History of the Horton River Band, 1980
Chris Sullivan, Dooley Chapman, Jacko Kevans
(Photos © Bob Bolton)
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The Bush Music Club was founded in 1954 to collect, publish and popularise Australia’s traditional songs, dances, music, yarns, recitations and folklore and to encourage the composition of a new kind of song - one that was traditional in style but contemporary in theme.
Articles © Bush Music Club Inc unless stated otherwise, photographs © individual photographer.
CLICK ON IMAGES FOR LARGER SIZE .
Saturday, 29 February 2020
Bob Bolton Collection - Horton River Bush Band @ 1982 National Folk Festival, Sydney
Click images for larger size.
History of the Horton River Band, 1980
Chris Sullivan, Dooley Chapman, Jacko Kevans
History of the Horton River Band, 1980
Chris Sullivan, Dooley Chapman, Jacko Kevans
Review by Dale Dengate of Keith McKenry's More Than A Life, John Meredith and the Fight for Australian Tradition.
Click on pictures for full-screen image
MORE THAN A LIFE: John Meredith. The Fight for Australian Tradition by Keith McKenry
Some reflections upon the biography and the BMC by R. Dale Dengate (2014)
Since a review I wrote of Keith McKenry's biography of John Meredith was published in Cornstalk (2015) several people have spoken to me about their opinions of the book and their memories. Of course, all of these views show a different perspective, which confirms that it is a difficult task to write about any one’s life let alone such a rich and productive life as Meredith's was. So McKenry is to be congratulated on compiling a very readable biography on Meredith. Although I feel that it is the work done by John Meredith, aka ‘Merro’ in awakening Australians to their musical traditions that should take precedence over the personal details as it was a fight for recognition in the 1950s and maybe still is. Merro was extremely important in the field of Australian Folklore and the founding of Bush Music Club and much more. McKenry has managed to cover a great number of these aspects.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/212476630
extract from Tribune, 17th November, 1954, (BMC Archives)
Some of McKenry’s interests are not the same as mine as I feel they are unnecessary distractions from the achievements of Merro’s life; however, writers often tell us as much about themselves as their subject. Indeed, it is often controversies that get people interested. So when Alex Hood rang and we shared a long conversation of memories from over fifty years ago, I did encourage him to write his comments. Chris Woodland and I have shared lengthy recollections of our times with Merro and many of his are in the book. I hope some of the BMC members from those early times write their accounts, especially Jamie Carlin who has kept diaries since he joined the BMC in mid 1950s.
John and I missed the fifties with the BMC, as we joined in the early 1960s. We felt privileged to get to know Merro, Gay and Alan Scott, Duke Tritton, the Loughlins, and even Dame Mary Gilmore came into Fellowship House as did Lawson’s daughter Bertha, among many others we met at the Tuesday night meetings of the Club. Sally Sloane, one of the people that Merro collected an amazing number of songs and tunes from, regularly sang at Singabout evenings.
Years later I assisted Gay Scott in bringing out her book of Sally’s songs which were linked to the experience of women. When Gay initially asked Merro to write an introduction, he said that he didn’t think women needed their own songs as they could sing any songs they chose to learn.
After 1964, Merro invited John and me to Walden, a simple cottage set in the bush, at Balmoral village, via the Picton loop line. There we read more books than we read in our University studies and discussed not just Australian folklore but Thoreau, Emerson and contemporary naturalists and philosophers. Yet Merro was always interested in our studies and opinions, which John often put into song. Later, in 1980s, Merro visited us to record John’s songs and verse so the NLA would have copies. As I had been trained as a biology teacher, Merro sent a series of photographs he took of unusual plants after our discussion of propagation by seed, pollen, insect or cuttings. Merro not only knew the theory, he could put it into practice. I have some slides taken by Merro of me, in flowing yellow gown, flitting through his hundreds of wattle bushes grown from seed. I have never met anyone who was so interested in the theory but also capable of the practical application of that information as Merro. So John and I were flabbergasted when a few years later we drove along the Walden drive to see all the acacias cut down. Merro told us that borers had become a problem, but McKenry quotes a different story. Whatever the reason, they got the chop, as did the specially bred game roosters named after the royal family. Each weekend, when we stayed with Merro, he would announce he was off to the fowl yard to chop off Prince Charlie’s head or one of the other royally named chooks for our evening meal. It would duly be served with vegetables from the garden and lots of herbs. Cooking with herbs was another thing Merro introduced me to. John usually contributed with a song.
