Country stores Slim's sounds

Above: Anne Kirkpatrick daughter of Slim Dusty, Kathryn Yarnold Slim Dusty Foundation General Manager, Arts Minister Peter Garrett and National Film and Sound Archives CEO Darryl McIntyre.

Slim Dusty's songs will be collected, stored and preserved thanks to the National Film and Sound Archives (NFSA).

The NFSA of Australia is a public registry of recordings that celebrates the unique and diverse culture and history of recorded sound in Australia.

Slim Dusty Foundation General Manager Kathryn Yarnold travelled to Canberra with Slim's daughter Anne Kirkpatrick last month for the 2009 announcements.

The register was launched in 2007 with a foundation list of 10 sounds which included Slim's Pub with No Beer. This year, Slim's When the Rain Tumbles Down in July received a nomination, but was not successful in gaining entry.

Ms Yarnold said the night was an excellent opportunity to update Federal Arts Minister Peter Garrett on the progress of the Centre.

"We discussed the progress of the Slim Dusty Centre project, with building due to start at the end of October," Ms Yarnold said. "The Minister was very well briefed on the project, and obviously has a close interest in his capacity as Minister of the Arts."

Each year the public nominates recordings which are culturally, historically or aesthetically important and reflect Australian life.

"Knowing that Pub with No Beer is on the register is very special and signifcant in that a Slim Dusty song was acknowledged as a true Australian sound," Ms Yarnold said.

"It would have been incredible to see Slim be noted twice in two years, but Slim has certainly achieved beyond expectation before."

STORY AND PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MACLEAY ARGUS, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2009