'Down Through The Years' |
Our History Note: We offer acknowledgement to all individuals and organisations whose information is included in this website. All resources are used in good faith for the benefit of Country Music in Australia. No individual or Committee Members with links to Gawler Country Music Club Inc accept any legal responsibilities for the information included within. Please address any concerns to the President of Gawler Country Music Club Inc. |
|
|
Gawler Country Music Club in South Australia goes back a long way and it is interesting to reflect upon its origins and the history of its development. Since the club's inception Country Music lovers in South Australia have enjoyed the companionship of club members and visitors and the entertainment provided by local and interstate artists. Gawler Country Music Club did not happen by chance. |
Gawler Country Music Club was made possible by its founding members.......... and by
The rest is...... History
If you can help please contact us In the Beginning |
1788 First Fleet 1880's to 1900's 1936 1941 1946 1950's 1957 1960 |
In 1788 the first fleet landed in this our Land of Opportunity. The sounds of Australia's traditional Didgeridoos and Clapsticks were about to be revolutionised. Many of the first 'White' Australian songs told of bushrangers; the good and bad times, the droughts the floods, stockmen and sheepshearers. The accompanying musical instruments included fiddles, banjos, mouth organ, penny whistles, button accordions and anything else that could make a noise. i.e. Bush Band Instruments such as Bush Bass (tea chest complete with broom-handle) The Lagerphone came some time later once enough beer had been consumed. Note: At this time beer bottles did not have tops with the necessary specifications for good sound quality. During the 1880's and 1900's song writers Paterson, Lawson and Ogilvie set the scene for Bush Ballads. Waltzing Matilda by Banjo Paterson became known worldwide. In the 1920s the introduction of radio and wind-up gramophone influenced the growth of Country Music. By the 1930s, country music had become an established part of rural life with the sounds of artists such as Jimmy Rogers and Hank Snow. In 1936 New Zealand born Tex Morton, earned the title "Father of Australian Country Music." He pioneered a genuine, original Australian style of country music, which had an enormous influence on aspiring young artists like Slim Dusty and Buddy Williams. From Queensland our first Australian country girl to record solo was Shirley Thoms.
Smoky Dawson began recording in 1941 to become one of Australia's best loved country music characters. David Gordon Kirkpatrick/Slim Dusty recorded the first of over a thousand songs about the land he loved. Country Music was promoted on radio in the 1950's, with artists such as Tim McNamara, Reg Lindsay, the McKean Sisters, and Bob Fricker. Smoky Dawson appeared on radio and introduced Country Music to TV. Gordon Parsons' 'Pub With No Beer'
was
In the 60's Country Music took to Television. In 1964 The Country and Western Hour was produced in Adelaide, compared by Roger Cardwell and later Reg Lindsay. |
|
1979 First Barmera Festival See |
The Riverlands Country Music Festival and Awards at Barmera South Australia remains the Biggest and the most prestigious of its kind in SA. New and Young Talent is discovered here every year. Barmera's 'Friendly Festival' houses a Country Music Hall of Fame and a Hands of Fame Park. |
|
Jan 1989 First President |
Glen Harrison was a founding member and the first President of the Adelaide Country Music Club from January 1989 to August 1990. Glen also became the founding President of Gawler Country Music Club 1992/1993 |
|
Oct 1992 First Gawler CMC Festival Photos of Glen Harrison Merle Rogers would be appreciated |
The history of our great Gawler Country Music Club Inc began in 1992 as a result of; and following, the First Annual 'Gawler Country Music Festival'. This the First Festival was welcomed by the then Mayor of Gawler R L Bartlett, and took place from Monday October 5th to Sunday October 11th 1992. The organising committee of the First Gawler Country Music Festival was led by Glen Harrison, President of The Country Music Federation of South Australia Inc (CMFSA Inc.) and Merle Rogers, President of the Gawler Tourist Association. The event took place in Main Street Gawler and included Busking, Sausage Sizzles, Devonshire Teas etc... |
