The Bush Music Club: 15th Anniversary

Showing posts with label 15th Anniversary. Show all posts

Monday, 23 November 2020

Elaine Thornhill Collection

Click images for larger size.

Elaine Thornhill (later Wood) was a member of Concert Party for 4 years in the 60s. There are more photos of Concert Party during that period in the Noel Ricketts collection and in the Maher collection.

I played the largerphone & sang with the Bush Music Club from late 1966 - 1970. Wonderful years with many great memories but unfortunately no photos apart from a concert group shot taken in '68 or '69 with John Dengate, Ken Greenhalgh, Eric Bolton, Jamie Carlin, Harry Glendinning, & myself. Another lost treasure was my five minutes of fame singing 'Convict Maid' in the Sydney Town Hall during the Sydney Folk Festival. How I wish I had a video of us all performing. (email 2014)

Unfortunately we have no photos of Sydney's January 1970 National Folk Festival as Bob Bolton did not return to Sydney from his stay in Tasmania until Easter 1970.

In Archives we have a photocopy of this article about the club in its 15th anniversary year, now thanks to Elaine we can see it as readers saw it in 1969.

Woman's Day - Oct 6, 1969, p.67 (Archives)

scan of original Woman's Day article - Oct 6, 1969 - p.67 - Seated on back - Dale Dengate, Jamie Carlin, unknown accordion player. Standing - Eric Bolton (banjo), Ken Greenhalgh (flute) behind Elaine & Noel Ricketts (mouth organ.) Another photo of this parade is here with more members visible.

Concert Party 1968 - back - Ken Greenhalgh, Elaine Thornhill, Jamie Carlin, Harry Glendinning, front - John Dengate & Eric Bolton.

Concert Party - Frank Maher (bush bass), Eric Bolton (banjo), John Dengate (guitar), Wilma Bolton (lagerphone), Eileen Thornhill (singer), Dave Small (guitar), Noel Ricketts (mouth organ). front - Jamie Carlin (concertina), Ken Greenhalgh (flute).

Largerphone stick made by John Meredith for Elaine

Ken with others playing folk. Singer Dave de Hugard behind tree.

I remember Harry Robertson well from a meal Ken and I had at his home. He had both sad and very fond memories from his whaling days. I love his songs so full of passion coming from a past time when whaling was a hard and honest job. He talked with Ken about including him in a future album but I don’t know if that eventuated. His songs came out in 1971 this is a 1980 Larrikin record. (unfortunately Harry only made 1 album.)

While the Billy Boils - one of Elaine's treasures from her days in the folk scene.

The only time Elaine attended a Wild Colonial Days Society event, a photographer from People magazine captured the evening and it was published in the 8th May, 1968 issue, on pages 38-43

Another of Elaine's treasures - The Sydney Herald, April 18 1831 to January 2 1832 A facsimile reproduction of the first thirty eight issues of The Sydney Herald. (Sydney 1976?)

The Sydney Herald, Vol 1, no. 31, Monday, November 14 1831

For the full text of this ballad see BE MINE, DEAR MAID. Broadside ballad. Probably published between 1840 & 1850. The four songs on this broadside were probably widely popular at the time of publication.

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Sunday, 31 May 2020

From the Archives - Bush Music Club Newsletter - 1968 to1969

Click images for larger size.

The first Newsletter was published in October 1955, & the last Newsletter/Calendar we have was issued in January 1977, & the January 1978 Calendar was also issued with Mulga Wire.

Our holding are not complete & missing issues will be added as found.

Foolscap pages have been scanned as 2 images.

January 1968 (published bi-monthly)

1. In 1967 Club nights were well attended. Concert party is going to Gulgong for Australia Day Weekend, so can't attend the Port Phillip Folk Festival in Melbourne. Concert Party will be at Tuena at Easter.

2. AGM will be held 20th February. list of Publications & Records.

3. Workshop nights are held on Tuesdays 189 Clarence St. Singabout evenings will be held at BWIU Hall, 353? George St. 2 issues of Singabout are planned for 1968. Dale Dengate Hon. Secretary.