Merro @ Walden, dry stone wall and seedlings, c.1967, Ilford film no.12 (Chris Woodland photo)
Merro & Virginia Woodland at Walden, c.1967, Ilford film no. 16 (Chris Woodland photo)
During the sixties, Merro, John and I were regular visitors to each other’s houses. We were chuffed when Merro declared we were ideal guests as we could assist with some of his projects. He set John D. to illustrate his books including The Tales of Rabelais with ink and watercolours. As I was studying geography, I was given the Indian ink to draw maps for some of his planned books. The research and discovery of a new lead was always discussed with great elation and we avidly followed the progress with its trials, frustrations with editors and publication dates.
During this time, I never felt that Merro was suffering from depression as McKenry implies. Suitable accommodation in the city was always a challenge and he did have some health problems with his one kidney, but Merro always found solutions and was proud of the application of his chemical knowledge.
Merro was meticulous in writing his memories and filing his letters, which I have enjoyed reading in the National Library As Keith acknowledges, he has relied heavily on these in the biography. The book gives details of Merro and friends collecting travels. This is a very significant part of the book. Merro’s approach was to meet the people who had particular songs he was after before recording their music and verses. His files recorded the precise place and date when the song was sung, but McKenry often has the reader flipping back pages to locate the possible year: was it ’84 or ’87? Nevertheless, Keith does a thorough job of interviewing most of the people who went on collecting trips with Merro and recording their contributions. Inevitably there were controversies and differences of opinion and McKenry gives his insights into these. John Meredith. The Fight for Australian Tradition, makes an important contribution to that fight.
MORE THAN A LIFE: John Meredith. The Fight for Australian Tradition by Keith McKenry
Some reflections upon the biography and the BMC by R. Dale Dengate (2014)
Since a review I wrote of Keith McKenry's biography of John Meredith was published in Cornstalk (2015) several people have spoken to me about their opinions of the book and their memories. Of course, all of these views show a different perspective, which confirms that it is a difficult task to write about any one’s life let alone such a rich and productive life as Meredith's was. So McKenry is to be congratulated on compiling a very readable biography on Meredith. Although I feel that it is the work done by John Meredith, aka ‘Merro’ in awakening Australians to their musical traditions that should take precedence over the personal details as it was a fight for recognition in the 1950s and maybe still is. Merro was extremely important in the field of Australian Folklore and the founding of Bush Music Club and much more. McKenry has managed to cover a great number of these aspects.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/212476630
extract from Tribune, 17th November, 1954, (BMC Archives)
Some of McKenry’s interests are not the same as mine as I feel they are unnecessary distractions from the achievements of Merro’s life; however, writers often tell us as much about themselves as their subject. Indeed, it is often controversies that get people interested. So when Alex Hood rang and we shared a long conversation of memories from over fifty years ago, I did encourage him to write his comments. Chris Woodland and I have shared lengthy recollections of our times with Merro and many of his are in the book. I hope some of the BMC members from those early times write their accounts, especially Jamie Carlin who has kept diaries since he joined the BMC in mid 1950s.
John and I missed the fifties with the BMC, as we joined in the early 1960s. We felt privileged to get to know Merro, Gay and Alan Scott, Duke Tritton, the Loughlins, and even Dame Mary Gilmore came into Fellowship House as did Lawson’s daughter Bertha, among many others we met at the Tuesday night meetings of the Club. Sally Sloane, one of the people that Merro collected an amazing number of songs and tunes from, regularly sang at Singabout evenings.
Years later I assisted Gay Scott in bringing out her book of Sally’s songs which were linked to the experience of women. When Gay initially asked Merro to write an introduction, he said that he didn’t think women needed their own songs as they could sing any songs they chose to learn.
After 1964, Merro invited John and me to Walden, a simple cottage set in the bush, at Balmoral village, via the Picton loop line. There we read more books than we read in our University studies and discussed not just Australian folklore but Thoreau, Emerson and contemporary naturalists and philosophers. Yet Merro was always interested in our studies and opinions, which John often put into song. Later, in 1980s, Merro visited us to record John’s songs and verse so the NLA would have copies. As I had been trained as a biology teacher, Merro sent a series of photographs he took of unusual plants after our discussion of propagation by seed, pollen, insect or cuttings. Merro not only knew the theory, he could put it into practice. I have some slides taken by Merro of me, in flowing yellow gown, flitting through his hundreds of wattle bushes grown from seed. I have never met anyone who was so interested in the theory but also capable of the practical application of that information as Merro. So John and I were flabbergasted when a few years later we drove along the Walden drive to see all the acacias cut down. Merro told us that borers had become a problem, but McKenry quotes a different story. Whatever the reason, they got the chop, as did the specially bred game roosters named after the royal family. Each weekend, when we stayed with Merro, he would announce he was off to the fowl yard to chop off Prince Charlie’s head or one of the other royally named chooks for our evening meal. It would duly be served with vegetables from the garden and lots of herbs. Cooking with herbs was another thing Merro introduced me to. John usually contributed with a song.
