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Rex Sinclair Steele
His Sleight of Hand may not be as agile as it once was, but Rex Sinclair Steel is an old dog who can teach young magicians some new tricks.
Ninety Five year old Rex from a suburb in Newcastle called Islington, is one of 1684 nonagenarians in the Hunter who still had much to show their younger colleagues.
In his trademark Egyptian fez, Rex Sinclair, or Uncle Rex as he is best known, has been fooling Novocastrians with his magic tricks for 7 decades
Rex left School at the age of 16 with his qualifying certificate and the aim of becoming a train driver.
His parents secured him a position as a Fitter and Turner. He did his time but the job was nothing like train driving, he once said
Rex first appeared on stage to help raise funds for the ambulance service, which was then a private group and did not receive government help. Rex's professional career as a magician began in 1927 at a Amusement Park in Newcastle
In the late 1920's Rex began work at Radio 2HD as a Ventriloquist. The station was looking for a Ventriloquist for a Children's program which ran once a week. It was so successful that they made it into a daily spot. 2HD gave him the 12pm - 1pm spot. Rex and Horace became very popular till the closure of 2HD during the 2nd World War.
Rex was one of the Founding Members of the Newcastle Society of Magicians of which during war time was unbanned. On his 60th Birthday there was a get together and it was then that the club was reformed and has been going strong for the past 35 years
For Magical purposes Rex has a small theatre erected in his back yard where he For almost 20 years Rex taught his magic skills for the Young Peoples Theatre
His teaching days have been rewarded with the knowledge that many of his former students still work as entertainers. Besides his own scrapbooks. Rex has followed the careers of many of his students through press clippings
Rex's long service to magic was recognized officially in June 1994 when he was special guest of honour in Sydney at the Annual Conference of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. A card carrying member of the fraternity since the 1920s
With the help of his wife and son Rex ran 4 shops during his time in and out of Radio. He had run 2 Novelty Shops and 2 mixed businesses within the Newcastle area at different times
Rex to me was a Mentor and a very good friend. Someone who would treat you with respect and was always there to brighten your day. Rex and I had been through so much and I thank him for taking the time in teaching me this wonderful art. If it wasn't for Rex I would not be where I am today
On the 7th of July 2000 Rex passed away at the age of 95 years old. He will be sadly missed by all. He has touched so many lives.