4.The "Folk Boom" & the Bush Music Club by H. G. (Harry Glendenning, confirmed by Dale Dengate 30/05/20) )

5. 1968 calendar

6. 1968 calendar
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April 1968

1. 1968 Executive, Tuesday night workshops 189 Clarence St. Beer & Cheese nights, Singabout night 23rd March, BWIU Hall 353 (typo s/be 535) George St with Irish theme, Australian films 31st May. Concert Party will play dance music for Wild Colonial Days Society in March. Concert party is playing for Blaxland branch of the Liberal Party. Concert Party will be at Tuena over Easter.

2.Tuena events include a beard growing competition. Results of the National Song competition - Five Bright Stars by "Janet Chalcot" (Mrs S. Wakefield.) Judges were not impressed by the overall standard of entries. Some members are going to Adelaide so the Club hopes to renew contact with the Adelaide Bush Music Club. Wellington Folklore Society reports more clubs have been established & there is enthusiasm to sing & collect traditional songs. BMC member Dave Small returned from New Zealand with songs. 1969 is the Club's 15th birthday & planning has started. Weekend at Karingal near Bathurst is being planned for later this year.
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May 1968

1. Workshop nights on Tuesdays, 189 Clarence St. Monthly Beer & Cheese nights, 189 Clarence St. Film night 31st May - Three in One, Sentimental Bloke, Crossroads Alice. Dance nights July 30th & September 24th, & a dance afternoon at Noreen Grunseit's place 30th June. Singabout evening 15th June, 535 George St.

2. Singabout Songster No.1 has been released, free to members, 80 cents or 10 for $6.00. Review of Concert Party visit to Tuena.

3. Review of Duke Tritton night. Arrangements for the weekend away at "Karingal" (Dale Dengate Hon. Secretary)
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August 1968

1. Workshop nights, 189 Clarence St. Coming events -14th Anniversary 12th October, 535 George St. 25th-27th October Weekend in Bathurst. Beer & Cheese nights -August - Launch of "Folk Songs of Australia." September - December. Campfire at Ball's Head 16th November, Annual Picnic December 8th.

2. Special Dance nights - September & November, Review of dance afternoon at Noreen Grunseit's place.

3. Harry & Madge Glendenning left Sydney for Kempsey.

4. Concert Party report from John Dengate. Karingal visit will include a concert in the Abercrombie Caves. As Concert Party is going to Tuena next Easter they will miss Morton Bay Folk Festival. BMC is applying to Department of Education for a cultural grant.

5. John Meredith was interviewed on ABC radio about Folk Songs of Australia, (Dale Dengate Hon. Secretary.
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November 1968

1. Workshop nights on Tuesdays, 189 Clarence St. Review of Karingal weekend. Letter from Tea & Damper Club, Adelaide. Newcastle's Purple Parrot Folk Club held a successful Folksong & Dance weekend in August, & have produced a magazine Idiom, which reviewed Singabout Songster & referred to BMC being "one eyed towards traditional Australian folk music" as a criticism!

2. Review of John Meredith's Folk Songs of Australia by John Dengate. BMC received a donation from the defunct Australian Folklore Society, as well as their archives. Coming Events - November. Campfire is going ahead.

3. Concert Party had been very busy over the past 2 months. For those who missed the special edition of Kelly Songsters - fifty booklets of original broadsides of Kelly songs are now for sale. (Dale Dengate Hon. Secretary)
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Calendar 1969

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January 1969

1. Workshop nights on Tuesdays, 189 Clarence St. Concert Party engagements - Lyceum Platform, 2CH interview, Australia Day weekend at Gulgong, possibly Easter in Tuena, NAtional Trust concert in April, Sapphire safari at Grabben Gabben in October.

2. Camping trip to Newnes cancelled due to fire restrictions. Cultural Grant received & donation from Pete Seeger, belated payment for profits from his Sydney concert.

3. Fifteenth Anniversary dinner 24th October. Sad news from Ron Edwards in Queensland - National Folk where Ron Edwards published the songs he collected is closing down & Tradition (Vic) is also appealing for funds. The only folk singers who are successful are foreigners. A recent concert at Sydney Union Theatre did not include any Australian songs. Not so many people are collecting, & Singabout will only be printed when there is enough worthwhile material at hand. Newsletter will be expanded. Last year newsletter was bi-monthly & expects same this year. Dale Dengate

4. Ballad - Song of the Gulgong Goldfields by Bill Frost

5. Circassian Circle r/p from Singabout 1(1)

7. Poem - Where the Archer was Bred by W.S. Frost

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March 1969

1. Woekshop evenings moving to 52 Clarence St. Singabout evening for the 15th Anniversary, 22nd March. Reports to AGM 18th February told of a very active & successful year. Reviews of Gulgong weekend, local members Elaine & Len Norris, & Araluen weekend in March.

