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G'day friends and fans all over Australia and welcome again to our Bush Telegraph. Quite a lot has happened since we published the last Telegraph. We haven't done a lot of touring, but did do a short trip including shows at the refurbished Twin Towns Services Club [see story further on]. Tommy Cash and his guitarist performed as guest artists. They went very well and seemed nice enough blokes. We had an interesting trip after we left there and headed south through NSW. The old Carrington Hotel at Peak Hill is being restored, so we officially opened their pub with no beer! The local Aboriginal community gave me a didgeridoo and Joy, Anne and I all enjoyed looking over the building. It was a great success and well supported by the locals ­ from kids through to grandparents. It's great to see some of the old towns fighting back! This year has been very busy. You know of course that we have bought back the old Nulla farm and we're thinking of calling it 'Homewood Farm' or just 'Homewood'. I also bought Billy Kyle's property next door and so it is about 1500 acres in total. I still talk in acres and miles I'm afraid ­ I wonder why? I suppose when you're 104 you can be excused! Anyway, we've been up there camping ­ well Joy and I didn't camp, too cold by Nulla Creek in the winter! David and his family came and they're great campers with their tents and campfires, while Joy and I had our old caravan and wagon. There are some great drives through the forest, and if you follow some of the old timber roads right up to the top of the mountains you get a great view. It's a big property with a lot of work to be done to fix up the pastures. David has become very interested in the farm, so I think the whole family will be digging in and we'll certainly have some good times up there. Anyway, it's been an unusual year ­ not a lot of touring but more recording. The focus for us this year has been recording the new album. Anne has some singles, and of course we're doing some duets, but it will certainly be entirely different to the other duo album with some solid stories from me as well. We don't have a release date as yet. I must mention that the tracks I've recorded with Shorty will be on an album called 'The Men from Nulla Nulla', featuring the four newly recorded tracks. Look out for a release of that album later this month, together with 'West of Winton'. Well folks, thanks again for your support. It was great to meet a lot of friends and fans at the birthday party in Tamworth, with some wonderful music from the Crosby Sisters. The people from Australia Post came too ­ they've been great people to work with, but I have to say I still can't get used to seeing my face on stamps and envelopes!! Good luck, God bless and many happy campfires 'til our paths cross again. Your mate, Picture above: Slim and Joy at Nulla Creek, 'Homewood Farm', with Slim's childhood home in the background.

HERITAGE CENTRE PLANS PROGRESSING Planning for the proposed Slim Dusty Heritage Centre in Kempsey is going ahead with design being the next step in the project. Kempsey Shire Council has provided Project Manager Kathryn Yarnold with the use of office premises and furniture, assistance greatly appreciated by all involved. At an informal meeting in Kempsey on August 11, members of the Kempsey Shire Council and the Macleay Valley Community Projects Committee discussed progress of the project and ideas for launching major fundraising efforts early in 2002. With the Macleay Valley community and Kempsey residents so wholeheartedly behind it, there is no doubt the Slim Dusty Heritage Centre will become not just a dream but an accomplishment ­ an achievement and source of pride for the whole town and valley. Slim and Joy with artist Patsy Morton (second from left) and members of her family. Patsy was thrilled to finally meet Slim when he was in Kempsey recently. "I feel like I've known him for 50 years!" she said. "Slim Dusty taught our people how to speak English," Patsy said."Growing up all we listened to was his records!" Slim and Joy with members of Kempsey Shire Council and the Macleay Community Projects Committee and an original piece of textile art and embroidery by Cheryl Filby. A PUB WITH NO BEER! The Carrington Hotel in Peak Hill (near Dubbo on the Newell Highway) was gutted by fire several years ago and the licence sold out of town. To avoid having it bulldozed, the community rallied together, with the support of the Parkes Shire Council and the Heritage Council, and has been successful in having the pub refurbished to lock-up stage. It is their intention to make the building a museum showcasing the Aboriginal, mining and agricultural history of the local area. Slim, Joy and Anne called in on their way to Cowra and took time out from the tour so that Slim could officially open the Carrington. It is a magnificent old building with a big open verandah upstairs. The community turned out in force to welcome Slim, with performances from the local primary school children, the Aboriginal community and local bands. "THE PUB" ONE OF TOP 10 AUSSIE SONGS At the 75th anniversary APRA Songwriter Awards dinner on May 28, 'The Pub with No Beer' was declared number 5 in the list of the greatest Australian songs. Slim and the Travelling Country