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Akubra backs Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey
Monday 23 January 2006
Planning is well advanced
to perpetuate the
memory of the late Slim
Dusty with a $12 million
Slim Dusty Centre in
Kempsey – his home
town.
AKUBRA – which also calls Kempsey home – is a proud supporter of the concept and, as a foundation member of the Slim Dusty Centre, has already contributed $25,000.
The project, four years in the planning, is nearing fruition with the N.S.W. Government last month naming a 12 hectare site, on the Pacific Highway near the southern entrance to the town, as the site.
The Lands Minister, Tony Kelly, said an investigation licence had been granted by the Department of Lands which was the first step towards building the centre.
“All going to plan, an area will be leased to the foundation to develop what will be a major tourist attraction for visitors from all over Australia," Mr Kelly said.
If all the necessary approvals are granted construction could start sometime in the next 12 months.
The Slim Dusty Centre will be a fitting tribute to celebrate and commemorate Australian icon and country music legend, Slim Dusty AO MBE.
Slim’s wife, Joy McKean and their family, have always been steadfast in their commitment to the project, both personally and financially.
Slim was intimately involved throughout the planning and approval process, prior to his death on September 19, 2003.
The Slim Dusty Foundation Ltd has four patrons: Dick Smith, Alan Jones, John Singleton and Lee Kernaghan.
There are 12 directors, including Joy McKean and their children Anne and Dr David Kirkpatrick, radio personality, Ray Hadley and a strong representation from the music industry, local business, government and the legal, accounting and business community.
The Centre will be a museum dedicated to Slim’s life and achievements and will also reflect true Australian culture through the eyes of Slim Dusty.
It will be exciting and interactive and will be something to appeal to Australian and overseas tourists alike.
In addition to the museum, the Centre will have the ability to cater for conferences, house a travelling exhibition area, restaurant and a huge outdoor entertainment area that will accommodate up to 2000 people.
The Mid North Coast region already enjoys millions of visitors each year.
Interest in the project has already spread far and wide with a 400% increase in enquiries at the Kempsey Visitors’ Centre about the proposed centre.
It will be built in close proximity to the Pacific Highway and its multipurpose facilities should ensure ongoing financial viability and independence.
A trip to the centre will be complimented by a tour link along the “Slim Dusty Way”, to Slim’s boyhood home on a farm at Nulla Nulla.
From there, it is a relatively short journey to the famous Pub With No Beer at Taylor’s Arm.
As a package, these destinations will create an inspiring and fulfilling tourist experience.
It was Slim’s wish to build
the museum in the country,
and fittingly, in his home
town.
As a community organisation, he saw the benefits that it could bring to regional Australia, and to all Australians, so that this important part of Australia’s heritage and culture would never be forgotten. Slim’s music and lyrics, have come to represent a way of life that no longer exists, and the Slim Dusty Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that it is preserved for the enjoyment and education of future generations, along with the extensive collection of memorabilia that Slim and his family collected from 60 years on the road, travelling from the City to the Coast, to the Outback and beyond.
In order to assist young musical artists, Slim also wanted to see the Centre develop scholarships, especially for young indigenous talent, and this will become an important role for the Foundation, once the Centre is built and operational.
It will also employ young indigenous tour guides within the centre with Slim’s strong association with indigenous people being one of the many displays within the museum.
It is also intended to stage travelling displays of Slim Dusty memorabilia, to take to remote Australian populations, to continue Slim’s tradition of ‘taking it to the bush’, and therefore allowing everyone access to these wonderful displays for their enjoyment and education.
Monday 23 January 2006
Planning is well advanced
to perpetuate the
memory of the late Slim
Dusty with a $12 million
Slim Dusty Centre in
Kempsey – his home
town.
AKUBRA – which also calls Kempsey home – is a proud supporter of the concept and, as a foundation member of the Slim Dusty Centre, has already contributed $25,000.
The project, four years in the planning, is nearing fruition with the N.S.W. Government last month naming a 12 hectare site, on the Pacific Highway near the southern entrance to the town, as the site.
The Lands Minister, Tony Kelly, said an investigation licence had been granted by the Department of Lands which was the first step towards building the centre.
“All going to plan, an area will be leased to the foundation to develop what will be a major tourist attraction for visitors from all over Australia," Mr Kelly said.
If all the necessary approvals are granted construction could start sometime in the next 12 months.
The Slim Dusty Centre will be a fitting tribute to celebrate and commemorate Australian icon and country music legend, Slim Dusty AO MBE.
Slim’s wife, Joy McKean and their family, have always been steadfast in their commitment to the project, both personally and financially.
Slim was intimately involved throughout the planning and approval process, prior to his death on September 19, 2003.
The Slim Dusty Foundation Ltd has four patrons: Dick Smith, Alan Jones, John Singleton and Lee Kernaghan.
There are 12 directors, including Joy McKean and their children Anne and Dr David Kirkpatrick, radio personality, Ray Hadley and a strong representation from the music industry, local business, government and the legal, accounting and business community.
The Centre will be a museum dedicated to Slim’s life and achievements and will also reflect true Australian culture through the eyes of Slim Dusty.
It will be exciting and interactive and will be something to appeal to Australian and overseas tourists alike.
In addition to the museum, the Centre will have the ability to cater for conferences, house a travelling exhibition area, restaurant and a huge outdoor entertainment area that will accommodate up to 2000 people.
The Mid North Coast region already enjoys millions of visitors each year.
Interest in the project has already spread far and wide with a 400% increase in enquiries at the Kempsey Visitors’ Centre about the proposed centre.
It will be built in close proximity to the Pacific Highway and its multipurpose facilities should ensure ongoing financial viability and independence.
A trip to the centre will be complimented by a tour link along the “Slim Dusty Way”, to Slim’s boyhood home on a farm at Nulla Nulla.
From there, it is a relatively short journey to the famous Pub With No Beer at Taylor’s Arm.
As a package, these destinations will create an inspiring and fulfilling tourist experience.
It was Slim’s wish to build
the museum in the country,
and fittingly, in his home
town.
As a community organisation, he saw the benefits that it could bring to regional Australia, and to all Australians, so that this important part of Australia’s heritage and culture would never be forgotten. Slim’s music and lyrics, have come to represent a way of life that no longer exists, and the Slim Dusty Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that it is preserved for the enjoyment and education of future generations, along with the extensive collection of memorabilia that Slim and his family collected from 60 years on the road, travelling from the City to the Coast, to the Outback and beyond.
In order to assist young musical artists, Slim also wanted to see the Centre develop scholarships, especially for young indigenous talent, and this will become an important role for the Foundation, once the Centre is built and operational.
It will also employ young indigenous tour guides within the centre with Slim’s strong association with indigenous people being one of the many displays within the museum.
It is also intended to stage travelling displays of Slim Dusty memorabilia, to take to remote Australian populations, to continue Slim’s tradition of ‘taking it to the bush’, and therefore allowing everyone access to these wonderful displays for their enjoyment and education.
