Justin Mahoney was so inspired by the life of his dad Phil Mahoney, he decided to write his biography.
The book, titled Try A Little Kindness - The Phil Mahoney Story, recounts Phil's 50 years in the entertainment industry.
It contains a great deal of Newcastle history across the entertainment, rugby league and racing industries.
"Entertainment is in my blood. My father William and his 11 siblings performed as the Magical Mahoneys around the Menangle area of Sydney in the early 1900s," Phil said.
"They would often entertain visiting royals who stayed at the Macarthur family's sheep station."
Phil said his "wonderful mother" Emily was a major influence on his life.
"Despite coming from fairly humble circumstances herself, she would always be helping newly arrived immigrants from Europe that would live in a house next door that was rented out to new arrivals," he said.
"She would teach them how to speak English and also welcome them with some cake or biscuits. Mum would also provide food and a soft drink for the many hungry kids who roamed the streets of Lambton in the post-WWII years."
Phil's parents and primary school teachers [nuns from the Sisters of Mercy at St John's Lambton] "drummed into me the importance of treating everyone with respect, regardless of their wealth or place in society".
"One of my greatest childhood memories was the arrival of the famous Tessier racing family to some vacant horse stables directly opposite my childhood home in De Vitre Street, Lambton.
"The Tessiers were so kind to me, giving me my first paid job as a stable hand at the age of nine and inviting me to many of their family outings. Their kindness really changed my childhood. So I have been motivated to pay it forward to other people in my life."
Justin said his dad's story was inspirational because "he has achieved everything through hard work and talent".
"He wasn't born into a wealthy family, but thankfully his parents and siblings were all loving people who encouraged him to become an entertainer.
"Phil has been such a major part of Newcastle life since the 1950s in so many areas. He has freely given his time to help many charities and mentoring many young performers.
"He has been my role model in life."
Phil said his dad "treats everyone with respect and compassion - whether they are an international entertainer or a young busker looking for their big break".
Copies of the book are available from philmahoney.com.au. All proceeds will be donated to Camp Quality.
MacRobertson's Chocolate
Our piece about World Chocolate Day sparked a memory for Fred Saunders, of Waratah West.
"It reminded me that back in the 1950s there was a chocolate, I think, by the Australian chocolate company called MacRobertson's," he said.
"The chocolate was very dark. It was called 'the smoker's chocolate'. Couldn't get away with that today, probably. Just as well."
Macpherson Robertson, who founded the company in 1880, died in 1945. In 1967, his heirs sold the company to Cadbury.
Viral Jokes
Do you remember on all those Sundays when you just wanted the weekend to go on forever? Well, wish granted.
