The Sky Is Not The Limit: Talent is Only the Beginning

By Maggie Richardson

Meet Ross Hutchison, the man who doesn't just make the days count-he makes the minutes count. He has crammed many lifetimes into one life and made many friends along the way. Ross's boundless energy has taken him to the pinnacle of multiple careers, and his tutors and mentors along the way were always the royalty in their chosen fields. His work

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookTrail Publishing
• Release date: Nov 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781951505882

Maggie Richardson

Maggie is a Kiwi-born Australian with a love for the written word. Her work has been seen in newspapers, anthologies and the Australian Women's Weekly. She has previously published two business textbooks, Starting a Business in Australia and Starting and Surviving in Business in Australia, a Biography of Ross Hutchison- The Sky is NOT the Limit - her first poetry book, The Dance Goes. On Whisperings of the Soul is her second poetry book.

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Copyright © 2020 by Maggie Richardson

Paperback: 978-1-951505-89-9

eBook: 978-1-951505-88-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020918331

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This is a work of nonfiction.

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Pacific Book Review

In this book, author Maggie Richardson introduces Australian entrepreneur and entertainer extraordinaire Ross Hutchison. Hutchison’s explosion into the world’s stage started his busy pathway into a film and music career that would span decades and inspire generations of kids. Initially they would grow up watching him from their earliest viewings with his children’s comedy shows to eventually his later work in cabaret and theatre.

Hutchison is one of those men who doesn’t seem to need sleep nor seem to make any mistakes; one of those rare individuals who makes our world a better place just be being in it. You might have thought this was going to be an expose, Hollywood-style, of a famous man led astray by the spotlight and attention. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Hutchison is the very model of good sportsmanship and showmanship.

Much of this book does read like a Who’s Who of the most famous entertainers in the world because Hutchison has worked with some amazing legends. His contributions to the world of entertainment are astounding; as are the many records and awards he accomplished and won. But, his contributions exceed TV land and changed the shape of Australian culture. For example, because of his work within a children’s TV show, children supplied proof to the Department of Health of the inclusion of Argentine Ants in the area around Sydney; forcing several government agencies to work on this area of infestation. In Maggie Richardson’s book, Hutchison’s examples of changing culture is more than just showmanship fame.

These stories are what this book is all about. It isn’t just a name-dropping from famous theatre and TV stars. While there are some interesting stories about famous people, the real heart of the story is the man, Ross Hutchison, himself. His vast career is amazing, from his beginning to the end. Hutchison could have become a star, buffered by an entourage of close people, but instead remained a friendly guy-next-door throughout the whole story. In the end, you’ll feel as if Hutchison is a good friend, someone you would want to meet and get to know. His many philanthropical acts throughout the story add to his reputation and humanity. It’s clear in every word and on every page how much respect and care the writer has for the subject.

Those who grew up with Hutchison will love the trivia, tracing their favorite personality through his many career accomplishments. Those who love TV and theatre will enjoy reading about the details of his career and cheer when his dedicated old-fashioned work ethic brings him inevitable success. Those who don’t know Hutchison, or much about Australian TV, will still find a lot to enjoy in watching a man tackle the world and come out on top, with his ethics and morality rock-solid. There is a lot to like here, both in the book and in the man Ross Hutchison. Thanks to Richardson, you can call me a new fan!

The biography of Ross Hutchison, dancer, singer, television personality, actor, choreographer, producer, writer, raconteur, broadcaster, and teacher, Harness Horse race Driver/Trainer/Breeder, Master of Ceremonies, Justice of the Peace, Reverend Minister and promoter for numerous charities.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: The early years

Chapter 2: Big Musicals

Chapter 3: The Magic of Television

Chapter 4: Pantomime and Theatre Restaurants

Chapter 5: Cruise Ships and Restaurants

Chapter 6: Sports

Chapter 7: Advertising

Chapter 8: Major Openings

Chapter 9: Brilliant and Talented Friends

Chapter 10: Ross in the Fashion World

Chapter 11: Community Activities

Chapter 12: Speaking of Horses

Chapter 13: Stories from Childhood

Chapter 14: Body and Spirit

Chapter 15: The Dream

Chapter 16: The Future

Chapter 17: Memory Lane.

