Slim Dusty and Noweyung
The History of Slim Dusty and Noweyung
Slim Dusty AO MBE was an Australian country music singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer. He was a huge supporter of Noweyung over many years.
Slim was from Nulla Nulla Creek in NSW, and he became life-long friends with musician ‘Mack’ Cormack from Metung. ‘Mack’ had a daughter, Allison, who was up until recently, a Noweyung Participant. Slim spent a lot of time in Metung, writing songs and spending time with ‘Mack’ and his family. Whenever Slim came to Bairnsdale to put on concerts he would insist the proceeds would go to Noweyung.
When ‘Mack’ passed away Slim released a tribute album to his friend – “To A Mate – Slim Dusty Remembers ‘Mack’ Cormack”.
To show our appreciation for Slim Dusty’s support, Noweyung named a one of our Supported Independent Living residences – Slim Dusty House.
Even though Slim Dusty is no longer with us, his legacy lives on with Slim’s good friend Troy Cassar-Daly learning about Noweyung from Slim. Troy visits Noweyung whenever he is in town. Troy enjoys coming in for a chat and interview with the Noweyung Yackety Yak Radio Show and plays us a song.
Thank you, Slim Dusty!
In Slim’s book “another day, another town” he talks about his support for our organisation:
“But my pet project is the residential programme of Noweyung Centre for the Intellectually Disabled in Bairnsdale. As well as the proceeds of my Bairnsdale concerts, anything out of the ordinary that comes my way, such as the fee for the Telstra launch of the Waltzing Matilda phone card, is sent to Noweyung.
They get some odd amounts now and then. After one of the concerts I did at Winton, a group of young people at the foot of the stage called out,
‘You didn’t sing “By A Fire of Gidgee Coal”!’
‘Sorry,’ I replied, as I was packing up, ‘I’ll do it next time, eh?’
‘Gee, Slim,’ said one. ‘I’ll give you fifty dollars if you’ll sing it for us. Go on, how about it?’
I hesitated—it wasn’t the money they offered—but then I called Fett to get his fiddle, and there on the front of the stage, with no mike and no amplifiers, we did ‘Gidgee Coal’. They held up the fifty dollar note, and I took it … for Noweyung. They can use every little bit they get.”
