Tony Galati and nine-year-old Joshua Gonzalez.
Camera IconTony Galati and nine-year-old Joshua Gonzalez. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Spud King Tony Galati meets Attadale student who dressed up as him for book week

Kate LeaverMelville Gazette

WA’s ‘spud king’ Tony Galati was seeing double this morning when he met his ‘mini-me’ – nine-year old Joshua Gonzalez.

Mr Galati visited the Attadale Primary School student in class with a $1000 cheque to stock the library with new books.

Josh caused a State-wide stir when he dressed up as the spud king for national book week last week and wrote Mr Galati’s ‘biography’ as part of the costume.

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Mr Galati said along with the donation he would give the school some potato seeds to plant in the edible garden.

After dressing up as him for Book Week last week, Attadale Primary School student Joshua Gonzalez got the chance to meet Spud King Tony Galati in school today.

“(When I saw the story) I was amazed that a young kid decided to dress up as me – it was pretty cool,” he said.

“I think it’s really good to promote reading and books to kids because they are all on their iPads and computers now and there aren’t many books around, I can see my grandkids doing the same thing.

“I was quite impressed he went to all that trouble to write the book about me, he’s done really well.

“When they get the books I’ll come back and read to the class.”

Tony Galati and nine-year-old Joshua Gonzalez.
Camera IconTony Galati and nine-year-old Joshua Gonzalez. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Josh said it was exciting to have his 15 minutes of fame.

“All my friends were happy for me and shocked that I was on the radio and in the newspaper too,” he said.

Mr Galati said a job at Spud Shed would be waiting for Josh when he was 14.

Attadale Principal Scott Harris said while the events were “a little surreal” he was grateful for the donation.

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