MAJOR TRIBUTE CELEBRATION RAISES OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE SLIM DUSTY FOUNDATION!
31st March, 2005
The Slim Dusty Foundation Ltd is very proud to announce over $500,000 in donations, was received by the Foundation at a very special event in Sydney, last Wednesday.

The recent celebration in the Jubilee Room at Parliament House in Sydney honouring the hugely successful triple-platinum ‘Tribute to Slim Concert' DVD also served to thank the country music industry and other supporters of the Slim Dusty Foundation.

Joy McKean paid special tribute to the generosity of the entire country music fraternity and industry for donating their time, talents and royalties to make the ‘Concert for Slim' tribute DVD such a profitable fundraiser for the Slim Dusty Centre.
‘Everyone involved in the planning and staging of the concert contributed by providing goods and labour for nothing or below cost.
‘The artists donated their performances and recording royalties; writers donated their copyright royalties — and EMI waived all profit from the production and sale of the DVD.' said Joy.

‘So many artists pay tribute to the way Slim opened doors for them, and they have made very clear their respect and affection for him. I cannot thank them enough.'

All proceeds from the DVD — over $420,000 — were presented by Mr John O'Donnell, Managing Director of EMI Music Australia, to the Foundation's Chairman, Mr Doug Thompson and Deputy Chair, Joy McKean OAM, along with generous donations from Ray Hadley, John Singleton, Gerry Harvey, Alan Jones, Akubra Hats and others.
The Akubra cheque was presented by country star Lee Kernaghan. Stephen Keir (Jnr) of Akubra paid tribute to Slim Dusty, saying:

‘Slim was well known for his country music and paved the way for up and coming musicians to be heard on the national stage.

‘Country music has come ahead in leaps and bounds over the years and Slim has been a big part of this.

‘We are honoured and excited to be part of such a big project — which will showcase the life of Slim and his family — for which we should all be very proud.

‘Slim had a long association with Akubra and we are thrilled to be part of the Slim Dusty legend.'
Ray Hadley OAM urged immediate and ongoing support, saying ‘I would like to encourage everyone, and it doesn't matter whether it's $50, $500 pr $5000 — whatever you can afford — would be most welcome; we urgently need to fund this living tribute to one of the greatest legends we have had in Australian country music and Australian life.'

Dick Smith paid a special tribute to Slim: ‘He has always been a hero of mine and it's fantastic to see his life and work will live on. I listen to Slim's music often and every time I hear his voice, I feel honoured to be a Patron of the Slim Dusty Foundation.'

The Foundation's Chairman, Doug Thompson made his feelings very clear: ‘It would be un-Australian not to put your full support behind the Slim Dusty Centre.'

The celebration event was attended by a large number of high profile people.

In addition to those already quoted, others included The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP, The Hon Sandra Nori MP, The Hon Andrew Stoner MP, Joy McKean OAM, Anne Kirkpatrick, Dr David Kirkpatrick, John Singleton, John O'Donnell (Managing Director EMI), Cr Janet Hayes — Mayor of Kempsey, shire representatives from Kempsey plus representatives from the country music industry and major corporations.

The large attendance was applauded by the Foundation's General Manager, Kathryn Yarnold: ‘We had a terrific turnout of representatives from Kempsey, the country music industry, federal, state and local government and corporate Australia.

‘It was fantastic to see such a united groundswell of support at Parliament House for a local project! The Slim Dusty centre will put Kempsey on the national map.'

The Slim Dusty Foundation has also received strong support from the NSW Nationals. Their leader, Andrew Stoner, recently announced that, if elected, a National/Liberal Coalition Government would provide $1.5 million towards funding.
‘The NSW Nationals and Liberals fully support the establishment of the proposed Slim Dusty Centre — a facility which will do much to promote the Australian music industry, encourage regional tourism and provide much-needed jobs in the Macleay Valley.

‘It will be an iconic drawcard to the Kempsey region. This is a very important project that deserves support.'
 
Photos courtesy of
JOHN ELLIOTT PHOTOGRAPHY
Further information:
The Slim Dusty Foundation  

Kathryn Yarnold
General Manager
18 Kemp Street, West Kempsey.
PO Box 70, Kempsey NSW 2440
Phone: 02 6562 6533
Fax: 02 6562 1849
Email: slimdustycentre@midcoast.com.au
Website: www.slimdustycentre.com.au

 
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