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NEWSLETTER – BITS ‘N’ PIECES President: Secretary: Eric Scott 40th EDITION JUNE 2015 Evelyn Keane

We made it!! We met the deadline to open for the “Hats off” Festival on 2nd July. When you come to what used to be the Tamworth Information Centre, you will be invited to walk into our country music cave through these colourful doors.

Our small team worked hard to do justice to our new building. Gary and Kevin went to great lengths (and heights as you can see, below) to create the visions that the women in the team came up with, and the result is impressive.

All this is but part one of our new display. Our thoughts are already turning to the othermain display area that has been a work shop so far. Watch this space!

INTERNATIONAL BOOK WITH LOCALFLAVOUR.

Recently, Dr. Barrie Brennan, who is our liaison officer to the museum industry, contributed a chapter to a publication which deals with museum and archive enterprises just like ours. Barrie's report follows . . . .Routledge in New York have published a book called “Preserving Popular Music Heritage: Do-it-Yourself, Do-it-Together”,edited by the Griffith University academic Sarah Baker. The volume contains 21 Chapters and tellsthe stories of how DIY (Do it yourself) Museums all over the world are contributing to the preservation of what can be called popular music. Now that information and these terms may not meana great deal to readers but when it is added that the music discussed includes Australian Country Music and that a localmuseum has a full chapter devoted to its DIY work, then some readers may be interested to discover more. Chapter 19 is entitled “Australian Country Music Hall of Fame: a DIY museum and archive in Australia’s ‘Country Music Capital’”. So that establishes the organisation and its location. The story reveals how a group of locals with varying views about museums and music, and especially Australian Country Music, have over 20 years gathered together a Collection of artefacts and materials (such as records and instruments and costumes plus books and magazines and letters), recorded and stored these items and then presented select items in their museum display. Though with differing ideas and goals, they have together achieved success in that the ACMF Collection has been acknowledged as of international and national significance and the organisationhas been rated as meeting the varying

standards that are required of museums and their Collections.The Chapter, written by Dr Barrie Brennan indicates how the small group of enthusiastic volunteers meet and talk and work and have a laugh and then perhaps adisagreement but manage to keep the 'doors open' and the 'visitors coming through those doors'.Tamworth's story should be read by the locals and those with an interest in Country Music or Museums. But the otherstories from around the world (including other Australian stories) are also worth reading because they show how there are so many options for groups to make their museums 'work'. So the stories are about museums and music but they are also about people .. Aussies and others .. who have decided, having made their own decisions, to 'do it themselves'.Readers may be interested in seeing how the ACMHOF is progressing in its new location at the old Tamworth Visitor Information Centre.

...AND STILL THE COLLECTION GROWS.

For some time we have wanted to display items from singers and musicians whose careers have started long after those from

the pioneers. Curator Judy Loffel was particularly pleased to have a visit from Adam Harvey, who brought with him a large1.9M x 1M portrait of himself, painted by Jeffery Keilley from Geraldton in Western Australia in 2012 for entry into 2013 “The Archibald Prize”. This brings to seven the number of oil paintings cared for by our archive. We now have four oils by Pro Hart, a portrait of Johnny Ashcroft “The Baron” by Mary Pace for a Royal Easter Show, a portrait of Lionel Long by Gundars Englentals for the 1974 “Archibald” and now, Adam Harvey.

Lorraine Pfitzner takes delivery from Adam of the clothing worn during the “sittings” forthe painting, a pair of black medium height boots, the pair of jeans and the chequered western style shirt. These clothes were also worn on stage for two years after the painting was commissioned.

HISTORIC VIDEOS FROM QLDWe recently received five boxes of videos from Mr. Ivan Zillman, of Bundaberg, Queensland. These recordings were taken by Ivan of the local country music club overmany years. His passion for photography and the preservation of country music resulted in his donating these recordings to our collection. Ivan is not a well man, lives alone, and he needed help with the packing of the boxes, so we contacted the BundabergSalvation Army and spoke to a delightful young lady called Melissa Millard. Even though she was busy with the Army's work plus collecting her children from school etc. she immediately contacted Ivan; went around to his house; and in no time had organised the boxes ready for shipping. A wonderful woman! The help we received does not end there. The Tamworth road freight company, Tamex Transport, agreed to have their agent collect the videos from Ivan's house in Bundaberg and deliver them to Tamworth at no cost. Two most generousgestures to help the Country Music Hall of Fame with its preservation work. Our sincere thanks!

