General News
27 January, 2025
Newest addition to Nick Cave memorabilia
Passionate Scottish Nick Cave fan, William McNicol from Glasgow, returned to Warracknabeal and this time he brought back something special.
Mr McNicol swore he would never visit Australia, but with his wife on a temporary visa teaching in New South Wales, he travels back and fourth, making the most of his time.
"I always said, if I were to come to Australia, I only wanted to visit Warracknabeal and Wangaratta because of Nick Cave," he said.
In November last year, Mr McNicol attended his fourth Nick Cave concert in Cardiff, United Kingdom, where he was lucky enough to get a Warracknabeal tea towel signed by the star.
Mr McNicol has seen Nick Cave perform in concert in Glasgow, Paris, Cardiff and Birmingham and has also had books signed by him in the past.
"If you hang around the stage door long enough, you'll see him," he said.
"It was exciting for him to sign the my tea towel."
Now, Mr McNicol has donated the signed piece of merchandise to Warracknabeal's Tourist Information Centre for all to see.
Mr McNicol's love for Nick Cave and his music dates back to 2017 when he saw 'One more time with feeling', a documentary that follows Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds during the final recording of their album 'Skeleton Tree'.
It also includes the grief and personal struggles Mr Cave faced after the accidental death of his 15-year-old son Arthur in July 2015.
"It just happened to be the movie I went and saw that day," he said.
And ever since then, he can't stop speaking highly of Mr Cave.
"He's the greatest Australian alive, in my opinion," Mr McNicol said.
"He's so gracious and makes time to see his fans."
Other than staying in town, Mr McNicol toured around the region visiting Sea Lake, Lake Tyrell and most importantly the Murtoa Stick Shed which was a bucket list item.
"It, (the Stick Shed) did not disappoint either," he said.