Band performed the hit along with Ross Wilson of Daddy Cool fame ('Eagle Rock' was number two on the list) and a host of others. Radio personality Bob Rogers, who was the first DJ to support the song and promote it on city radio announced the 'Pub's' position and was at Slim's table along with Jeanette Parsons (whose late husband Gordon wrote the song), Anne and husband Greg, and Slim's producer Rod Coe with his wife Jenny. The number one song was 'Friday on My Mind' by the Easybeats. Among the many fans to congratulate Slim was Billy Thorpe, who was very excited to meet Slim and Joy. Billy remembered performing as an 11-year-old on the show at the Brisbane Exhibition when Slim and Joy were travelling the showgrounds. TWIN TOWNS SHOWS Slim's first stint of touring for this year kicked off with a few nights at Twin Towns Services Club at Tweed Heads to officially open their newly refurbished auditorium. It features colourful and very comfortable new, tiered seating, which ensures every seat in the house has a great, unrestricted view of the stage. The Slim Dusty family show has notched up some 70 odd shows at the club, going back to 1981! Appearing on the show as special guest was Tommy Cash from America. Tommy and his guitarist Rick Buck were in Australia for the first time. Tommy was well-received although word has it that a loyal Slim fan was overheard to comment that he was "too American"! Tommy also included a medley of his brother Johnny's songs, and assured fans that Johnny was doing well at present although he does have ongoing health problems. Photo: Joy with Tommy Cash (right) and Rick Buck. SLIM & ANNE RECORD NEW ALBUM Since the beginning of the year Slim and Anne have been steadily collecting songs and are recording an album together. Unlike 'Two Singers ­ One Song', their last duet collaboration in 1989, this album will feature three solo tracks from Anne and several from Slim, as well as some duet tracks. Also look out for backing vocals from some of the grandchildren, plus three songs penned by Joy. The album should be released later this year or early 2002. Photo: Slim & Anne with Twin Towns' stage manager Paul Kelleners. Tamworth 'Hats off to the Pioneers' Weekend ­ June 21-24 SLIM'S BIRTHDAY BASH Slim, Joy, Anne and Heather joined about 200 of Slim's fans at Banjo's at the West Tamworth Leagues on June 23 to celebrate Slim's birthday (19th June). Everyone agreed that the lunchtime party during our mid-year festival will certainly become a regular event. All seemed to enjoy the great buffet ­ not to mention the cake! ­ and the wonderful singing of the Crosby Sisters, who were sensational at the "Hats off to the Pioneers" concert that evening. Heather was ably assisted as MC by Errol Smart who, along with his wife Margaret, had been helping Heather on the road with the merchandising side of things. There was also a great impromptu speech from 'Mr Hoedown' himself, John Minson, and it was great to see John and his wife Ann back in Tamworth for the Festival. Slim got a chance to catch up and have photos with lots of his loyal fans and looks forward to seeing you all next year. Slim would like to pass on a big thank you for the mountains of birthday cards he received! THE PIONEERS CONCERT They were all there ­ Smoky, Chad Morgan, Jimmy Little, the Webb Brothers, Geoff Mack, Arthur Blanch and a host of younger performers such as Pixie Jenkins, the Crosby Sisters, Lee and Tania Kernaghan and Anne Kirkpatrick ­ performing to a packed house in the Tamworth Town Hall on the Saturday night of the Festival. Slim, Heather and Joy were seated in the front row ­ what a turnabout! It was a magical night, with some unique performances of pioneer material by the younger performers and then the real thing, 'The Sheik of Scrubby Creek', 'Days of Old Khancoban', and many more gems performed by the originals. CLASSICS MEET COUNTRY Slim Dusty is one of Australia's 100 Living National Treasures, having been selected by public vote through the National Trust of Australia. On August 8, the National Trust staged a fundraising night at Sydney's Town Hall and asked Slim, Richard Tognetti and Roger Woodward (also Living National Treasures) to provide entertainment for the event compered by Kamahl. Many of you would know of Roger Woodward, the classical pianist known throughout the world as an expert exponent of the works of Chopin. Richard Tognetti is a gifted young violinist who leads the Australian Chamber Orchestra in Sydney. Slim couldn't help wondering how the mix of music styles would sound on the night, especially as the organisers had asked if he and Richard would perform some songs together! He needn't have worried. Mike Kerin, the fiddle player from the Travelling Country Band met up with Richard to run through the solo of 'Lights on the Hill' as they planned to play twin fiddles. That wasn't all they rehearsed, as it turned out. When Richard led his quintet of violins, cello and double bass players on to the stage for his performance, Slim and Joy saw the Fettler (Mike) lurking in the background. "What's Mike up to?" Slim asked. (We're never sure, you see.) When the quintet began a soft classical piece Richard began playing his violin and then Mike joined him playing a duet with him. The old Fettler did us proud. When it came to Slim's