![]() |
Beccy Sturtzel Now AKA Beccy Cole
|
The Gawler (Prasads) Motel held a 'Pioneers Cabaret' and during the week, artists such as Gummy Bill, Buckshot, and many other's appeared. Saturday: October 10th 1992 Gawler Lions Club hosted a Country Breakfast. Gawler Institute organised a Talent Quest. Who Won? Murray Street was the scene of a Street Parade. Main Street had a Bush Band, Square Dancers, Folk Music, Didgeridoo Playing, and Amusements. Gawler Recreation Centre held an Awards Night Concert featuring Smokey Dawson, Rocky Page, The Howie Bros, Chad Morgan, Dusty Rankin, Liz Cargo, Trev Warner, Neil Humphries, Kahren, Carole & Beccy Sturtzel, Kym Warner and Johnny Mac. Sunday: October 11th 1992 Gawler Cinema held a Gospel Concert. Gawler Race Course was the venue for the Grand Farewell Open Air Concert with Neil Humphries and many other Guests. |
1992/1993 First Secretary Glen Harrison First Gawler Country Music Club President |
‘ I Remember…’ Recollections by Joni Lee-Voyce Founding Member… Glen Harrison and Merle Rogers (President of the Gawler Tourist Association) got together to arrange an informal committee to stage the first Gawler Country Music Festival. After this event a number of Country Music enthusiasts joined forces to form an official committee. Glen Harrison was President, Merle Rogers was Vice President, Joni Lee-Voyce was Secretary, Sandy Davies was Treasurer, Promotions was the responsibility of Joe McKerron, Glen Harrison's wife Christine and daughter Kahren were also on the committee. |
Pic by Ian Fisk |
Joni Lee-Voyce officially registered the Gawler Country Music Club Inc name in 1993 and she was the first person to pay here dues and join Gawler Country Music Club. As a courtesy she gave Glen the No. 1 membership number. The name 'Gawler Country Music Festival' was registered around the same time and the Gawler Club Committee organised the festival which was very successful. The club used to hold its monthly shows at what was then Emily's Restaurant (Now the Nova) they then moved to the Gawler South Football Club where they stayed for several years. Joni was Club Secretary until 1996/1997. Thanks for your contribution Joni. Additional information is always welcome from anyone who wishes to contribute to ‘I Remember…’ |
1993 First Newsletter First Club Show March 1993 First Music Workshop |
The first edition of the Gawler Country Music Club Newsletter was released in April 1993. The very first Club Show of Gawler Country Music Club was held on Sunday 7th March 1993 at Emily's Restaurant in Gawler. The band was 'Buckshot' consisting of Debbie List, Rick Pace, Kevin Hendry and Andre Chouse. Special guest was Kahren. Other artists were Colin Thomas, Rebecca Thomas, Linda Booth, Murray Mac, Aussie Atkins, Duncan Smith, Ian List, Travis List, Dallas List and Dan Mannix. The Second monthly show on April 4th 1993 was again held in in Gawler Reception Centre at Emily's Restaurant featuring 'Country Mile' with Special Guest Gummy Bill/Ross Baker. The First Music Workshop was earmarked for May 2nd 1993 to be held upstairs at Emily's Restaurant. It was proposed to have a Monthly Workshop the Coordinator was Kahren Harris. Tuition in guitar, bass, pedal steel mandolin/banjo, vocals, stage performance were on offer. |
March 2004 |
Fiona Parish |
Fiona Parish took over as Newsletter Editor from Jamie Warren. Fiona acknowledged Dawn Trezise for donating stamps for the mailing out of our Newsletter |
July 2004 |
Club Member Neville Potter who was born with Cerebral Palsy is interviewed for our Newsletter |
|
Oct 2004 |
Committee Reshuffle Keith Warren President Keven McGregor Vice President Helen Warren Secretary Donna Warren Treasurer Fiona Parrish Newsletter Editor |
Committee Members
Josie Read Brian Moore Yvonne McGregor George Dobie Kay Dobie Fred Payne |
Sept 2004 |
Slim Dusty Tribute Show.......... Proceeds to go to Cancer Research The Gawler Country Music Club presented its first Slim Dusty Tribute Show at Munno Para Bowling Club on 19th September 2004. Host band was John Turner and Saddle Tramp with special guest artists Bill Bedford, Mick Burgen, Ian List, Wally Sparrow, Vanessa Lee Shirley, Roger Howard and Keith Warren. Admission cost was $7 per person. Sponsors were Allingtons Outpost, Munno Para Bowling Club, RM Williams and Keith and Helen Warren. |
