Contract to start on Slim Centre

Above: Historic signing Phil Lahey, Joy McKean OAM, Anne Kirkpatrick and Slim Dusty Foundation Project Director John Kent.

Construction of the Slim Dusty Centre is to start immediately after a contact was signed at the Slim Dusty Country Music Memories concert at Warwick Park Racecourse on Saturday, October 31.

Phil Lahey from Lahey Constructions signed the contract on top of Slim's daughter Anne Kirkpatrick's guitar case, while Slim's widow Joy looked on.

"How country is that!" said Centre manager Kathryn Yarnold.

Ms Yarnold said the project was now fully funded and would open for business as planned at the end of 2010.

"Maxine McKew, who is the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, was at the concert to announce the awarding of $6 million of Federal Funding, so we are all set."

Ms Yarnold said fundraising would continue to ensure the exhibits at the Centre are world class and the visitor experience is as enjoyable as possible.

More than 700 people attended the concert on Saturday evening, which was a great success. More than $7000 was raised by the auction alone, with much more to come once the final figures are calculated.

Ms Yarnold also announced the establishment of the Slim Dusty Community Mateship Awards. "We wanted something to promote the Centre that wasn't just a copy of other awards like the Golden Guitar for example," she said. "So, we thought that an award that promoted the values Slim was famous for; family, community and mateship would be ideal. The inaugural recipients are Stephen Keir Snr and Kempsey former councillor and sporting identity Brian Sowter."

This years concert was a great success with next year seeing the introduction of an exciting new format. (see more photos at the bottom of this page)

2010 will see the introduction of the

'SLIM DUSTY COUNTRY MUSIC MEMORIES WEEK'

from Monday October 25 to Sunday October 31 at the Kempsey Showgrounds.

The Showground now has major upgraded facilities with powered and unpowered sites for caravans, motorhomes and campers available.

A Preliminary program for the 2010 week long event will be:

Thursday 28th: Walk Up Artists. BBQ tea

Friday 29th: Breakfast with Walk Up Poets, an additional program for Walk Up Artists ( 2 songs, 1 song must have been recorded by Slim Dusty with the same song only allowed twice)

Saturday 30th: Invited artists on main stage. 'Slim Dusty Country Music Memories concert'

Sunday 31st: Bush Poets breakfast, gospel songs by invited artists.

Photos from this years concert:

ABOVE: Joy McKean OAM responding to the official announcement from the Hon Maxine McKew MP for funding of $6 million by the Federal Government with compere Gary O'Callaghan. RIGHT: The Hon Maxine McKew congratulating Phil Lahey of Lahey Constructions Pty Ltd as the successful tenderer for construction of the Slim Dusty Centre.

ABOVE: Brian Sowter accepting his Slim Dusty Community Mateship Award from Joy McKean OAM. CENTRE: Wendy Keir accepting the Slim Dusty Community Mateship Award on behalf of her husband, Stephen Keir Snr. RIGHT: the legendary Travelling Country Band entertaining the crowds at this years concert.

ABOVE: David and Anne Kirkpatrick showing the talent that runs in the 'Dusty Family'.

STORY AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MACLEAY ARGUS, TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3, 2009