Walls up at Slim Centre

25th June 2010

Media Release Courtesy of Macleay Argus

The Slim Dusty Centre took a major step forward this week with the first external walls being placed on site.

Initial clearing of the site began last year and the piers and footings were placed in February and March.

Local building contractors Lahey Constructions expect all of the walls to be up by the end of this month, and then the roof framing will be attached.

Completion of the Centre to lock-up stage is expected by the end of the year.

The internal fit-out of the Centre will then start, with the memorabilia collected by Slim throughout his lifetime being installed for exhibition.

Slim Dusty Foundation CEO Kathryn Yarnold said she was delighted with the progress of the construction from a dream to reality.

"So many people have contributed to enabling the Centre to reach this milestone and there is still so much to do," she said. "Once the construction phase has been completed our Curators and 3D Designers can move into a dust free environment to install the exhibitions and assemble the collection to provide a fitting memorial to Slim."

Ms Yarnold said the Centre aimed to develop internal displays to showcase the life of Slim Dusty and the values Slim held as he travelled the land singing about his country.

"Exhibits in the Centre will make full use of innovative technology, with one of our main aims being to provide an exciting and informative contemporary visitor experience'" she said. "The detailed process of design and development of these displays is already underway."

The Centre will be close to the highway interchange of the new Kempsey bypass. It will provide a drawcard for travellers to stop and entice them into Kempsey.

(L-R) Slim Dusty Foundation Director Steve Read, Slim Dusty Foundation Deputy Chair David Kirkpatrick, Slim Dusty Foundation CEO Kathryn Yarnold and Bill Maley of Lahey's Constructions

 
For information regarding the Slim Dusty Foundation and its aims, please contact
Kathryn Yarnold, CEO on (02) 6562 6533
Or Phone 1800 18 SLIM, or visit the website at www.slimdustycentre.com.au