Merro @ Walden, dry stone wall and seedlings, c.1967, Ilford film no.12 (Chris Woodland photo)
Merro & Virginia Woodland at Walden, c.1967, Ilford film no. 16 (Chris Woodland photo)
During the sixties, Merro, John and I were regular visitors to each other’s houses. We were chuffed when Merro declared we were ideal guests as we could assist with some of his projects. He set John D. to illustrate his books including The Tales of Rabelais with ink and watercolours. As I was studying geography, I was given the Indian ink to draw maps for some of his planned books. The research and discovery of a new lead was always discussed with great elation and we avidly followed the progress with its trials, frustrations with editors and publication dates.
During this time, I never felt that Merro was suffering from depression as McKenry implies. Suitable accommodation in the city was always a challenge and he did have some health problems with his one kidney, but Merro always found solutions and was proud of the application of his chemical knowledge.
Merro was meticulous in writing his memories and filing his letters, which I have enjoyed reading in the National Library As Keith acknowledges, he has relied heavily on these in the biography. The book gives details of Merro and friends collecting travels. This is a very significant part of the book. Merro’s approach was to meet the people who had particular songs he was after before recording their music and verses. His files recorded the precise place and date when the song was sung, but McKenry often has the reader flipping back pages to locate the possible year: was it ’84 or ’87? Nevertheless, Keith does a thorough job of interviewing most of the people who went on collecting trips with Merro and recording their contributions. Inevitably there were controversies and differences of opinion and McKenry gives his insights into these. John Meredith. The Fight for Australian Tradition, makes an important contribution to that fight.
From the Archives - Bush Music Club & dance activities in Cornstalk, no.99, May 1981
Click images for larger size.
1.
2. Cover photo by Bob Bolton taken at the Heritage Ball
3. NSW Folk Federation Family Bush Dance with Stringbow & Bellows.
BALMAIN can be seen under first cross off
4. Second "Forgotten Valley" Folk Festival, St Albans May 1981
5. Monthly Calendar - Bush Dances at Balmain, Beecroft,
Greystanes, Ashfield, Pennant Hills, Lawson, Janalli, BMC,
Playford dance at the Opera House & Surry Hills
Bush Bands - Woronora, Selectors, Inland Navigators, Sourwood Mountain, String & Bellows, Run Culls, Captains Whiskers, Bluetongueush Bands - Woronora, Selectors, Inland Navigators, Sourwood Mountain, String & Bellows, Run Culls, Captains Whiskers, Bluetongue
6. BMC dance workshop at The Hut, Folk-us nights, BMC workshops at The Hut, Bush Music Club singing & dancing monthly at The Rocks
Bush bands - Pinchgut at Crows Nest & Vicarys, Good Time Bush Band at Berrima, Bluetongue Bush band,
7. Colonial Subscription Ball in August,
Bush Music Festival Oct 23-25,
Dance Workshops,
8. Odds & Sods - New bush band - Southern Cross with Dave Johnson,
Chris Cole, Anne Pidcock, Annette Dwight & Jos O'Sullivan.
Other bands Bushwackers, Marrow Bones, Larrikins.
Broadsheets available from Phyl Lobl.
Margaret Walters is contact for the Sydney column in
Stringybark & Greenhide
Shell Folkloric coming up in June.
Concertina for sale
9. Dancers - Albion Fair, Blackwattle Morris, International Folk Dancing,
Sydney Ceili Dance Group, Maids of the Mill, Sedenka International
Folk Dancers, Silver City Crownsmen, Sydney Colonial Dancers,
Sydney Morris Men, Sydney Playford Dance Group,
Sydney Scottish Country Dance Group,
Irish Folk Dance Group
1.
