American comedian George Ward introduced his quaint Dutchman, Little Hermie Shultz, to Australian audiences in 1921, while touring the Fullers' circuit with the American Revue Company. Although Ward had presented Hermie in America prior to coming to Australia, he developed the character for Australian audiences through the 1920s, largely in association in partnership with Charles L. Sherman and Bert Le Blanc. The character's popularity was such that it became infused with Ward's own professional persona and remained a part of his billing until the end of his career. In the 1940s, for example, he presented his own radio show in Hobart as "Uncle Hermie."
