clean!], learning that the roads in Redcliffe were only just being sealed, kerbed and guttered when William was a kid – [What?? I grew up in Sydney and had never seen an unsealed road until I was an adult!] and all the magic that we Aussies associate with summer – not just Xmas (usually either sweltering or stormy), but, yes, Test matches and tennis, the beaches, swimming, zinc cream and suntan lotion, thongs, budgie smugglers (NOOOOOOOOOOO!) or boardshorts, ground too hot to walk on with bare feet, bindis and backyard cricket.

It proved a great birthday treat for me to read this over the past 3 nights, and I am truly looking forward to meeting up again with William in a week or so, thanks to Moreton Bay Meet the Author! I also want to throw it in here. I note that the McInnes’ house where William grew up, is for sale. I reckon council should buy it and turn it into a place for arts to flourish in recognition of one of our most recognised and popular local boys. Not a doubt in the world, it gets a 5 ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️rating for anyone who loves a good laugh and some iconic laconic Aussie humour.

EDIT 24/10/2025: What a terrifically fun evening hearing William aka Bill, tell some of his stories from It’s a Scorcher in person, and to be able to tell my own anecdote plus speak with him – and of course, get my book signed [straight to the pool room!].