2. Cover photo by Bob Bolton taken at the Heritage Ball
3. NSW Folk Federation Family Bush Dance with Stringbow & Bellows.
BALMAIN can be seen under first cross off
4. Second "Forgotten Valley" Folk Festival, St Albans May 1981
5. Monthly Calendar - Bush Dances at Balmain, Beecroft,
Greystanes, Ashfield, Pennant Hills, Lawson, Janalli, BMC,
Playford dance at the Opera House & Surry Hills
Bush Bands - Woronora, Selectors, Inland Navigators, Sourwood Mountain, String & Bellows, Run Culls, Captains Whiskers, Bluetongueush Bands - Woronora, Selectors, Inland Navigators, Sourwood Mountain, String & Bellows, Run Culls, Captains Whiskers, Bluetongue
6. BMC dance workshop at The Hut, Folk-us nights, BMC workshops at The Hut, Bush Music Club singing & dancing monthly at The Rocks
Bush bands - Pinchgut at Crows Nest & Vicarys, Good Time Bush Band at Berrima, Bluetongue Bush band,
7. Colonial Subscription Ball in August,
Bush Music Festival Oct 23-25,
Dance Workshops,
8. Odds & Sods - New bush band - Southern Cross with Dave Johnson,
Chris Cole, Anne Pidcock, Annette Dwight & Jos O'Sullivan.
Other bands Bushwackers, Marrow Bones, Larrikins.
Broadsheets available from Phyl Lobl.
Margaret Walters is contact for the Sydney column in
Stringybark & Greenhide
Shell Folkloric coming up in June.
Concertina for sale
9. Dancers - Albion Fair, Blackwattle Morris, International Folk Dancing,
Sydney Ceili Dance Group, Maids of the Mill, Sedenka International
Folk Dancers, Silver City Crownsmen, Sydney Colonial Dancers,
Sydney Morris Men, Sydney Playford Dance Group,
Sydney Scottish Country Dance Group,
Irish Folk Dance Group
Tuesday, 25 February 2020
Bob Bolton Collection - List of Bob's early 70's negative files that were given to the National Library in 2014
Click on pictures for full-screen image
In 2014 Bob gave his Folk & Bush Music related negatives from 1970 to 2014 to the National Library. This blog relates to the earliest negatives, from 1970 to 1974. He returned to Sydney from Tasmania at Easter 1970 so missed the Sydney National Folk Festival which was held in January.
After he retired all his photo albums and BMC Library and Archives came to the Hut.
All albums are labelled, and as Bob was a professional photographer, all negatives are date stamped YYMMDD. Members have been identifying people in the photos, and the albums will be handed over to the National Library where they will be invaluable in identifying participants when the negatives are digitised.
The earliest album covers the 1982 Bush Music Festival and the latest the 2007 Illawarra Folk Festival when he stopped printing his photos, some years after buying a digital camera.
Email trail for the early 70s negative files
List attached to previous email, films 1970 to 1974.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
In 2014 Bob gave his Folk & Bush Music related negatives from 1970 to 2014 to the National Library. This blog relates to the earliest negatives, from 1970 to 1974. He returned to Sydney from Tasmania at Easter 1970 so missed the Sydney National Folk Festival which was held in January.
After he retired all his photo albums and BMC Library and Archives came to the Hut.
All albums are labelled, and as Bob was a professional photographer, all negatives are date stamped YYMMDD. Members have been identifying people in the photos, and the albums will be handed over to the National Library where they will be invaluable in identifying participants when the negatives are digitised.
The earliest album covers the 1982 Bush Music Festival and the latest the 2007 Illawarra Folk Festival when he stopped printing his photos, some years after buying a digital camera.
Email trail for the early 70s negative files
subject - Preliminary Mark-up of Bob Bolton Early 1970s negative files
date - 29/5/14, 3:22 pm
G'day Rob, (Sandra .. Mike ... ),
This is the Film by 'Film' index' to the first four, or so, years after I returned to Sydney ... after Patricia & I married, down in Hobart ~ Easter 1970.
I've taken the ( ... partial ... ?) listing of negative folders ... and brief content titles ... and worked down for about as far as it appears that I was storing them in my small supply of ~ sealed steel Vietnam era ammo boxes.
I should refresh my memory by counting the film files (~ usually 36 exposure ... in each ammo box)! I'll get back to confirm how many ammo boxes cover that period...
Regards,
Bob
date - 29/5/14, 3:22 pm
G'day Rob, (Sandra .. Mike ... ),
This is the Film by 'Film' index' to the first four, or so, years after I returned to Sydney ... after Patricia & I married, down in Hobart ~ Easter 1970.
I've taken the ( ... partial ... ?) listing of negative folders ... and brief content titles ... and worked down for about as far as it appears that I was storing them in my small supply of ~ sealed steel Vietnam era ammo boxes.
I should refresh my memory by counting the film files (~ usually 36 exposure ... in each ammo box)! I'll get back to confirm how many ammo boxes cover that period...
Regards,
Bob
subject - Re: Ammo boxes of Bob Bolton's 35 mm film files from (~) 1970 - 1974
date - 03/06/14
Hello Bob,
Apologies for not getting back to you sooner have been recording in the wonderful Tasmania again.
