Magic Mountain's Mr Magic

Leeton's Mr Magic seems worthy of a mention

One of these days David Boyd will be almost forgotten aside from this somewhat random appearance on Google Maps.

I remember he entertained a birthday party for one of my kids soon after we arrived in town.

Mr Magic performed a few tricks for the kids, while maintaining that slightly unsettling vibe I've seen magicians use to keep small children at a distance.

A few years later and David Boyd was the sole remaining member of a writing group and asked Western Riverina Arts to help with a workshop to acquit funds.

There weren't many people at the event, aside from the Regional Arts Development Officer and myself.

David was a bit critical about the content and the outcome, which I think might explain how it was he ended up being the sole remaining member.

Later in my role as Communications Officer at WRA I wrote about Mr Magic's workshops, which were a wonderful initiative that aimed to help neurodivergent kids.

I learned a lot more about David Boyd when I read the first part of his autobiography, The Blitz Kid.

The book details his childhood experiences of WWII and was interesting for the somewhat dubious deals he made to support himself during those chaotic years.

I'd need to re-read it to remind myself of the details, but the blurb on the back cover notes:

His childhood experiences gave him the ability of spotting a good business deal when one presented itself. Or to use his favorite [sic] term "A great little earner". But unlike his child hood earners, [sic?] these would all be legit.

After I read the book I pestered David when I saw him with his dog at the local park, hoping he'd let me proofread the second volume detailing his life after moving to Australia.

Another funny detail to share is that his home used to have a sign out front saying "The Boyd Nest" and you couldn't help but read it with his English accent!