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| Specialising in... | |
| - Shopping Centres | |
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- Corporate functions |
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- Restaurants |
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- Theme parks |
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- Trade shows |
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- Conventions |
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His 45-year hairdressing career may have come to a close in 2000, but the 75-year-old continues to pursue his passion for magic.
The "King of Shopping Centres" has performed his linking rings routine with Lawrence Springborg, supported Johnny O'Keefe before an audience of thousands, and even entertained royalty.
But regardless of whether you book Joe for an elaborate function or a private party, the dedicated performer is guaranteed to get the same buzz.
"I'll get booked for a couple of hours, but I'll still be there an hour after, not wanting to stop," he says.
Joe first witnessed magic aged seven, while traveling on a boat to Ireland with this mother.
"The Egyptian galli-galli magicians created a big impression on me. There were tricks they did that I have never forgotten.
"To this day, I still do my own version of their world-famous Mango Tree Trick of India, during which they would make a real tree appear from just a seed placed in a bag of dirt."
Joe began experimenting with cards at the age of 10, aided by conmen friends of his bookmaker dad.
Growing up, he constantly wanted to show people his tricks.
As a 15-year-old hairdressing apprentice in Bundaberg, he started doing free shows for groups at the local hall. And despite owning his own Mt Isa barbershop at the age of 17, he never gave up practising magic.
Throughout his 16 years of residence in Alice
Springs, Joe continued to perform.
"You were always in demand when you were doing free shows," he says.
It wasn't until he moved back to his home town of Brisbane at the age of 38 that Joe turned professional
While juggling a barbershop at Coorparoo and his part-time passion, he met and married an Ipswich girl, Rene.
Joe moved from his Camp Hill home 26 years ago to her Silkstone residence, the same house the couple occupies today.
At the age of 50, Joe's workload began to take its toll and he started to feel run down and lethargic.
It was his son's suggestion to take up running that changed Joe's life.
"I initially couldn't run across the road! Now I run around 40 kilometres a week," he says.
And it was this training which led to his three gold medal wins at the Queensland Veteran Masters in March this year. Joe was scheduled to run in another event, but a magic booking came up.
Following on from his success at the state level, Joe won two silver and one bronze medal at the Australian Veteran Masters.
In addition to running six days a week, the powering magician also completes 500 push-ups a day
"I now get withdrawal symptoms if I don't run!"
With a tentative retirement date planned for his 85th birthday Joe has no intentions of giving up his magic yet.
"It all depends on your health and how you feel mentally "But my word, I would certainly miss it!"
So for now, Joe will continue to delight audiaudiences, opening every act with the same vanishing hanky trick he has performed since 1962.