Geoff Hutchison met his fair share of grumps during his time as an ABC talkback radio host, and he became determined to not turn into one himself upon retirement.
His new book, How Not to Become a Grumpy Old Bugger, ponders what is it about ageing that tends to have this effect on Australian men, and what exactly can be done to tackle the phenomenon!
They are the unhappy husbands, the disengaged grandfathers and the angry ‘letters to the editor’ writers. They sneer at generational change, know exactly where that bloody apostrophe should go and gather in sad groups bemoaning the modern world.
They are the Grumpy Old Buggers, the misery-gutses, the cantankerous old codgers, the grouches, the Scrooges and Grinches. But how can we prevent ourselves from succumbing to these rather miserable urges?
In How Not to Become a Grumpy Old Bugger, Geoff not only mines his own experiences but also consults a wide range of experts and well-known personalities, including bestselling author Maggie Dent, philosopher Hugh Mackay and Fremantle Dockers captain Alex Pearce, to understand where grumpiness comes from and the problems facing older men.
From men’s mental, sexual and physical health, finances and plans for retirement to social media and influencers, loneliness, regrets and death, Geoff leaves no stone unturned on his quest to find contentment.
“When I was just a kid, I asked my dad if he was happy. His response, ‘no, not really’, formed part of my motivation for writing this book,” said Geoff. “As Dad drifted into his retirement years, he seemed fatigued and fed up and a bit lost.”
“In a fast-changing world, he became remote, withdrawn, and not much fun to be around. Grumpy. I don’t want to fall into the same trap, and I don’t want you to either.”
For fans of Richard Glover’s Best Wishes and You Don’t Have to Have a Dream by Tim Minchin, How Not to Become a Grumpy Old Bugger is a gentle reminder that grumbling doesn’t have to be a way of life, and a little self-care and curiosity goes a long way to enjoying the golden years!
In 2022, Geoff Hutchison hung up his headphones after a long career as an ABC broadcaster. Before that, he was a journalist on the 7.30 Report and a one-time Foreign Correspondent. Geoff is intensely curious and reckons he has barely worked a day in his life.
It has been one of great privilege: talking to people, witnessing extraordinary moments and coming to the understanding that the things we share are far more significant than those that divide us.
How Not to Become a Grumpy Old Bugger is published by Affirm Press and is available from all good book sellers including QBD Books.
Image: How Not to Become a Grumpy Old Bugger – courtesy of Affirm Press