A couple of links https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrcQPxkvwU4&list=UUOrA5H7ULWbJG4vyiLslzAQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1wiffDulec
Thanks for all the information about your images and the references, it all sounds very interesting and extremely significant. I have only started to realise the importance of my early videos and as you started with your photographs a lot earlier than me they are even more important.
Unfortunately I won’t be at the Bundanoon weekend but if you are keen to archive your images we will work out a way to get them.
Thanks again, Bob, please keep in touch on this, it is MOST important.
This collection is vital to the preservation of folklore in Australia.
Warmest wishes.
Rob
Rob Willis
National Library of Australia
Oral History and Folklore Collections
http://www.nla.gov.au/what-we-collect/oral-history-and-folklore
date - 03/06/14
Hello Bob,
Apologies for not getting back to you sooner have been recording in the wonderful Tasmania again.
A couple of links https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrcQPxkvwU4&list=UUOrA5H7ULWbJG4vyiLslzAQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1wiffDulec
Thanks for all the information about your images and the references, it all sounds very interesting and extremely significant. I have only started to realise the importance of my early videos and as you started with your photographs a lot earlier than me they are even more important.
Unfortunately I won’t be at the Bundanoon weekend but if you are keen to archive your images we will work out a way to get them.
Thanks again, Bob, please keep in touch on this, it is MOST important.
This collection is vital to the preservation of folklore in Australia.
Warmest wishes.
Rob
Rob Willis
National Library of Australia
Oral History and Folklore Collections
http://www.nla.gov.au/what-we-collect/oral-history-and-folklore
subject - Re: Ammo Boxes of Bob Bolton's 35 mm film files from (~) 1970 - 1974
date - 2/6/14, 10:05 am
G'day yet again Rob,
I've been trying to beat my scanty "database" of the 35 mm film files stored in my stack of (~ Vietnam Era) metal Ammo boxes ... into something that is comprehensible , ... to me - at least (?)!
I've been through the first two (.. or so ... ) boxes - and listed the 'subjects' / locations / approx dates / descriptions and the odd observation - and I've highlighted all the files that look appropriate in red type. These are ... largely ... those covering activities (mostly performers) in (generally Sydney, commercial, folk clubs / Bush Music Club meetings - activities - concert performances and any other public appearances and activities.
There is no real coverage of Tasmanian (Hobart region) folk clubs as high speed film wasn't easy to get ...and I wasn't expecting any sales of performer photos ... down there! I did experiment with one rare cassette of newly developed high-speed Ektachrome (experimental development for early NASA launches ... trying to evaluate the apparent "flickering lights" outside the capsule(s) " ... later found to be stray high energy radiation passing through capsule ... and Astronauts' eyeballs!
The 35 mm negative folders have the standard 7 folds of 6 standard frames (24 mm X 36 mm) ... I have crammed about 90 folders into each Ammo box. I have through numbered neg folders #1(1969 - Hobart) to #480 (Dec 1975 - Richmond NSW) and highlighted in red possible subjects of interest & relevance. I have carried on into the files "numbered" by calendar date ... from 20th October 1975 (File 751020) down to 6th February 1983 (File 830226B) ... with all the files that look relevant to Bush Music Club and the "Australian Folk Revival" activities of the 1970s/~80s.
I imagine that that range of my earlier coverage of the folk revival should be of interest. My coverage outside of BMC activities broadened during my 4 years of the Photography Certificate (some days / some nights) ... as I had to be in "full-time photographic employment as a condition for thr Certificate studies. When I graduated, I went straight into employment at the Photographic Branch of the (then) Sydney County Council ... and, through name changes to Sydney Electricity, Sydelec, Energy Australia, Ausgrid (and anything else that I've overlooked) I'm still here ... but working on the archives ... while everyone who needs a casual "snap" just whips out a digital camera ... or, these days, their 'phone ... and lives with whatever they manage to grab!
I forgot to get an accurate measurement of the metal Army Ammo Boxes ... but the length must be ~ 250 mm ( ... even 10 old inches ...), ~200 mm high and ~100 mm wide ... plus fixings and handles. (All right ... I'll try to remember to actually measure one ... tonight!)
This is the single file I have been going through ... trying to mark up interesting / significant details:
Other Items I haven't evaluated here would include the cassette recorder "interviews" I think I've listed earlier. There is also a bunch of song and verse recordings of John Dengate ... that amalgamated after John's recent death. I suspect that I don't have much unique material on these recordings ... by myself - or other BMC and nearby enthusiasts - but they are here and set aside!
