Fitting farewell for cartoonist Cathy Wilcox who captured news with wit and intellect

Award-winning cartoonist Cathy Wilcox has been drawing cartoons for the Herald since 1989. For four days a week for almost a decade her illustrations have appeared at the top of the Letters pages.

Her last day was on August 28, with her Sydney colleagues paying tribute to her 37 years of capturing the daily news cycle with wit, humour and intellect. Wilcox said her goal was to always produce cartoons that were founded in truth.

“I love that cartooning combines so many of my interests: human nature, language, humour, drawing; and also that the subject matter changes all the time,” she said. “I love, too, that I’m given the freedom to fill that space on the letters page as I see fit. I admit, it took a while to get over the ‘impostor syndrome’, but having been trusted and allowed to grow in the job is one of the greatest privileges.”

During her career Wilcox has won four ely Awards as well as Kennedy and Stanley awards for her cartoons.

“My cartoon today [her final cartoon on the Letters page] was long and wordy, but was my shortest summation of a lifetime at the Herald . It has been the best career and the only place I ever wanted to work ... It’s been and a wonderful ride.”

I savoured Cathy Wilcox’s last cartoon with a sense of deep sadness and loss, but also immense gratitude ( Letters , August 28). Each morning I turn first to Cathy’s cartoon in my print edition of the Herald . Nothing encapsulates the old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” better than Cathy’s cartoons. She has always interpreted the news with her trademark fearlessness, intelligence and wit, never afraid to speak truth to power. No topic was out of bounds. Never cruel, often funny without being frivolous but always perceptive and thought-provoking. She has become part of the daily lives of Sydney Morning Herald readers for decades. She has made an outstanding contribution to Australian journalism and cartooning, and she will leave an enormous empty space. There will never be another Cathy Wilcox. She is peerless. Go well, dear Cathy, and enjoy the next chapter in your life. Geoff Turnbull, Ashfield

I am deeply saddened to read in her, as always, wonderful cartoon, that Cathy Wilcox is leaving the Herald . I have thoroughly enjoyed every single one for many, many years. Her cartoon of the day is the first item I look for when opening the paper. She really hits the nail on the head, but always with much consideration and thought to the topic at hand, and, when required, much understanding and compassion. Her awards over the years have been well-earned. I shall miss her very much, as I’m sure so many others will. I wish you every joy Cathy in whatever is ahead for you, but maybe you could consider publishing a book of your cartoons over the years. I’ll be first in line to buy it. Christine Helby, Forbes

I often tear up after reading Cathy Wilcox’s cartoons – sometimes from joy, sometimes from sadness and anger, and sometimes, inexplicably, from both. But her farewell cartoon had the tears welling up before I finished reading it, as I sensed where it was heading.