spot, all the black-tie audience really enjoyed themselves and couldn't believe their eyes when Richard came on stage to appear with Slim and the band. Richard and Mike really cut loose in 'Lights on the Hill' and then Slim went into the new version of 'Claypan Boogie' which brought the house down ­ and the audience on their feet in a standing ovation. It was a night to remember. The beautiful old Sydney Town Hall with its magnificent pipe organ towering over the stage, coloured lights moving over the organ pipes, and strings of lights from the ceilings to the walls made a picturesque setting. The Town Hall stage has seen many performers over its long life, including a country music concert back in the 1940s, but it would have been the first time the old hall has seen country and classical musicians join and make great music together. Pictured, from top: Slim and the band in fron of the magnificent organ pipes; Richard Tognetti, Mike Kerin, Rod Coe and Slim, on stage at the Town Hall; Mike Kerin (left) and Richard Tognetti, absorbed in their music. HOMEWOOD FARM As promised in the last Bush Telegraph, we've included some photos of the farm which Joy and Slim took on a recent visit back to Nulla Nulla Creek. Bruce Rossiter from the neighbouring property took Slim and Joy on a grand tour in his four wheel drive, getting some great views of the property. Slim said the place was looking magnificent after recent rain and it brought back memories visiting old Yellow Gully and to see Sugarloaf Mountain, both places having provided inspiration for his songs over the years. MOVING ON ... The March/April tour was another great success, with the show playing to full houses in nearly every town. Other visits along the way were made to the Mt St Josephs Nursing Home at Young, and Slim was the first entertainer to be photographed at the new Brolga Theatre at Maryborough. Photos Left: Slim and neighbour Bruce Rossiter in front of Slim's childhood home. Above: Slim's old house (centre) and Sugarloaf Mountain in the background.   Hello all! It is amazing how time goes by so quickly when you're having fun ­ we have been having a very busy time over these last couple of months! The highlight of it all was Slim's birthday party at Tamworth on the Festival weekend. We all met at the West Tamworth Leagues Club for a celebration luncheon and it was a great success. I was so pleased that quite a few of our Fan Club members were visiting Tamworth for the first time and had a marvellous time, taking in all the shows and enjoying great Australian country music. But back to the party. Slim and Joy both spent a lot of time talking to all their friends and having their photos taken (I haven't seen so many flashes going off for a long time!). And I cannot find the words to describe Slim's birthday cake (pictured) ­ it was absolutely wonderful, decorated with different motifs representing Slim's songs, and was one of the best I have tasted! Elizabeth Fenton travelled all the way from Longford, Tasmania to join us in Tamworth. Elizabeth had a wonderful time visiting all the venues and has promised to come back again next year. I was also glad to see Glen Haywood and his wife from Brisbane. They have been members of our club for such a long time but were never able to come to one of Slim's birthday parties before. There were so many of our friends there that I would like to mention, but I haven't the room. Thank you all for coming and making it such a successful birthday luncheon for Slim. We hope to see you all again next year. I am sorry to tell you that we are now out of the 'Looking Forward Looking Back' and 'The Legend Lives On' posters. There was a heavy demand so they didn't last long and there will not be any more printed. When we get another poster of Slim I will let you know and try to get a much larger supply next time. As Slim has mentioned, the next album is well on its way and should be released soon. I know you are all looking forward to it and believe me it will be a beauty! Slim, Anne and the boys have been working non-stop on it, trying to get it done before Slim sets out on tour again. If any members have a spare copy of the 'Walk A Country Mile' book please let me know as I have many other members who would like to obtain a copy. Also if you have any spare copies of the Vintage No. 2 LP Album, please let me know. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the new members to our Slim Dusty Fan Club. I do hope that you will keep in touch and let us know what is happening in your part of the country and when the Slim Dusty Show comes to your district come and say hello. Thanks once again for all your support for our one and only Slim Dusty and keep looking forward! Best wishes, Heather McKean Fan Club President Photo above: Slim with Lance Anderson (left) and Steve Pandel at his birthday party.

SLIM DUSTY FAN CLUB Are you a Slim Dusty fan, supporter or mate? For just $22, you can join the Slim Dusty Fan Club and receive: The quarterly Slim Dusty Bush Telegraph newsletter An autographed photo of Slim A membership certificate 10% discount on tickets for all Slim Dusty promoted concerts and merchandise To join, or renew your membership, simply send a cheque or money order for $22 to PO Box 1257 Lane Cove NSW 2066 Sydney Australia RETURN TO SLIM'S INDEX PAGE