COLOURFUL, TO SAY THE LEAST!One of the most colourful donations in this past three months came from performance poet, colourful compere, singer/musician and author, Jim Haynes.A well known sight on stage in his four piece canary yellow suit, Jim decided it

could represent him in the museum and archive in the future. XERO designed in Australia, made in China from Micro Fibre, the size 44R yellow jacket is fully lined with satin, has 5 Green Stars and 3 music symbols of beads and sequins on the front. The shirt is an XL Pure Microfibre from the Ambassador Collection. The bright green bow tie makes Jim a living “green and gold” representative of Australia.

A joy to behold!!! <grin>Amber Lawrence's red stage dress also oneof our recent donations can be seen in the archive being prepared for exhibition, too.

WIDE RANGING CONTRIBUTIONClelia Adams was a serious part of the recording and performing life of Tamworth through the 1980s and 1990s - during the peak musical period of “Country Music Capital of Australia”.

Now living on the northern coast of NSW, in recent years she has carved out an appreciated place in Europe where her work is being recognised in the country music charts. Clelia has made a considerable contribution to our archives: artefacts, photographs, data and sound.Items include a current biography and musical history, a home made blue polka dot dress,worn on tours during 2008 and ather 2010 Hands of fame induction in Tamworth.

Don't you just love the red fabric rose fitted to the bottom of the V neckline? Very Clelia.The donation also includes an ornate gold and garnet necklace, that was handmade by Kathryn at Peek-A-Boo Jewellery in Bangalow, NSW, and was used for the "Bring It On" album photo shoot in 2001, Clelia's portrait, designed & painted by indigenous artist and author Dr. Pam Johnston (16/07/1947 – 21/02/2013) using diamante, pearls, lace and gold leaf. The picture was gifted to Clelia for her 60th birthday in 2010. Pam and Clelia were lifelong friends, often mistaken for sisters.The photographic and data archives received 13 pictures, and a copy of Clelia'sHands of Fame certificate, Northern Territory Country Song writer awards of 2008 and her European Country Music Association awards for 2010. Our sound archives were added to with the LP “AngelBand” recorded in 1983.

THE NEXT INSTALLMENT . . . .

Ian Crombie and his wife Lyn deliver the next consignment of memorabilia from thelate Bob Spence's estate to the Hall of Fame. Judy Loffel and Eric Scott happily add to the incoming pieces of Australian country music history for the volunteers toprocess.

VALEThe first months of this year have been very sad for Australian country music fans and enthusiasts with the death of the following country music people.Gavan Arden from Warragul, Victoria died on 15th April 2015 from a fall from which he did not recover. Gavan was due to meet up with Johnny Greenwood for a run of shows.Stu McKenzie, the lead singer of the Gunnedah Band, “Good Corn Liquor” waskilled in a two vehicle crash on Wednesday afternoon 22nd April 2015 at Rix’s Creek north of Singleton, NSW. Both drivers died at the scene.Nev (Gregory Neville) Parnell passed away after a long battle with cancer on 27th

April 2015 at Tamara Private Hospital, Tamworth aged 70 years.

A former Board Member of the Australian Country Music Foundation and a former long serving councillor with the then Tamworth City Council, John Green OAM,passed away on 9th May 2015 after a long illness. John was an early keen supporter of our museum and archive, and was the force behind Tamworth’s Sister City Program for which he served as Chairman for 19 years.The “Singing Milkman” Noel Parlane was born on 19th March, 1951 in the village of Roxburgh, New Zealand. In recent years, hehad been living and working in Brisbane, Queensland where he passed away from mesothelioma - the cancer most commonly associated with asbestos exposure - on Sunday February 6th 2015.The Australian Country Music Hall of Fameextends its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families and friends of our colleagues and long time contributors to the country music cause. They will be sorely missed. May they rest in peace.