The other cassette recordings ... particularly Pat's Grandmother at 101 years (with memories of dancing in Tasmania ... before she married in the late 19th century and with no later memories to confuse the issue - as her husband did not dance .../ as well as the 1970s cassette of John Kell - especially his reminiscences of his family "band" of the 1920s ... down round the Barallier region south of Sydney and - in west of Mittagong ... are all worth listening to ... and, possibly, transcribing!
Regards,
Bob
date - 2/6/14, 10:05 am
G'day yet again Rob,
I've been trying to beat my scanty "database" of the 35 mm film files stored in my stack of (~ Vietnam Era) metal Ammo boxes ... into something that is comprehensible , ... to me - at least (?)!
I've been through the first two (.. or so ... ) boxes - and listed the 'subjects' / locations / approx dates / descriptions and the odd observation - and I've highlighted all the files that look appropriate in red type. These are ... largely ... those covering activities (mostly performers) in (generally Sydney, commercial, folk clubs / Bush Music Club meetings - activities - concert performances and any other public appearances and activities.
There is no real coverage of Tasmanian (Hobart region) folk clubs as high speed film wasn't easy to get ...and I wasn't expecting any sales of performer photos ... down there! I did experiment with one rare cassette of newly developed high-speed Ektachrome (experimental development for early NASA launches ... trying to evaluate the apparent "flickering lights" outside the capsule(s) " ... later found to be stray high energy radiation passing through capsule ... and Astronauts' eyeballs!
The 35 mm negative folders have the standard 7 folds of 6 standard frames (24 mm X 36 mm) ... I have crammed about 90 folders into each Ammo box. I have through numbered neg folders #1(1969 - Hobart) to #480 (Dec 1975 - Richmond NSW) and highlighted in red possible subjects of interest & relevance. I have carried on into the files "numbered" by calendar date ... from 20th October 1975 (File 751020) down to 6th February 1983 (File 830226B) ... with all the files that look relevant to Bush Music Club and the "Australian Folk Revival" activities of the 1970s/~80s.
I imagine that that range of my earlier coverage of the folk revival should be of interest. My coverage outside of BMC activities broadened during my 4 years of the Photography Certificate (some days / some nights) ... as I had to be in "full-time photographic employment as a condition for thr Certificate studies. When I graduated, I went straight into employment at the Photographic Branch of the (then) Sydney County Council ... and, through name changes to Sydney Electricity, Sydelec, Energy Australia, Ausgrid (and anything else that I've overlooked) I'm still here ... but working on the archives ... while everyone who needs a casual "snap" just whips out a digital camera ... or, these days, their 'phone ... and lives with whatever they manage to grab!
I forgot to get an accurate measurement of the metal Army Ammo Boxes ... but the length must be ~ 250 mm ( ... even 10 old inches ...), ~200 mm high and ~100 mm wide ... plus fixings and handles. (All right ... I'll try to remember to actually measure one ... tonight!)
This is the single file I have been going through ... trying to mark up interesting / significant details:
Other Items I haven't evaluated here would include the cassette recorder "interviews" I think I've listed earlier. There is also a bunch of song and verse recordings of John Dengate ... that amalgamated after John's recent death. I suspect that I don't have much unique material on these recordings ... by myself - or other BMC and nearby enthusiasts - but they are here and set aside!
The other cassette recordings ... particularly Pat's Grandmother at 101 years (with memories of dancing in Tasmania ... before she married in the late 19th century and with no later memories to confuse the issue - as her husband did not dance .../ as well as the 1970s cassette of John Kell - especially his reminiscences of his family "band" of the 1920s ... down round the Barallier region south of Sydney and - in west of Mittagong ... are all worth listening to ... and, possibly, transcribing!
Regards,
Bob
List attached to previous email, films 1970 to 1974.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Saturday, 22 February 2020
Duke's Place - a great night of Australian songs, 2020 calendar
Click on pictures for full-screen image
Duke's Place, 7.30 for 8pm start.
Bush Music Club,
Tritton Hall Hut 44
Addison Road Centre
142 Addison Rd, Marrickville.
$10, BYO & a contribution for supper, tea & coffee provided.
Directions:
Park in the carpark and follow the path on the right side of the big hall - the Hut is across the grass, decorated with dancers & musicians.
Map here https://addiroad.org.au/about-us/contact-us/
The 428 bus stops right outside the Centre.
Duke's Place, 7.30 for 8pm start.
Bush Music Club,
Tritton Hall Hut 44
Addison Road Centre
142 Addison Rd, Marrickville.
$10, BYO & a contribution for supper, tea & coffee provided.
Directions:
Park in the carpark and follow the path on the right side of the big hall - the Hut is across the grass, decorated with dancers & musicians.
