Frankston Hospital concierge Duck Cameron has been entertaining audiences around the world for more than 30 years.
Before becoming one of the smiling faces to greet our patients as they arrive at hospital, this concierge was a globe-trotting magician.
Duck Cameron, who joined Peninsula Health last year when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, has been wowing audiences with his awe-inspiring illusionary skill.
“I was living in London as a child at the beginning of the 1970’s and at the time magic shows were huge on television,” recalls Duck.
“My parents noticed my interest and they started buying me small magic tricks for children.”
Upon our return to Australia my mother found a magic club which had weekend classes for kids – I was bitten by the bug!”
Duck quickly turned his childhood hobby into a career and turned professional not long after finishing school. At just 18 years of age, he was honoured his first standing ovation, in front of a Los Angeles audience.
Duck steps into the spotlight as he closes a performance.
“Since leaving school and turning professional, magic has given me wonderful experiences – I have travelled the world many times over performing in hotels and on board the world’s most luxurious cruise ships,” says Duck, who goes by the stage name ‘The Conjuror’.
“I have had the honour of winning Australian Stage Magician and Most Entertaining Act – Macau, as well as performing privately for movie stars, rock stars and even royalty.”
“A memorable regret is saying no to a blind date a friend was trying to set up with a young aspiring actress that had seen my performance, to discover, years later, that it was Angelina Jolie!”
With some of his work on hold due to the pandemic and the restrictions around international borders, Duck is enjoying a chance to step out of the spotlight and help the community.
“Having the opportunity of this position has humbled me,” he says.
“Entertainers can be little selfish and spoilt at times, so working with the public in different and sometimes stressful situations has been really good for me.”
“It has brought out the compassion and patience in me that I have sometimes forgotten in the past. I hope in some small way I am helping those that come through our doors, whether it may be with a smile, a laugh or just the reassurance that all will be OK.”
Duck proudly helping a patient inside Outpatients at Frankston Hospital.