Sept 2005 S.A.'s First A3 Country Music Club Newsletter |
Fiona Parish performed this laborious process of producing the club's monthly newsletter for two years. Fiona resigned from her role as Newsletter Editor due to other commitments. With computer technology becoming more widely available, the new Newsletter Editor Les Parris changed the format of the GCMC Newsletter to A3 folded. It proved to be a popular move. |
Les Parris |
Sept 2005 | The
Newsletter Folding Team consisting of volunteers.... Tina Chapman, George Dobie, Kathy Armstrong, Sandra Keepence, Kevin Keepence, Terry Sheehan, Marjorie Bateson, Kay Dobie and Daryl Parker have been responsible for folding and addressing the newsletters from 2005 to 2008. Thanks go to Munno Para Bowling and Recreation Club for providing us with the use of their photocopier and premises for producing our monthly newsletter. |
|
Oct 2005 |
Committee Reshuffle Keith Warren President Keven McGregor Vice President Helen Warren Secretary Barry Warren Treasurer Les Parris Newsletter Editor Fred Payne Public Relations |
Committee Members
Josie Read Brian Moore Yvonne McGregor George Dobie Kay Dobie Janette Tripodi |
Dec 2005 GCMC's First Independent Country Music Club Website |
Gawler Country Music Club went on 'the web' with its own website developed by their Newsletter Editor/Webmaster Les Parris www.gawlercountrymusicclub.com.au All Newsletters from September 2005 can be viewed on-line |
Sept 2006/2007 Committee |
Committee Reshuffle
|
Left to Right Back Row Les Parris Newsletter/Web Editor Terry Sheehan General Committee Keven McGregor Vice President Brian Moore General Committee Middle Row Keith Warren President Barry Warren Accounts George Dobie General Committee Fred Payne Public Relations Front Row Yvonne McGregor General Committee Helen Warren Secretary Josie Evans General Committee Kay Dobie General Committee |
Dec 2006 | Gawler Country Music Club purchased a Badge Making Machine and began producing badges for our club and other community based organisations. Les Parris our Newsletter Editor designed, printed and created the badges many of which were requested by young Country Music artists for promotions and fund raising. | ![]() |
||||||||||||
Aug 2007/2008 Committee |
Committee Reshuffle
|
Committee Members Yvonne McGregor George Dobie Brian Moore Terry Sheehan Louise Vardon Kevin Vardon Robin Ellbourn |
||||||||||||
All News and Newsletters from September 2005 onwards can now be viewed on-line here |
||||||||||||||
Aug 2008/2009 Committee |
Committee Reshuffle
|
Committee Members Keven McGregor Yvonne McGregor Kay Dobie Louise Vardon Kevin Vardon |
||||||||||||
Kay Dobie |
George Dobie At the AGM Keven McGregor stepped down as Vice President and George Dobie was elected as his successor. |
Fred Payne |
22nd August 2008 Dearly missed. |
||||||||||||||
August 2008 |
Slim Dusty Heritage Centre project awarded $1.5 Million Dollars by New South Wales Government |
|||||||||||||
September 2008 |
Gawler Country Music Club...2008 Slim Dusty Tribute Show Sold Out. Great attendance ..Great Show.
|
|||||||||||||
October 2008 |
Shorty Ranger Memorial Bust installed in Kempsy Museum. |
|||||||||||||
November 2008 |
BLUE DOG CLOTHING Become a Sponsor of Gawler Country Music Club |
|||||||||||||
November 2008 |
South Australian Stampede held in Gawler. Artist included Wolveines, Davidson Brothers, Danny Hooper, Travis List.... |
|||||||||||||
December 2008 |
Club Member Neville Potter passed away on Christmas Eve 2008 Fond Memories... |
|||||||||||||
June 2009 |
A weekend away at Riverbush Cottages organised by Fred Payne was a great success with Country Music Workshops and Jam Sessions from early morning and late into the night. |
|||||||||||||
June 2009 |
Johnno is Gonno Saturday Night Country Radio Host John Nutting is takes off for 3 months long service leave. However, he returns for a farewell show and leaves his weekly show. permanently. in the capable hands of Felicity Urquart |
|||||||||||||
June 2009 | Newsletter Editor Les Parris Changes History by publishing Gawler Country Music Club Newsletter No: 194 for July 2009 with the incorrect date June 2010. | |||||||||||||
June 2009 |
Our local Country Artist Kristal Collins was judged Norfolk Air Trans Tasman Entertainer of the Year.Kristal 19 becomes the first South Australian to win the coveted award. |
