GUNNEDAH’s acclaimed sculptor Tanya Bartlett was beaming as her magnificent sculpture of country music legend Slim Dusty and his wife Joy McKean was unveiled in Tamworth last Friday.
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A large crowd gathered in Peel Street for the much anticipated event, with NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson paying tribute to Australian country music’s first couple.
Overcome with emotion when the statue was unveiled by Mr O’Farrell and country singer, John Williamson, Joy McKean said her husband would have been as thrilled as she was with the tribute.
She said it felt a “bit surreal” as she admired the $180,000 sculpture created by Tanya Bartlett using a 1957 photograph of the young couple when they were first starting out in the industry.
Mr O’Farrell said the statue of Slim Dusty and Joy McKean recognises the enormous contribution the couple made to Australia’s music heritage.
“This year marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of the Australian icon and country music legend, Slim Dusty, who was a regular headline act at the festival,” he said.
“The NSW Government is a strong supporter of regional arts and culture, particularly events such as the Tamworth Country Music Festival that
celebrate local artists, provide a launch pad for emerging talent, and supports jobs.”
Tamworth Regional Council donated $50,000 to the cause, with the State Government contributing $30,000 and a further $40,000 coming from the Federal Government, along with donations from a number of Tamworth businesses and country music industry identities and organisations.
Mr O’Farrell quipped that it’s not very often that three tiers of government work together so well “but this time we actually got it right”.
Tamworth Regional Council Director of Business and Events, John Sommerlad and Max Ellis, who has played a central role in marketing and promoting Australian country music, were both heavily involved in the fund-raising program.
They both paid tribute to former Member for New England Tony Windsor for his efforts at government level to secure funding and to Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson for his ongoing support.
Country music singer John Williamson said he felt honoured and privileged to help unveil the sculpture of Slim and Joy.
“Tamworth already has the Golden Guitar but it now has the Holy Grail,” he said.
“It is so wonderful to have Joy here today to give the statue her blessing.
“I doubt I would have had the courage to do what they have done – they are true pioneers of the country music industry travelling around Australia in their caravan. We owe a lot to our pioneers of country music.”
Tamworth Regional Mayor, Col Murray, has been right behind the monument since it was first mooted a number of years ago.
He said the statue was “long overdue recognition of Slim and Joy’s contribution to the industry and their role in making the Tamworth Country Music Festival one of the world’s largest major music events”.
“Slim and Joy who not only played a key role in establishing Australia’s country music industry, but who supported and helped build Tamworth as Australia’s Country Music Capital,” Cr Murray said.
“We are truly honoured to have Joy and her family here to celebrate this momentous occasion.”
The couple’s daughter Anne Kirkpatrick expressed her appreciation the community and thanked the committee and all its supporters for “creating a true legacy to the ongoing memory of Slim Dusty and Joy McKean for generations to come”.
For Tanya Bartlett, the unveiling was a great relief as she received the “nod of approval” from Joy McKean, who said it was “remarkable”.
Tanya’s proud parents Gwenda and Gerry Bartlett attended the unveiling along with her son Isaac and his dad Tony Strong.
As the statue was unveiled Slim Dusty’s voice came over the loudspeakers singing one of the popular songs from his later years “Looking Forward, Looking Back”.
The launch of the statue comes hot on the heels of Tanya’s Mary Poppins erected in Bowral on December 7 and last year’s Country Music Festival unveiling of Smoky Dawson.
Tanya’s connection with Tamworth continues to grow, with her sculpture of the Waler Memorial in Bicentennial Park attracting visitors from all over Australia.
Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said Tamworth is regarded, both locally and internationally, as the home of country music in Australia thanks to influential artists such as Slim Dusty.
