Vin Maskell

Naming rites

January 29, 2013

This story was published in The Big Issue in January 2013. A shorter version was broadcast on ABC 774 on 20 January 2017. IT IS the day before Australia Day 2012 and a man is asking me the name of this part of the country. The traditional name. It is six in the morning, on […]

Tagged: Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Australia Day, beach, black swan, Swan River, swan valley, Wathaurong, Williamstown, Woiworung

Posted in: City stories, Sea stories, The Big Issue

The Moon and the lazy eye (preview)

July 12, 2019

Dear Loyal Reader, ‘Am delighted to be part of The Big Issue’s Moon Landing 50th Anniversary Special, in the company of Alan Attwood, Uncle Wayne Thorpe, Michael Epis, and photographer Daniel Kordan. My little story? It starts like this: LUNCHTIME. 21 July 1969. St Patricks’ Primary School, Mentone. Victoria, Australia, The Earth, The Milky Way, […]

Tagged: Moon Landing, St Patrick's Primary Mentone

Posted in: The Big Issue

My Highs, My Lows

May 3, 2019

My Highs, My Lows was published in The Big Issue (Australia) #585 (18 April to 2 May 2019). I blame my older brothers for teaching me. I blame my parents for allowing me. I blame my wife for turning a blind eye. I blame my children for continuing the tradition. I do not blame myself […]

Tagged: chocolate, family, MILO, The Big Issue

Posted in: Family, The Big Issue

My Highs, My Lows (preview)

April 18, 2019

The Big Issue has just published My Highs, My Lows – a light-hearted look at my life-long relationship with a certain cold chocolate beverage.

Tagged: chocolate, humour, MILO, The Big Issue

Posted in: Family, Life, The Big Issue

History in the ma(r)king

March 18, 2019

Dear Reader, After all these years you’d think I’d written enough about footy, and especially kick-to-kick. And maybe I have. But another story, light as a feather, appeared over the weekend. There was still dew on the morning grass so John and I knew to keep the ball off the ground. We stand 20 […]

Tagged: fearon reserve, footy, kick-to-kick

Posted in: Sports stories

Readings on the deck, Thursday February 21

February 14, 2019

A note from my local library, folks… Homegrown Hobsons Bay writers Vin Maskell, Lucia Nardo, Joyce Butcher and Carolyn Morwood discuss the impact of place to engage, to inform, to shock and to shape. Is it really location, location, location for both the writer and the reader? Join us for this Special Readings on the […]

Tagged: Hobsons Bay, Hobsons Bay Library, Williamstown, Williamstown Library

Posted in: Uncategorized

Backyard Croak It

January 10, 2019

Thank you to The Big Issue for running this story in its recent summer edition (#577. 26 December 2018 to 10 January 2019). Chang was no cricketer. For starters, he was a dog. And not one of those dogs that can chase and even catch cricket balls. No, Chang was a Pomeranian-cross. Small, orange, […]

Tagged: backyard cricket, crcket, pets

Posted in: Family, Sports stories, The Big Issue