Now that the Slim Dusty Centre building has taken on it’s final shape and the interior exhibition is planned to soon begin , the local North Coast community have really stepped up their level of support for this exciting new local community project . Local Businesses  are increasingly donating their much needed time, produce and  services to the latest stage of the Centre’s development. The Macksville, Kempsey and Port Macquarie business sector are fully realising the potential flow on benefits that this iconic new Centre will bring to their businesses and communities…and they accordingly have really rallied behind it.

“I think visually, the completion of the building has had a real and major impact on people”….said Kathryn Yarnold  (Interim CEO and Business Development Mgr of the Slim Dusty Foundation).“After years of anticipation, people can actually see something tangible, and the excitement is growing. People driving by have been watching the steady completion of the building and the landscaping now starting to take shape especially now with the surprise appearance of the 40 ft Comet windmill, the Centre is now the talk of the town”. Ms Yarnold expressed the importance of the local support received thus far…..“We could not have come this far without donors , the fans and supporters. This is a community project, proudly owned by the locals. The Centre can only succeed with the support of the community”.

To our following local community supporters thankyou…

The newly erected landmark windmill was donated & erected by Darren & Melissa Fitzgerald and Lyle Spalding from Comet Windmills in Macksville. “ We are proud to be associated with the team at the Slim Dusty Centre. The Comet Windmill and Slim Dusty are both iconic Australians - both symbols of the Australian outback in their own right.  We wish the Centre every success in keeping the Slim Dusty tradition and his stories alive.”… Melissa Fitzgerald / Comet.

The Edwards family (Bevan,Janne & Doug) of the Valley Garden Centre who donated all labour for the landscaping agree"A great project and we see this as our contribution to the local area and to encourage local tourism, bringing people into the town after the bypass .. something to be supported for Kempsey's future. We felt privileged to be involved".. Janne Edwards / Valley Garden Centre.

In addition tothe landscaping work,  all the rockery work was donated by Midcoast Riverstone’s Mark Roach and Bruce Penson with the assistance of Plant Manager, Col Ibbotson. Colin Thomas from the Hastings, has added something special to the Centre landscape with his massive Grass Tree gift which takes pride of place along with the special Slim Dusty Rose bushes (from Lansdale Roses).

Doug Cheetham from Wrights Chartered Accountants donated his time to conduct an Audit. Doug said "The team here at Wrights has been working within this community for decades, and we believe that the Slim Dusty Centre is a wonderful thing for the region. We are happy to support community organisations & proud to give back to our town".

Book keeping services are being provided by Belinda Fowler of Compu-Account Consultancy, who is a popular and regular visitor to the offices, now located at the Centre. Looking forward to the long awaited opening, Belinda said… “I’m really proud to be able to help out the Foundation, and being able to work in the building even before the fit-out, you can clearly see what a fantastic facility it’s going to be.”

Michael Reid of Clybucca Earthmoving Pty Ltd who donated a very substantial amount of plant hire echoed the local business supporters …he said “I believe it is good for the valley, and I believe that in business if you are doing alright you should put something back into the community,” .

Wayne Donaldson is to provide  professional security patrols and responses as his special donation to the Centre.Wayne said "I've been doing security in the area for 13 years. I ran Bobby Fulton's pubs out West before moving to Kempsey and starting Macleay A1 Security Operatives. I'm proud to be involved with the centre. I grew up with Slim Dusty and he is my idol. Now I can give something back to him".

The Certificate of Practical Completion was issued in March, followed by the Interim Occupancy Certificate in June. The Foundation offices have now relocated to the Centre building. The exhibition’s massive Design Documentation Stage is also now complete, with the Board of Directors formally approving the extensive Documentation Report at their Directors’ Meeting in Sydney last Friday. Freeman Ryan Design estimates at least 6 months for construction and installation of the exhibitions. A full opening is anticipated late 2012 ; please watch the website for details.