The latest stage of Kempsey’s Slim Dusty Centre has been strongly supported by local companies donating much needed services. Companies from Kempsey, Macksville and Port Macquarie have recognised the benefits that will flow to their communities from the attraction and have rallied behind it.

Interim CEO of the Slim Dusty Foundation Kathryn Yarnold said visually the completion of the building has had a major impact on people.
“Finally after years of anticipation people can actually see something tangible and the excitement is growing,” she said.
“We could not have come this far without donors and supporters.“This is a community project, proudly owned by locals. The centre can only succeed with the support of the community.”

One local business to support the centre has been Valley Garden Centre.The team of Bevan, Janne and Doug Edwards have donated a tremendous amount of labour for the landscaping.
“We see this as our contribution to the local area and to encourage the tourist trade into the town after the bypass,” Janne said.

Other businesses include Comet Windmills, Midcoast Riverstone, Wrights Chartered Accountants, Clybucca Earthmoving, Macleay A1 Security Operatives and Compu-account Consultancy.

The Foundation moved their offices into the Slim Dusty Centre last month and now awaits the start of the exhibition fit out.
“The full enhancement of the exhibition design is subject to the next round of federal funding,” Ms Yarnold said.
“We’re looking at the end of next year before tourists start viewing the centre but we already have organisations that are using the facility for meetings and networking sessions.”

The centre will be a living museum celebrating the life of Slim Dusty. Australia's most famous country singer who was born in the Macleay.
It will be close to the highway interchange of the new Kempsey bypass and will provide a drawcard for travellers to stop in Kempsey.