From the Archives - The Streets of Forbes CD Release & Folk Gathering 2003

In 2003 Bill the Bus Driver took a load of Sydney folkies & friends to Forbes for a great weekend of music with local & other musicians.

Photos © Sandra Nixon

One of the people present was Maysie Tucker whose songs are in the National Library
Music tells Forbes’ story The Streets of Forbes is one of the best known folk songs in Australia, but it is just one of the many that reflect this area’s rich folklore and heritage.

In 2003 local musicians and schools came together to record some of these songs and tunes and produce a compilation CD.

“The Streets of Forbes” contains the tales of shearers, bushrangers, drovers, goldminers and swaggies preserved in verse or music.

It features The Death of Ben Hall, The Diggers Song, Bald Hill and Night at Daisy Park as well as music by locals Paddy Godden, Harry Schaefer, Bill Cooper and Colin Charlton. 

Forbes resident and keen folkie Rob Willis - who had preserved these tunes for the National Library - produced the compilation CD in conjunction with Forbes Shire Council. 

The recording features such bands as Wongawilli, Growling Dogs, Collector, Us Not Them, and Harvest Moon.

A combined primary schools choir sang The Streets of Forbes, the Red Bend Catholic College Band and the Forbes High School Music Group also contributed a couple of tunes.




video - The Streets of Forbes - Forbes Primary Schools Choir 2003  We recorded the Forbes Combined Primary Schools Choir in 2003 as part of a project on the rich history of folksong in Forbes and district. (Rob Willis)

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10  Saturday blackboard concert - Maysie Tucker

11. Monica & Bob Foggin

12. Bill Beckric aka Bill the Bush Driver

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14.  Monica & Bob Foggin

15.  MC John Warner

16.  Jamie Carlin

17.  Lisa (whistle player), Jane Harding

18.  Margaret Bradford

19. thalia, Alan Musgrove

20.  Bob Bolton

21.  session - Jamie Carlin

22.  Session - Margaret Bradford with guitar

23.  Dale Dengate (pointing)

24.  John Warner

25.  Dale Dengate, Pat Bolton

26.  Bush Dance - Gay Chalmers & friends - Dave de Santi

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29. Concert - Touchwood

30.  Growling Dog & friends

31. CD Launch - Growling Dog & friends

32. Growling Dog & friends

33.   Rob Willis & Maysie Tucker

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35. Maysie Tucker

36. Maysie Tucker

37.  Maysie Tucker

38.  Maysie Tucker

39.  Festival choir with Christina Mimmocchi

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41. Chloe Roweth

42.  Collector

43. Rob interviewing niece of source singer

44. papparazi

45. Mayor of Forbes launching the CD

46.  Maysie Tucker 

47.  Bill & the bus 
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