Chair of the MOAD board, Barrie Cassidy, with the 2024 Political Cartoonist of the Year, Megan Herbert, and special guest political satirist and broadcaster, Sammy J at the opening of the Behind The Lines exhibition. Photo: Sally Hopman.
When Megan Herbert was interviewed by her mentor Cathy Wilcox about how it felt to be named the 2024 Political Cartoonist of the Year, she asked for a recount.
Retelling this story at the opening on Thursday 28 November of the Behind The Lines exhibition at the Museum of Australian Democracy in Canberra, chair of the MOAD board, Barrie Cassidy said: “In this age of Donald Trump, that was really satisfying.”
Ms Herbert won the coveted title with her work Legislative Failings. Her work appears regularly in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Introducing Ms Herbert, Mr Cassidy said cartoons were not just for amusement, describing them as “a vital platform for social and political change”.
This year’s judges were journalist, educator and Yankunytjatjara and Wirangu woman Shelley Ware, cartoon academic Dr Lucien Leon, president of the Australian Cartoonists’ Association, Cathy Wilcox, MOAD’s Anne-Marie Conde and guest curator Matthew Jones from the National Library of Australia.
They described her work as “demonstrating a sophisticated range of visual techniques”, applauding “the even-handed way in which she connects with her audience”.
Speaking at the exhibition opening, Ms Herbert said she felt very grateful to have the newspaper platform for her cartoons for issues that “feel important to me”.
“I don’t take something like this for granted,” she said. “It is a huge privilege for me.
“If this award means that some of my ideas are connecting with people, that’s what I want to do.
“The imposter syndrome is real,” she laughed, adding that “perhaps I should see a therapist … but I really am overwhelmed and incredibly grateful.”
Much of the gratitude, she said, went to award-winning cartoonist Cathy Wilcox for “kindly opening the door and putting my work in front of the powers that be.
“Her incredible, generous action has set me on this path.”
MOAD director Stephanie Bull likened Behind the Lines to the big event of a sporting season – “It remains a perennial favourite that crowds flock back to year after year.
Megan Herbert’s cartoon earned her the 2024 Political Cartoonist of the Year title and pride of place in the Behind The Lines exhibition at MOAD. Photo: Megan Herbert.
“As the community comes together to enjoy this year’s Behind The Lines, our hope is that visitors leave MOAD with a greater understanding that every person has a role in, and can contribute to, our democracy.”
Special guest at the opening of the exhibition, political satirist and broadcaster Sammy J, was introduced by Mr Cassidy who said his most impressive claim to fame was to beat radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands in the ratings.
“For that, ” Mr Cassidy said, “we thank you for your service.”
After looking through the exhibition, Sammy J said it was now clear why no politicians were present at the opening, nor were they likely to visit during its 12-month run.
“That’s because there is only one thing worse for a politician in a photograph than a giant exit sign, and that’s a sign saying ‘no guts’, or indeed, ‘no glory’.”
(No Guts, No Glory is the theme for this year’s exhibition.)
Behind The Lines 2024: No Guts, No Glory is now open at the Museum of Australian Democracy, Canberra. The free exhibition is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, except Christmas Day. It will run until November 2025.
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