Biographies 1 - Warren Maloney

 Biographies 1 - Warren Maloney - The First 72 years

(Written by Warren Maloney for a Politics Zoom Group - Jackson 8 - on 25th June 2021)

A Scorpio child of 1948, the 2nd and last into a loving home with no money but aspirations by Dad that “the lad has a big head, but he might make a Carlton footballer”. Mum was delighted that she had produced a girl and a boy and now “we could get on with it.”

Dad and his brothers had sired 3 cousins born in 3 months, so a Baptism party (read family piss-up) was possible. No one was loaded but everyone liked the idea, so Uncle Rex took charge. Somehow, he knew Sony St Louis who operated a “respectable” brothel in St Kilda and was happy to give us the run of her big room for our family do.

Kegs of beer were obtained. Sandwiches were made. Sunday best was worn, and a great family shindig was held until 6pm when we all had to vacate to allow the regular customers in. So, “big head” and his 2 cousins were welcomed into the Catholic Church rituals and their extended Family. (Photo of happy family arvo attached)

Over the intervening 72 years from Sony’s parlour to Maloney’s Folly on the hill in Camelot, I have learnt much about failed aspirations, the luck of “dodging bullets”, living with your strengths, and cherishing what you can’t replace.

On the failed aspirations and dodged bullets –

·         I had my Mum’s build, so I could never repeat Dad’s successes on the footy & basketball fields. But Mum taught me to dance, and I reckon that has been a better outcome.

·         I toyed in my teens with becoming a Priest, but the Chastity Oath was going to be too difficult.

·         I gave up on the prospect of life as a Solicitor when I realised that the combination of paper tied with red ribbons + bowing to bewigged “wrinklies” + seeing everything as a win/loss ratio was just not going to work for me.

·         I have never really enjoyed the blokey environs of male dominated Clubs. So, hanging out at the Golf Club or at the Pub was not doing it for me. It was another factor why I failed Public Service and Corporate life (in addition to failing to bow to each Poohbah). I lasted 6 weeks as a Public Servant (but I did access my own ASIO file). I spent 9 years in Corporate life (Insurance Broking & Underwriting) – the last 3 were bearable as I learnt I went better when I was a “significant” Shareholder and Director.

·         I learnt almost the hard way in our own Insurance Broking business that having lots of Mafia clients, whilst being very, very lucrative, had several barbs in its tail.

·         I learnt that I would never get published my “Great Australian” crime novel, but I could use some of the skills in projects ranging from Cowboy stories for Dad (written on odd bits of cardboard) to short stories for Friends/Family (limit of attention span) to humorous Eulogies for Mates.

 On living with strengths –

·         I learnt I had a bit of the genetics of my theatrical ancestors (think jugglers/vaudeville comics/trapeze artists) and enjoyed a journey from playing Friar Tuck (of course mis-cast) as a 9-year-old to bringing it all together in my 30s as an inebriated, sad, but verbose, Football Club President in “The Club”.

·         Learning that Karen & I had not only a very special marriage but that we were a formidable business team, and as long as we employed Mothers of 4 kids or more (they are the best organised/focused/loyal workmates), we could build something special.

·         Learning the love of involvement in Community Aspirations and Politics, starting with anti-Vietnam in the 60s and still going today (although not on the Streets anymore). Learning also that I made a pretty good serial City/Country Mayor as long as I didn’t hang around too long. And learning that Policy development at the 3 Government levels could bring long term change.

And on that Cherishing – I was very lucky to dance with a long-haired 16-year-old beautiful girl at a Church Hall in April 1966, and to find we both committed quickly and forever. Together we have achieved more for us and others than our backgrounds could have dared imagine, although we just never seem to be mainstream. There is something very precious about making mistakes and drinking to the good days together!



 

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