Legendary cartoonist William Ellis Green - WEG - dies

LEGENDARY cartoonist William Ellis Green died this morning, aged 85.

LEGENDARY cartoonist William Ellis Green died this morning, aged 85.

Known to most by his initials - WEG - his iconic footy premiership posters were a Grand Final tradition for more than 50 years.

The posters began in 1954 when Footscray won their first and only premiership.

Since then the famous posters, originally sold for two shillings by The Herald and later the Herald Sun, have raised more than $2 million for the Royal Children's Hospital.

So determined was WEG to contribute to the hospital appeal that he discharged himself from hospital two weeks before this year's Grand Final to make sure he could draw the posters.

Long-time friend and business partner Geoff Bridgeman said doctors told WEG he would not last more than a day if he left the hospital, but WEG wanted to draw the posters.

"There were two things he wanted to do, one was to draw the posters and the second was to get to the Herald Sun shop to do the signings the morning after the Grand Final," he said.

Mr Bridgeman said WEG was like a father to him.

"Everyone he has touched loved him," he said.

"He was very family oriented, he loved his family, his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

"I think he just wanted to see Christmas out, to see all the family."

WEG joined The Herald in 1946, filling in for political cartoonist Sammy Wells who was on six weeks leave, and spent 40 years at the paper.

But when he retired from the paper in 1986, he continued working as a caricaturist and illustrator with his work appearing in cricket books by Max Walker, on stamps and in children's books.

And of course the famous premiership posters continued.

So coveted is the memorabilia that one collector paid up to $5000 for Collingwood's 1958 premiership poster.

The Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal executive director Christine Unsworth said WEG's posters raised more than $2 million for the appeal.

"He was a wonderful supporter of the Good Friday Appeal for decades.

"His contribution has been magnificent."

Herald & Weekly Times managing director Peter Blunden paid tribute to WEG, saying the company was proud of its long association with the artist.

"Nothing is more synonymous with Melbourne and football than a WEG poster,'' said Mr Blunden.

"But WEG will be fondly remembered not only as an iconic artist but as a great Australian, generous and loyal."

WEG passed away this morning at his Heathmont home with his wife of 63 years, Joan, beside him.

- with Ian Royall