William wanders through stories of fatherhood, from growing up in Queensland in the 1970s, to raising his own children as a single dad (R)

William is one of Australia's best-known storytellers and actors.

As his children became adults, he began to reflect on what it means to be a father.

William’s dad was a gregarious character, a veteran of World War II, who ran a hire business in Queensland.

Despite the many colourful names his father coined for him, William remembers his dad as a very loving father, even when he, William, might have been 'a boofhead'.

William's been thinking about the memories he's creating in the minds of of his own kids, particularly after the death of his wife some years ago.

Further information

Original broadcast 31 July 2018

Fatherhood: Stories about being a dad is published by Hachette

Listen to Richard's conversation with William McInnes from 2017 on life after the death of his wife, Sarah Watt

To binge even more great episodes of the ‘Conversations podcast’ with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.