Drawing inspiration from Emmerson

NZ Herald cartoonist Rod Emmerson scored a trifecta at the 34th annual Australian National Cartoon Gallery Awards in Coffs Harbour last night, including Cartoonist of the Year.

His caricature of Boris Johnson won the Merit Award in Caricature and his Vale Shane Warne cartoon won the Sport Category. He was awarded Cartoonist of the Year from these two entries across other competing categories. One of the judges, Gurmesh

Singh said his cartoons “captured the moment in time perfectly – especially the Boris cartoon”. His other entries included Putin — No Fly Zone and Scotus parody of Rosemary’s Baby.

Emmerson was unable to attend the awards function after contracting Covid on his return journey from a trip to the US..

Via a video message and written response to the organisers, he thanked his editors and colleagues for their support and encouragement, and dedicated his award to the memory of John Champion, a Coffs Harbour business leader who first planted the seed of creating a national cartoon gallery and museum in an old wartime bunker in Coffs Harbour. After major renovations, it is now an icon in the cartooning industry.

This weekend the gallery also hosts the Australian Cartoonists’ Association Stanley Awards, of which Emmerson is a former president and past winner.