Introduction

I was telling a friend about a fundraiser on the Nepean Belle , a riverboat that sails the Nepean River from Penrith, (NSW). I said that the event had been organised by my friend Ross Hutchison. His immediate reaction was ‘Oh I know Ross – he’s a magic man.’ I was told in consequence that this man’s interaction with Rossco as his friends call him, was minimal, and after giving it some thought he realised it would have been more than thirty years since the encounter. I was told, ‘He operated his clinic at the squash courts in Penrith. He worked on my stepson when he was about 7-8 years old for juvenile arthritis and was very successful.’

So what was the magic of this man? What was so special about Rossco that made his reputation last so long and what did he do that made people remember him as ‘magic’? The real question is - how did he change the lives of the many people who came across his path? And what were the influences that led him to choose his various vocations?

Show business was Ross Hutchison’s first career choice. As a very young child attending a local community event, he had wandered away from his parents. When they found him he was on stage singing ‘Goodbye Little Yellow Bird’. It brought the house down. The four year old soaked in the adulation and he was hooked. He decided there and then that centre stage was where he belonged.

Ross grew up with the tutorage of teachers, guides and mentors who all have been ‘at the time’ well-known members of our society. Each was a master of their craft, the ‘cream of the crop’ whether dancers, choreographers or gymnasts and their heritage lives on through Ross and his students.

Throughout this book there are names of many real people. This is not a name dropping exercise; Ross was an integral part of Australian show business royalty. He was instrumental in the developing television scene as well as live theatre in general and his influence extended into the fields of fashion, sport and health, spiritual support and in lesser ways - the political scene. He reached into the community around him to support those who were on the journey to a better life. His students and followers now live a more focused life as a result of knowing him. So that you, the reader can appreciate the full extent of the fabric of the community that was evolving around and because of Ross, we have included historical references for the principal characters as well as background descriptions of places and events so that the reader may revisit the history that is attached to this tale and place Ross’ story in a historical context.

This is the biography of Ross Hutchison, dancer, singer, Television personality, actor, choreographer, producer, writer, raconteur, broadcaster, and teacher, Harness horse racer, Master of Ceremonies, Justice of the Peace, Reverend Minister and promoter for various charities.

He also humbly wears the title of Master Coach.

Throughout his life there has been an established pattern. In his early years he learned his stagecraft from the leaders in dance techniques. So when he sought to learn about all the disciplines involved in alternative health he again hunted down the best professionals in each field. He wanted the best knowledge from the best people. He showed the world the focus of professionalism as well as the tenderness and caring of a true healer, and he did it all with a smile on his face. He often said enthusiasm is a wonderful form of infection as he invited people to help create the world’s next epidemic – enthusiasm.

This is the story that charts Rossco’s path from childhood, through his dancing career, his healing work, his forays into community support; his impact on the international fashion scene, his work with children and horses and on to his current ministry.

We apologise that the book is not in strict chronological order. Ross did not do one thing at a time so rather than try to separate his criss-crossing plethora of activities I have focused on the activity itself so as to hopefully present a clearer picture.

I must insert a sincere thank you to my editors Judy Gaeppen, Michael Cook and Anne Hendrickson. Each contributed different feedback so I could present a functionally correct story of the life and times of Ross Hutchison. My final edit was conducted by Carole Webster and Rebecca Smokie Hayes nee Hutchison. Being closer to Ross gave them the opportunity to keep the story on track.

In essence Ross Hutchison rose to every challenge and succeeded in a spectacular manner. Along the way he joined forces with the cream of each discipline to make the world a better, more joyous place for the rest