2. 15-16th March Concert Party will be at Newbridge Gymkhana for a procession & dance. Concert Party will be camping at Easter. Damper recipe for the campers.

3. Fred Lowry collected in Tuena by Clem Laing of Tuena

4. poem - Tell then I died game by Bill Frost - about Fred Lowry who said these last words.

5. Tell them I died game (cont) Instructions for Strip the Willow. Janet Wakefield has worked to get Stan's songs recognised, ABC School broadcasts has included The Kookaburra Laughed in it's latest book. (Dale Dengate Hon. Secretary)
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May 1969

1. Workshop evenings Tuesdays 52 Clarence St. Review of 15th Anniversary Singabout evening. Next Singabout evening in September.

2. Review of 15th April Sally Sloan evening with Sally & Fred present. Next Beer & Cheese night- Ben Hall, 6th May, Lawson night 17th June, dance night 24th June. Dance afternoon at Noreen Grunseit's place in June. BMC won another sash at Tuena. Banner will be taken to Waratah Parade & Argyle Centenary Celebrations in May. Tuena local Charlie Leabeater of Tuena led Concert Party with his accordion.

3. Report on Tuena continued. Branches of BMC - Mulawa, Kempsey, Araluen, Bathurst, Crookwell, Gulgong, Orchard Hills. Gulgong is planning for their Centenary in 1970. Some interesting songs arrived from WA member L.G. Montgomery - details in July newsletter.

4. Comments on the damper recipe. 1881 Quiz for Brewers examination papers.

5. Charlie Leabeater's Calls for the Figures of The Alberts.

6. Ben Hall a new ballad in traditional style by John Dengate - typo, troops should be traps

7. Ben Hall - cont

8. Poem - Forty Thousand Chows by W. Frost
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July 1969

1. Workshop evenings on Tuesdays, 52 Clarence St. Coming events - 15th Anniversary dinner 24th October, Karingal visit cancelled as Concert Party will be at Waratah Festival, Singabout on 27th September, Stan Wakefield songs Beer & Cheese night 5th, dance evening 19th, Sept 9th Jack Donahoe & Convict songs Beer & Cheese night.

2. Report on Morton Bay National Folk Festival by President Frank Maher.

3. Morton Bay report cont

4. Morton Bay report cont

5. Morton Bay report concludes. Letters from Chris Woodland - BMC members entertained Yarrawong Youth Club Folk night, taught songs & dances, The Overlander can be heard whistled & sung on the street! Frank Halloran reported on plans for Gulgong centenary.

6. L.G. Montgomery (Sandgroper) Moondyne Joe books - Moondyne Joe & Wildflower Songsheet

7. Recipe for home brew Metheglon Instructions for Flying Pieman

8. The Deep South Sea - a song Bill Frost collected c.1916 from an old Norwegian seaman in Jervis Bay (Dale Dengate Hon. Secretary)
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September 1969

1. Workshop nights on Tuesdays 52 Clarence st. Singabout 26th September. Club Anniversary Prog & Grog night 7th October.

2. Concert party has been busy, including ALP BBQ at Manly dam, Argyle Centenary Celebrations, 2 visits to Cremone Shopping Centre, Sydney Technical College Folk Concert, Fellowship of Australian Writers Lawson celebration, Newcastle Technical College concerts & Bullockies Ball, Conservatorium Folk Concert, Argyle Cellars, Wild Colonial Days Society, Roselands, Aboriginal Children's Advancement Society's Moomba at "Kirinari", Sydney Bushwalkers Club, & providing background music to ABC's program on Palmer Gold Rush. As well as this the group have been
practicing for the record which should be made in September. The 10th August Dance night included Hora, Pins & Needles, Prickly Bush where everyone sings as well as dances, Dashing White Sergeant, & La Russe Quadrille, & led to decision to start a demonstration dance group.

3. Dance report cont. BMC passed a motion to support Port Jackson Folk Festival. Wild Colonial Days Newsletter has been received, with an article by Tom Salisbury about Bushrangers in the Bathurst district.