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FINAL BOOKING PROGRAM NOW
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
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Celebrate Slim Dusty Day
What’s your favourite memory of Slim Dusty? Do you have a photo that was taken with him? Where were you when you first heard Slim singing on the radio or saw him perform live?
The 13th of June is Slim’s birthday, and in 2012 the Slim Dusty Foundation will mark this day as the inaugural Slim Dusty Day - a celebration of the life and times of Slim Dusty. Members of the public are invited to openly share a special memory of Slim, or the influence he may have had on their life or that of a family member. Memories are to be submitted in the form of a photo accompanied by a written recollection, or simply write a brief letter or email. School children and students may wish to design a poster that portrays the impact Slim Dusty has had on their life.
Selected submissions will be displayed at the Centre for media publication, and promotion through the Slim Dusty Centre website. A small group of lucky people who send in their memoirs will receive a special invitation to the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey, NSW, on Slim Dusty Day, to meet with members of the Slim Dusty Family and Foundation Team, and talk about their recollections with media representatives who will be on site for the occasion.
Mr Kingsley Mundey who lived in a small western Queensland town called Julia Creek, vividly remembers a night in the early 1960’s when Slim, Joy and family arrived with their crew in bondwood caravans, and set up in the Julia Creek Town Hall.
“In those days the road between Townsville and Mount Isa was all dirt and no one in their right mind travelled them unless you had to, and certainly Slim and the family were the only entertainers who ever came to Town” he said from his Sydney office today.
“Slim was a true legend of the outback because he was the only one who cared enough to cross the rough outback roads to entertain the people. He couldn’t have done it for the money – there had to have been a higher ideal because he’d never get rich in the bush but everyone, man woman and child had a Slim record to play on the radiogram. People came from far and wide to see them play. Family is real important in the outback so to have a family of entertainers come to us folks in a little outback town was a big thing – that’s how they developed respect and a massive following. They understood us and were part of us and their songs talked about our way of life. In the bush we grew up with Slim Dusty, Bushells Tea and Condensed Milk – what more could you want!” Kingsley added.
CEO of the Slim Dusty Foundation, Kathryn Yarnold said that it was important to maintain the legend of “The Man Who Is Australia”. “Slim sang about everyday people, bush yarns and our outback culture, clearly relating to the ordinary Aussie in a humble way that won him the admiration of a nation. His stories at that place and time, are quickly becoming recollections of our past with a strong historical value, and must be preserved.”
Submissions must be posted to the Slim Dusty Foundation, PO Box 70, Kempsey, NSW, 2440, or by email to kathryn.yarnold@slimdustycentre.com.au by Friday the 1st of June, 2012. Please only send copies of photos, as photos and submission documents unfortunately cannot be returned. Enquiries please phone (02) 6562 6533 or Freecall 1800 18SLIM.
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OPENING OF CENTRE UPDATE
The Slim Dusty Centre exterior building is nearly complete, construction and installation of the internal exhibitions is now underway. The estimated timeframe for this stage of the internal fitout, along with enhanced funding opportunities in 2011, will direct the likelihood of an opening date to be announced for 2012.
 
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SLIM DUSTY CENTRE |
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Just as Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson took the Australian bush to the world so too did Slim Dusty. |
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During his 60 years on the road entertaining Australians everywhere, Slim Dusty took the culture of the Australian bush to ordinary people through his unique style of Country Music. |
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Slim Dusty dreamt of a centre where the memorabilia collected all over Australia during his long and illustrious career could be shown, and where visitors would be involved in an interactive journey through the heart and soul of Australia. |
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To build the Slim Dusty Centre, we need your help. |
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Fittingly, The Slim Dusty Centre will be built in Kempsey, NSW, Slim’s home town. |
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Your tax deductible donations, big or small, will make Slim’s dream a reality. |
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The centre will also develop scholarships to assist young talented musical artists to obtain the best possible start to their country music careers. |
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To make your tax deductible donation call the Slim Dusty Foundation on:
1800 18 SLIM
1800 18 7546 or Click here |
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 The Slim Dusty Centre project is an exciting initiative, which will be a fitting tribute to celebrate and commemorate Australian Icon and Country Music legend, Slim Dusty AO MBE, in his birthplace of Kempsey, New South Wales. The Slim Dusty Centre will be a world class centre, of national significance, depicting the life and achievements of Slim and the way in which his music has reflected the changing face of Australia. The first stage of the Slim Dusty Centre will be an exciting and innovative museum, café/dining area and museum shop. In November 2005, the Honourable Tony Kelly, MLC, Minister for Lands, made the exciting announcement of the new site for the Slim Dusty Centre, being 12.08 hectares of Crown Land on the Pacific Highway at South Kempsey.
This site has been enhanced by an additional 5 acres of land secured by the Foundation in January 2007, to provide optimum highway frontage and increased exposure for the Centre. Currently, the project has entered a very exciting phase. The new design on the fresh site has developed into an inspiring creation, that in itself, will become a National Icon.
From here, it is a relatively short journey to the famous Pub With No Beer at Taylor 's Arm, and as a package, these destinations will create an inspiring and fulfilling tourist experience.
Slim,
his wife Joy McKean OAM, and their family, have always been steadfast in their commitment
to the project, both personally and financially, with Slim being
intimately involved throughout the planning and approval process,
until his sad passing on the 19th of September, 2003, which
ultimately deeply affected the entire country, with waves of
condolences from throughout the nation and indeed, the world. |
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"Joy and I look forward to the eventual opening
of a venture that will showcase not just my music and my
life, but the role that Australian Country Music has played
in the culture of the North Coast of NSW, and indeed, Australia.
I believe too, that it will be of great benefit to the town
of Kempsey and the district of the Macleay Valley."
Slim
Dusty AO MBE - January 2003 |
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Establishment of the Slim Dusty
Centre will be a fulfillment of a long held, though
distant, dream. Slim and I have always wanted a
home for the memorabilia of a lifetime spent on
the road throughout the length and breadth of a
country we both love. We have always hoped, too,
for every person who hears our music to understand
the real Australia , and the Australians whose
lives we have tried to put into song. Hopefully,
the Slim Dusty Centre will provide an insight into
this Australia of ours; will be a centre of pride
to the Macleay Valley; will be a living example
of everything that makes this nation unique to
the world. A huge wish, but one that I believe
we can accomplish. I see it as a friendly celebration
of Slim’s long career, his wonderful music
and how our songs have constantly reflected the
changing face of urban and outback Australia. I
also see it as something embodying Slim’s
special, personal feelings for the Macleay Valley.
Joy McKean OAM
Songwriter & Performer
Chair Slim Dusty Foundation |
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New Billboards: Pacific Highway Kundabung and Bellimbopinni, proudly sponsored by Hot Graphics, Kempsey McDonalds and Sports & Outdoors |
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