ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

If you’ve ever sat back on the couch and wondered why you’ve never seen former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett and the unsinkable HG Nelson in the same room, think no more.

The comedian behind both of those timeless and much-loved characters has opened up today about a lifetime spent in the Victorian Parliament and the dizzy, exclusive heights of the Australian comedy scene.

Greig Pickhaver, a polite and happy-go-lucky South Australian septuagenarian, is the man who gave birth to these two iconic characters and he spoke briefly to The Advocate via telephone this afternoon where he reflected on his life that’s brought so much joy to so many people.

“You know, there’s a lot of HG Nelson in Jeff Kennett,” he said.

“And vice-versa. I was very privileged to be able to do what I’ve been able to do. Not every job lets you crush unions by day and make fun of Steven Bradbury’s barge arse by night,”

“There’s not a whole lot I’d do differently if I had my time again. Perhaps I wouldn’t have choked out Ted Baillieu that time with my bare thighs. I’m glad that one didn’t get out to the media at the time. We both laugh about it now but at the time, not as much.”

Greig Pickhaver’s full interview with The Advocate will be aired locally tomorrow at 12 pm on Desert Rock FM during the Betoota Advocate Radio Hour.

More to come.