Map here https://addiroad.org.au/about-us/contact-us/
The 428 bus stops right outside the Centre.
- Feb 14 - Garry Tooth
- Mar 13 - Enda Kenny
- Apr 17 - Poleson family - 3 generations of members
- May 8 - Dingo's Breakfast
- Jun 12 - Pat Drummond
- Jul 10 - Dallas de Brabander
- (no concert in Aug - we can't compete against the Sydney Folk Festival!)
- Sep 11 - The Thompsons
- Oct 9 - Alistair Hulett night with Margaret & Bob Fagan, Miguel Heatwole, Chris Maltby & Margaret Walters.
- Nov 13 - Martin Wyndham-Read
- Dec 11 - Shortis & Simpson Review of the year that was 2020
 |
| Photo © Sandra Nixon |
Thursday, 20 February 2020
Bob Bolton Collection - BMC & Scouts - Concert Party at Scout Jamboree at Leppington, 10th October 1971.
Click on pictures for full-screen image
The Bush Music Club was involved with the Scouting movement from the 60s. Bob's parents Ken & Grace Bolton had been scouting leaders since at least 1948. Ken designed a lagerphone striker & introduced lagerphones to Scouts, aka lollywaterphones (conversation with Bob)
Ken & Bob's older brother Eric brought Bob to the Club when he was around 16 years old, c.1960/61. (email from Chris Woodland)
Extract from the talk Frank Maher gave at 2012 National Folk Festival on our First Ten Years ... With the Concert Party our biggest audience ever was a performance at Bringelly for a World Jamboree of Scouts. There were 5000 Scouts in the audience ...
NSW scout numbers peaked in 1971, and the 9th Australian Jamboree at Leppington was attended by 16,000 scouts.
1. 71010224 Frank Maher, John Dengate, Jamie Carlin, Noel Ricketts, Eric Bolton, Wilma Bolton
2. 71010226 John Dengate, Jamie Carlin, Noel Ricketts, Wilma Bolton, Eric Bolton
3. 71010232 John Dengate, Jamie Carlin, Frank Maher, Noel Ricketts, Wilma Bolton, Eric Bolton
4. 71010234 John Dengate, Jamie Carlin, Noel Ricketts, Eric Bolton
5. this A3 photograph was removed from the walls of the Hut a few years ago
6.
7.
The Bush Music Club was involved with the Scouting movement from the 60s. Bob's parents Ken & Grace Bolton had been scouting leaders since at least 1948. Ken designed a lagerphone striker & introduced lagerphones to Scouts, aka lollywaterphones (conversation with Bob)
Ken & Bob's older brother Eric brought Bob to the Club when he was around 16 years old, c.1960/61. (email from Chris Woodland)
Extract from the talk Frank Maher gave at 2012 National Folk Festival on our First Ten Years ... With the Concert Party our biggest audience ever was a performance at Bringelly for a World Jamboree of Scouts. There were 5000 Scouts in the audience ...
NSW scout numbers peaked in 1971, and the 9th Australian Jamboree at Leppington was attended by 16,000 scouts.
1. 71010224 Frank Maher, John Dengate, Jamie Carlin, Noel Ricketts, Eric Bolton, Wilma Bolton
2. 71010226 John Dengate, Jamie Carlin, Noel Ricketts, Wilma Bolton, Eric Bolton
3. 71010232 John Dengate, Jamie Carlin, Frank Maher, Noel Ricketts, Wilma Bolton, Eric Bolton
4. 71010234 John Dengate, Jamie Carlin, Noel Ricketts, Eric Bolton
5. this A3 photograph was removed from the walls of the Hut a few years ago
Songbooks in BMC library
6.
7.
Tuesday, 18 February 2020
Reports on launches of Keith McKenry's biography of John Meredith, 2013 & 2014.
Click on pictures for full-screen image
Review by Dr Jennifer Gall in Sydney Morning Herald, 3rd October, 2013.
The initial launch was held at Dulwich Hill in conjunction with the Bush Music Club. Launches were also held at a number of festivals & clubs around the country.
available from Rosenberg Publishing http://www.rosenbergpub.com.au/handleContactP.asp
Among the 50 people at the launch were an original Bushwhacker (Alex Hood, with his wife Annette), the sons of the late Bushwhacker Alan Scott and his wife Gay, both founder members (Bill & Ashley), a grandson of Duke Tritton (Chris McLean), 2 close-to-foundation member from the 50s (Jamie Carlin & Frank Maher) and a group of members from the 50s-60s (Ronda Carlin, Ann Maher, Barbara & George Gibbons.)