|||||||||||||
Aug 2009/2010 Committee |
Committee Update Yvonne and Keven McGregor are not standing for re election to our Gawler Country Music Club committee this year. They have been active committee members since 1994excepting for 2 years. Barry Warren has stepped down as Treasurer and Louise Vardon takes over the task. Carlene Oliver has joined us as a new General Committee member. |
|||||||||||||
Aug 2009/2010 Committee |
Committee Reshuffle
|
Committee Members Kay Dobie Kevin Vardon Barry Warren Carlene Oliver |
||||||||||||
September 2009 |
2009 Slim Dusty Tribute Show organised by Gawler Country Music Club
|
|||||||||||||
SACCM's November 2009
Country Music Stampede at Gawler |
An excellent show which was eventually to lead to several concerns about the promotion and the future of Country Music in South Australia |
|||||||||||||
October 31st 2009 |
Gawler CM Club Member Fay Parker, Mother of Daryl and Nana to young entertainer Eliza passed away unexpectedly at Central Districts Hospital. |
|||||||||||||
Februar12th 2010 |
Slim Connor the Gentleman of Country Music and Our Club Member passed away on the morning of Friday 12th February 2010. |
|
||||||||||||
June 2010 |
South Australian Artist Angela Easson was judged Norfolk Air Trans Tasman Entertainer of the Year. The second South Australian to win the coveted award. |
|||||||||||||
July 2010 |
Gawler Country Music Club Member Caroline McIntyre who never missed our monthly shows, unexpectedly passed away. RIP Caroline |
Caroline McIntyre |
||||||||||||
2010/2011 Committee |
Committee Reshuffle
|
Committee Members Kay Dobie Kevin Vardon Carlene Oliver Allen Prow Clive Fossleitner |
||||||||||||
21st August 2010 |
Gawler CM Club hosts their 2010 Country Cavalcade Talent Quest! Held at Munno Para Bowling & Community Club S.A. |
|
||||||||||||
21st August 2010 |
Clive Fossleitner passed away suddenly after appearing on stage at the Talent Quest. Clive was awarded second place in the Male Vocals section. Clive had newly joined our Club' Committee. RIP Clive |
|
||||||||||||
19th September |
2010 Slim Dusty Tribute Show
|
|||||||||||||
October 2010 |
Newsletter Editor/Web Editor Les Parris resigns from his position after almost 6 years service. Gawler Country Music Club Inc is now seeking a Newsletter Editor/Web Editor ''Best wishes to my replacement...'' |
|
||||||||||||
December 2010 | Melody Feder and Nathaniel O'Brien win the Senior and Junior Champion of Champions Awards organised by SACCM. | |||||||||||||
December 2010 | The South Australian Council for Country Music SACCM hold their AGM to discuss their future. According to their publication The Prelude...the future of SACCM is somewhat undecided. | |||||||||||||
Also, according to the December 2010 edition of The SACCM's Prelude magazine, (published shortly after SACCM's AGM;) ... Chairman Fil Galantomos and CEO Joni Lee-Voyce each tendered their resignation effective as of 31/12/10. From the midst of uncertainty with resignations and a lack of funding... the positive action of Country Music Clubs, Local Musicians and Country Music Fans has resulted in a lifeline..... A Special General Meeting was called for... to be held Saturday 8th January 2011 at 1.00pm in Willaston Football Club. |
||||||||||||||
If there are any inaccuracies or omissions please contact the Club President The Web Editor does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. He will however make necessary alterations if and when formally requested. |
||||||||||||||
See you at our New Venue! ...The Grenville Centre ... Effective as from Sunday 7th August 2014 |
||||||||||||||
December 2014 |
Newsletter Editor/Web Editor Les Parris resigns from his position for the second time after 9 years service. Les wishes his successor Stewart Ray all the best as Gawler Country Music Club's Newsletter/Web Editor ''Good luck Stewart...'' Thanks to everyone for your support over the years... |
|
||||||||||||
![]() |
2015 - The Gawler Country Music Club media gets a face lift... | |||||||||||||
Home |
![]() |
August 3rd 2015 |
Committee member, fellow muso, and dear friend Les Parris passed away. May he Rock In Peace !!! |
April 2016 | Venue changed to Uley Road Hall |
May 2017 | Name change to Playford Country Music Club website URL http://playfordcountrymusicclub.org.au |