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| New sign welcomes visitors to Slim Dusty’s Nulla home | ||||
| Wednesday, September 22nd, 2004 | ||||
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| The recent sad passing of Slim Dusty, the father of Australian country music, sees interest in the man and his music remain as great, if not greater than ever. | ||||
| This is reflected by the continuing stream of visitors to Homewood , Slim's boyhood home, at Nulla Nulla some 60km northwest of Kempsey. | ||||
They are welcomed by a beautiful new sign erected in his memory. A button on it allows them to hear Slim's voice talking about the farm and singing the classic When The Rain Tumbles Down In July. |
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| This famous song, still extremely popular, represented the first step in a distinguished career that saw him honoured with the Order of Australia and an MBE, along with 38 Golden Guitar Awards and countless others. | ||||
It is no surprise that Slim Dusty continues to be loved and revered nationwide — because Slim was as Australian as they come — from his famed Akubra hat to his RM Williams boots. |
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His honest songs carried on the tradition of Lawson and Paterson, depicting the real Australia and were filled with insights and dry Aussie humour. |
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Joy McKean and Slim's family continue to find comfort in the Australia-wide outpouring of support and affection of countless people from all walks of life, country and city. |
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As Joy says, ‘To us he was husband, father and grandfather and it came as a gentle shock to realise that he was regarded as an Australian icon — and that to many thousands he represents the Australia and the Australians that we feel in our hearts we take pride in. |
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‘Slim never forgot that he came from the Nulla. I think he would be overwhelmed to see the support and recognition that the local area is giving the Slim Dusty Foundation and to know that his home district is getting behind a venture that he always thought would be a benefit to the Macleay.' |
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The home and its new sign are already having a significant impact on visitors. The reaction of Jim and Lois Hyland from Victoria is typical. |
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| ‘My wife burst into tears upon pressing the button,' said Mr Hyland. | ||||
‘We were absolutely thrilled to hear Slim's voice and description of the old homestead and I'd recommend that anyone who has an interest and respect for Slim Dusty to visit the old homestead.' |
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| Chairman of the Slim Dusty Foundation, Doug Thompson, paid tribute to the organizations that had been involved in the original acknowledgement of the Nulla property via a sign unveiled by Slim's daughter, Anne Kirkpatrick, during Kempsey Country Music Heritage Week, in 1992. | ||||
‘Kempsey has always been extra proud to call Slim Dusty one of their own – and it shows in how very strongly they have all supported the Foundation,' he said. |
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| General Manager of the Slim Dusty Foundation, Kathryn Yarnold, said that the introduction of the musical sign at Nulla, was an important addition to the Slim Dusty experience in Kempsey. | ||||
| ‘The historical value of the memorial sign is very significant, but the power of the ambience of standing in the Nulla, and hearing Slim's voice and the music of When The Rain Tumbles Down in July echo around those hills, is a very emotional experience. | ||||
| ‘The tourists who are already making the pilgrimage to Slim Dusty Country will be sure to return home and speak about it over and over again to their family and friends.' | ||||
| The sign was erected with the generous support of the Department of Environment and Heritage under its Commemoration of Historical Events and Famous Persons Program 2003-4. The Slim Dusty Foundation thanks them for their caring support through all stages of the project. | ||||
| More information about Slim Dusty's Nulla Nulla family home is on the Foundation's website at www.slimdustycentre.com.au | ||||
Press Release courtesy of Mr Andy Oates |
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