THE EARLY DAYS OF COUNTRYWe have had great support from country music people from outside our volunteer work force. For example, now that we are in a much more modern building we have been able to mount displays outside of the normal “in display case” type of thing. One such project was to re-create a “sitting room” circa 1930/40/50, when many families - pre television - enjoyed their country music by listening to 78 rpm records and playing instruments themselves.The project involved sourcing a period

timber style flooring and carpet. In this picture you can see the piano of Buddy Williams first wife, Burnie Burnett; Smoky Dawson's “Dawson Chair “ which he designed for the use of older people who find getting out of soft chairs difficult; and amannequin holding the stage outfit of youngJacqueline Hall who made records in the mid 50s. On the authentically papered wall is a portrait of James Collins, the great grandfather of Berice Blanch, wife of Arthur.Noel Smith who assembles and finishes the Golden Guitars, made us the window (complete with glass) and drummer and professional photographer, Lou Farina gave us the view towards Gloucester .. a very large photograph .. and we had the curtains made especially. We couldn't have done it

without friends like these! That, of course, includes Tamworth Regional Council who created the part “walls” to create realism and the feel of looking into a room.

Here are Andy and Stewart from Council, hard at work.

AUSTRALIA'S ADOPTED SONWhy does Michael T. Wall refer to himselfas that? Well for the past 40 or so years, Michael has regularly included Australian songs – bush ballads no less – in his regular repertoire and on his CDs. Michael was born in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada. In 1961 he movedto Toronto, Ontario to pursue his dream, a career in music, and to promote his homeland to the rest of the World. He hasvisited country music circles in Australia three times, the major visit in 2006, and the most recent this year.During this visit to Tamworth Michael presented his much travelled Fender guitarto the museum, and it will take it's pride ofplace in the second display area we are developing this coming year.

A WAIT WELL WORTH ITFor over twelve months or so we have been waiting on a visit from Helen Harris from Ballarat in Victoria. Helen is the daughter of New Zealander Gil Harris whoattended Nelson college at the same time as young Robert Lane (Tex Morton) and played and sang in the same band for a while. He recorded 4 tracks in 1939 for Regal Zonophone and then left the music field for a more routine job outside of show business. The wait for Helen's visit was more than well worth it. She brought some priceless items in her father's suit case; a ukulele, some great family photos,

plaques, a valuable ring she had given her dad many years before his death, a cute little Christmas present to him in 1972 andmany more items from Gil's life. Perhaps most special to Helen was a framed presentation of Gil's army career with his W.W.II war medals.

To be entrusted with these personal priceless objects is another very special honour for the museum.In so many cases, pioneer entertainers passon, and despite well meaning and loving families, the pieces of their lives become dispersed and eventually lost like memories.

In the archive, Helen Harris gives Judy and Diane background to Gil's ukulele.The memories and stories of Gil Harris' life will not be lost!

NEW DISPLAY UNITSOver the past ten or twelve years, when the opportunity arose, we were able to set aside monies that were planned to assist inthe construction of “our new building”. That project was a long long way off, of course. So the Board made the decision todip heavily into these funds and enhance our range of ageing display cases with two(very expensive) current units which would be more fitting for Council's comparatively modern building.

They were built in Kings Park, NSW, by Artisan Products and had to be shipped in three parts because they would have been too high to fit through the doors of a

building not designed to be a museum. Asit was, the large main units had only 1cm clearance!The display cases have the latest dim-able

LED lighting and are deeper than standard to allow flexibility in what we need to display. Curator Judy Loffel and archivist Eric Scott are “over the moon” with them.

RAFFLE RESULTS“Hats Off to Country” Festival Raffle was drawn at the Hogs Breath restaurant, Peel Street, Tamworth on Sunday, 5th July 2015 at 7.30pm.1st Prize - Ticket #5. Ben Leech, Tamworth - Accommodation for two at Crown City Motel & Vagabond Harbour Cruise. 2nd Prize - Ticket #56, Phil Warren, Gunnedah - DeLonghi Coffee Machine.3rd Prize -Ticket #223, Brad Orman, Tamworth - Makeup case & T-shirt signed by Gina Jeffries.

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGTime again for the A.G.M. which this year is scheduled for the 27th August, 2015 at 4.00pm at our new location, 561 Peel Street, Tamworth.We hope that if you haven't joined us for a while, you can make some time available during your next visit to Tamworth and come to see the marvellous memories of our Australian and New Zealand country music people.Eric Scott [newsletter editor.] & Barry Davis.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORSAs always, we sincerely thank the businesses and individuals who contribute in so many different ways to the work of The Australian Country Music Hall of Fame.

Amber Lawrence Noel Smith Ron Kelly