EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS!

With construction expected to start in the last quarter of this year, contributions of any size are more than welcome for the Slim Dusty Centre project.

That's why chair of the Slim Dusty Foundation, Joy McKean OAM, was delighted to receive a cheque totalling $7,500 earlier this month.

The money donated was the proceeds of the Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Concert. Bruce Woods presented the cheque on behalf of the Kempsey West Rotary Club, which has run the event for the past five years.

General Manager of the Slim Dusty Foundation, Kathryn Yarnold, said the event is becoming more popular every year as indicated by increasing patronage and the comments of those who attend.

"The Rotary Club of Kempsey West has now contributed more than $40,000 to the Slim Dusty Foundation from this exciting event," she said. "We even had people who came over from New Zealand especially to attend and this just shows the potential this event has."

The Country Music Memories concert was held at Warwick Park Racecourse in November and was again very well attended.

Once open, the Centre will house a museum and collection of Slim Dusty memorabilia collected by Slim and Joy during a lifetime on the road.

"I would like to make special mention of Bruce and Trish Woods, whose dedication to the event over the years has never failed." Mrs McKean said.

Pictured above: Rotary Club of Kempsey West members Bruce Woods and Kevin Farrawell, Joy McKean OAM chairperson Slim Dusty Foundation, Kathryn Yarnold, General Manager Slim Dusty Foundation, Kempsey Shire Councillor Jenny Sproule and Slim Dusty Foundation Office Administrator Melissa Killmore.