HELP THE SLIM DUSTY FOUNDATION UNCOVER LOST TREASURES

It was the dream of the late Slim Dusty to build 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.

With the Slim Dusty Centre now finally under construction and an anticipated opening of December 2010, the call for assistance from the Australian public now goes out to seek specific items for the museum that will help to complete some of the stories of Slim Dusty’s life.

It is evident that many Australians hold the memory of Slim Dusty and the ‘Country Music Family’ of his era close to their hearts and may have memorabilia hidden away in their homes, or more than likely, on display in their homes.

The curator for the Slim Dusty Centre, Linda Raymond would like to invite Slim Dusty fans and their families to consider donating items of memorabilia as a part of one of the many significant displays within the Slim Dusty Centre.

“Since starting work on this project I have come to appreciate the deep affection held by Australians and overseas country fans for Slim, Joy and the whole Kirkpatrick family. I want to ensure that those fans have a chance to be involved in this important new national cultural centre, and to see their personal memories become part of Slim’s story” commented Linda.

The ‘Dusty’ family members have contributed their significant collection for display at the Slim Dusty Centre, material which has been gathered from over 50 years of traveling the length and breadth of Australia. Missing pieces of memorabilia and stories and photographs of Slim with truckies and Aussie folk to complement these displays will be a priceless addition.

An example of the items of interest to the Curator would include Western or ‘Tex Morton’ style clothing, young girl’s cowgirl outfits, jodhpurs, boots, belts, neckerchiefs or pipes etc from the 1940’s or 50’s. From this era Ms Raymond also has an interest in an EZ guitar tutor or any other guitar methods or, something every young boy would have possessed at the time, Tex Morton or Smoky Dawson comics.

Undoubtedly, any posters, tickets, programs or advertising material collected from Agricultural shows, rodeos or sideshows in which Slim and Joy are mentioned would be cherished as an exciting part of the museum displays.

During his lifetime, Slim Dusty developed a great affiliation with our ‘Truckies’ and to compliment the ‘Truckies Tribute to Slim’ Paver Program in the courtyard of the Slim Dusty Centre, the Curator is also calling on the many truckies who have memories, photos or memorabilia relating to Slim.

Ms Raymond will also welcome any pieces of dashboard decoration and truck artwork or relevant photographs that members of the public may be kind enough to donate to the Slim Dusty Centre.

If you have any items of interest that may be donated to the Slim Dusty Centre please email your contact details and stories with photographs attached to slimdustycentre@midcoast.com.au who will contact you for further detail.
Alternatively, please call (02) 6562 6533 or 1800 18 SLIM.