Larrikin culture has been a part of our national identity since the late 1800s. Some say it arose from having to put up with the corrupt constabulary back in the colonial days – a reaction to stuffy British officials as colonial culture developed – or maybe it was just as an expression of a national distaste for authority. Wherever it comes from, there’s no doubt that Aussies have a pretty big soft spot for the larrikin, so we thought we’d make a list…
10. Shane Warne
Love him or hate him, Warnie is undeniably a larrikin. Dubbed ‘The King of Spin’ for his incredible spin bowling abilities, it’s a term that fits the world renowned cricketer both on and off the field. He’s been in trouble for giving pitch information to bookies, numerous sexting scandals, blazing a fag when he was being paid not to and he even got banned for a year for failing a drug test. Nevertheless, if you were to ask if we’re sure Warnie deserves a spot on our list, we’d have to answer “yeah yeah!”
9. Errol Flynn
“In like Flynn” is a well-known phrase that arose from this Tasmanian-born actor’s famous penchant for the fairer sex and the ease in which he could seduce the ladies. He was reputedly a hard drinking man and was also a Castro sympathiser during the Cuban Revolution. His autobiography, entitled My Wicked, Wicked Ways, has been described as one of the most compelling and appalling autobiographies ever written, and was published shortly after Flynn’s sudden death in 1959.
8. Warwick Capper
Just watch the video – enough said!
7. Sam Newman
Sam Newman is well known for his antics both on and off the screen. The former Geelong AFL champ, moved from the field to the studio back in the 80s and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2002. He’s never too far from controversy, but anyone who’s prepared to don a mankini and slide into a pool of ice water deserves a spot on our list.
6. Alby Mangels
Alby Mangels is Australia’s original wild man, and has probably been on more adventures than the rest of us combined. He set off in the early 80s with $400 and a camera and filmed his first adventure doco, World Safari, straight off the cuff. The movie competed in the box office with top grossing American films of the time like Star Wars and held its own – not bad for a home job. Well known for always having a lady or two in his company, Alby did things his own way. And at ManSpace, we reckon he’s alright.
5. Peter Lalor
Image: ergo.slv.vic.gov.au
“We swear by the Southern Cross to stand truly by each other and fight to defend our rights and liberties.” – Eureka Oath of allegiance, Peter Lalor.
First flown at the Eureka Stockade, the Southern Cross flag remains a symbol of revolution, defiance and Australian spirit. The armed uprising on December 3, 1854 at Bakery Hill Ballarat was fought by gold miners against corrupt, oppressive colonial forces is argued by many to be the event that gave birth to Australian democracy. So it seems only fitting that Peter Lalor, the man who led the fight for the rights of those gold miners, should have a place on our Top Ten Aussie Larrikins list.
4. Bob Hawke
Only in Australia could a feller be a champion beer drinker (Bob downed 2 ½ imperial pints in 11 seconds) and Prime Minister. The Hawke Government brought in Medicare and Landcare, and announced Advance Australia Fair as the National Anthem. He is the most successful Labor leader in history, and, in true larrikin style, attributes a large part of his success to his beer drinking ability!
3. Paul Hogan
No larrikin list would be complete without one of Australia’s most iconic larrikins – Hoges. He worked on the story bridge before starting his career on the telly, a job that probably contributed quite a bit to the tanned, wiry features he is so well known for. Back in the 70s The Paul Hogan Show was a long running favourite both at home and abroad and made Paul Hogan a household name. He famously coined the phrase “slip an extra shrimp on the barbie” in a tourism ad in the early 80s before going on to secure his quintessential role in Crocodile Dundee.
2. Steve Irwin
Steve Irwin, what a bloke! There a few people on earth that can demonstrate the level of raw enthusiasm that Steve displayed on a daily basis. A lot of us used to take the micky out of Steve because of his over-the-top mannerisms, but you’ve got to hand it to him – he knew what he liked, what was important to him and didn’t let anything get in the way of getting the job done. Hats off to you Steve.
1. Ned Kelly
Image: cv.vic.gov.au
Ned Kelly has inspired more biographies than any other Aussie and is to many the epitome of what it means to be Australian. He believed in loyalty and mateship, and was an underdog who represented the struggles of the working class. Of course, he has his detractors but we think of Ned as a true folk hero here at ManSpace – an original larrikin.