Photos © Sandra Nixon
1. Annette & Alex Hood
2. Early members (middle) - Ronda & Jamie Carlin, George & Barbara Gibbons, Ann & Frank Maher
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Back - Jamie & Ronda Carlin, front - George & Barbara Gibbons
8. Keith & Alex
9. Frank Maher
10. Tom Bridges, son of Helen Bridges who wrote the tune for Ballad of 1891.
11. John Derum
Other esteemed guests were Tom Bridges, the son of Doreen Bridges composer of the music to Ballad of 1891, Gabrielle Mackey from the National Folk Festival, & Mark Cranfield from the National Library.
The book was launched by John Derum, & entertainment was provided by Wongawilli, Alex Hood and Martin Fallding.
12. Wongawilli
Decoration was provided by 3 timeworn old display boards & BMC's 2 banners made by Dale Dengate in 1968 & 2012.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Keith showed a grainy copy of the only movie the Bushwhackers made, a trilogy of 3 short film - "Three in One" by Cecil Holmes They appeared in the first story which was based on Henry Lawson's classic short story, "The Union Buries Its Dead". (Letter from Harry Kay collection)
18.
19.
20. 1968 banner on the table
Concert organised by Keith McKenry to lunch the book at Turning Wave Festival, Yass, September 2014
21. Mike Martin & Roger Hargraves
22.
23. Chloe & Jason Roweth, Mike Martin & Roger Hargraves
25. Mike Martin & Roger Hargraves
26. John Warner & friends
27.
28. Chloe & Jason Roweth, Mike Martin
29. Chloe & Jason Roweth, Mike Martin, Roger Hargraves
30. Chloe & Jason Roweth, Roger Hargraves
31. Coolfin Mic
32. Dingo's Breakfast
33. Dingo's Breakfast
34. Roaring Forties
35. Roaring Forties
36. Roaring Forties
37.
38. Mike Martin
39. Keith & Merro's Possum Republic
Review by Dr Jennifer Gall in Sydney Morning Herald, 3rd October, 2013.
The initial launch was held at Dulwich Hill in conjunction with the Bush Music Club. Launches were also held at a number of festivals & clubs around the country.
available from Rosenberg Publishing http://www.rosenbergpub.com.au/handleContactP.asp
Among the 50 people at the launch were an original Bushwhacker (Alex Hood, with his wife Annette), the sons of the late Bushwhacker Alan Scott and his wife Gay, both founder members (Bill & Ashley), a grandson of Duke Tritton (Chris McLean), 2 close-to-foundation member from the 50s (Jamie Carlin & Frank Maher) and a group of members from the 50s-60s (Ronda Carlin, Ann Maher, Barbara & George Gibbons.)
Photos © Sandra Nixon
1. Annette & Alex Hood
2. Early members (middle) - Ronda & Jamie Carlin, George & Barbara Gibbons, Ann & Frank Maher
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. Back - Jamie & Ronda Carlin, front - George & Barbara Gibbons
8. Keith & Alex
9. Frank Maher
10. Tom Bridges, son of Helen Bridges who wrote the tune for Ballad of 1891.
11. John Derum
Other esteemed guests were Tom Bridges, the son of Doreen Bridges composer of the music to Ballad of 1891, Gabrielle Mackey from the National Folk Festival, & Mark Cranfield from the National Library.
The book was launched by John Derum, & entertainment was provided by Wongawilli, Alex Hood and Martin Fallding.
12. Wongawilli
Decoration was provided by 3 timeworn old display boards & BMC's 2 banners made by Dale Dengate in 1968 & 2012.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Keith showed a grainy copy of the only movie the Bushwhackers made, a trilogy of 3 short film - "Three in One" by Cecil Holmes They appeared in the first story which was based on Henry Lawson's classic short story, "The Union Buries Its Dead". (Letter from Harry Kay collection)
17.
18.
19.
20. 1968 banner on the table
Concert organised by Keith McKenry to lunch the book at Turning Wave Festival, Yass, September 2014
21. Mike Martin & Roger Hargraves
22.
23. Chloe & Jason Roweth, Mike Martin & Roger Hargraves
25. Mike Martin & Roger Hargraves
26. John Warner & friends
27.
28. Chloe & Jason Roweth, Mike Martin
29. Chloe & Jason Roweth, Mike Martin, Roger Hargraves
30. Chloe & Jason Roweth, Roger Hargraves
31. Coolfin Mic
32. Dingo's Breakfast
33. Dingo's Breakfast
34. Roaring Forties
35. Roaring Forties
36. Roaring Forties
37.
38. Mike Martin
39. Keith & Merro's Possum Republic
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