Long live the Dead Livers

Written by Dave Dawson -  this article first appeared in the hard copy April 2016 issue of "Country Music Capital News" (ISSN 1440-995X) published by Fairfax Media.

 Dual liver transplant recipients Brendan Mitchell and Michael Schack

The Dead Livers

Dead Livers bassist Michael Schack is recovering after being the second member of the veteran outlaw band to have a successful liver transplant.
Schack, 66, was released from the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg in March just before another of his bands, Lost in Suburbia, performed his Dead Livers song Star of the West at the 40th Port Fairy Folk Festival. The song, a tribute to the band's musical soirees at the famed Port Fairy hotel once owned by former Collingwood football star Ronnie Wearmouth, is on the Dead Livers' debut CD "Greatest misses" released on the eve of their 20th anniversary "Ironically I'm the second member of the Dead Livers to have a liver transplant", Schack revealed, as pedal steel guitarist Brendan Mitchell celebrated 16 years with his new liver he received before the band recorded its second CD "Reaching to the Western Sky". Mitchell wrote the band's epic "Ballad of a dead liver", also on their Greatest Misses CD.
"I'm very disappointed I'm not playing at Port Fairy but you can't have everything" Schack joked about the festival he has played many times near his home at Yarpturk near Koroit. The veteran musician and is now in post operative rehab in Melbourne. Touring singer-songwriter Steve Earle also filmed a video tribute message to Schack at Port Fairy after visiting the nearby Gnotuk studio of father and son musicians Steve and Daniel Gilchrist who built custom made mandolins for the 7 times wed Texan troubadour. Earle has been playing Gilchrist mandolins since the late nineties when he recorded his album The Mountain with the Del McCoury band - also long time recipients of Gilchrist family instruments.

Hip Shot Blues Band

Hipshot Blues formed amidst the grunge-soaked 1990’s when teenagers Matt Willis and Henry Bird discovered they shared a passion for the cleaner, blues sounds of a by-gone era.With the addition of bass player Glen Board and harmonica man Andrew Flook, the band quickly became favourites on Warrnambool’s widely respected blues scene. Hipshot rode the wave of popularity created by the Warrnambool Blues Club, promoter and raconteur Wally Edney and bands such as Mudcats, Hot Tamale Baby and Blue Heat.As “the youngest working blues band in Australia” the group enjoyed the culture among the local band scene that encouraged jamming and guesting at each others shows. The Criterion Hotel became home base for Hipshot Blues during the early 90’s with countless shows including highlight supports with national touring acts Bondi Cigars and D.I.G.
In 1994 the four piece recorded an original song for The Real Australian Blues CD Vol. 2 and followed up with shows at marquee Melbourne venues The Palace and Saint Kilda’s Esplanade Hotel.After disbanding in '95 Willis and Board continued on together with stella Melbourne act Howlin’ Time and were joined again by Bird and fellow South West bluesman John Hudson in Bertha’s New Shoes and instrumental band Doug. Andrew Flook was sought after to lend his experience to young roots musician Luke Watt among others. Upon returning to Warrnambool from a grueling stint on Melbourne’s live music circuit Willis and Bird teamed up again, most notably in Piffen Yonnies.All original members were on stage to help raise money for the Blues For Peace fund raising event at The Loft on Friday 27th May 2016.

Marcia Howard

Matt Neal in Warrnambool Standard 10th May 2016
WARRNAMBOOL singer-songwriter Marcia Howard has gone from Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year to catching the attention of pop star Delta Goodrem on TV talent show The Voice.
Howard, who was a member of Goanna alongside her brother Shane, sang Sting’s Fields Of Gold and a chorus of her brother’s signature tune Solid Rock.
Goodrem will be Howard’s “coach” going into the next round.
Howard, who is now based in Melbourne, was a highlight of this year’s Port Fairy Folk Festival, where she was named Artist of the Year and launched her Nashville Sessions EP.
She is also performing at the National Celtic Festival on June 10-13 and will soon release a book and CD called Holywells To Waterholes.

Gaby Steel

Gaby Steel began producing music recording and videos in 2014 at the age of 14. Her band Aluminium Couch recorded with the Kool Skools program. She has performed at the Koroit Irish festival, the Port Fairy Twilight Market, Rafferty's Tavern and various other places. In July 2015 she published a video on you tube of her version of the Vance Joy song Riptide (with Luke Bartlett).

Piffin Yonnies

The Piffin Yonnies was the name of a Warrnambool band (with the name being a variation on the Rolling Stones). Musicians included Matt Willis (drums), Matt Hewson (sax) and Henry Bird (bass). In 1999 they recorded an album called "Rubberneck" which included the Warrnambool centric track "Which way to the Whales".


This  article was published in "Comfusion" 1999:
As everyone must surely know by now, local band PIFFEN YONNIES have been kickin' some serious butt. Their unconventional line-up of instruments consisting of groov-acious drums (Matt Willis), tenor sax (Matt Hewson) and a very funkin' bass (Henry Bird), has seen them through the local heat and regional final of the Australasian ASSOCIATION OF CAMPUS ACTIVITIES, national campus band competition. Then on Thursday September 10, they won the State final, which was held at the Corner Hotel in Richmond. The contest, which has been running for 8 years, is the biggest 'original band' competition in the world. Before they even had a chance to retune their instruments they were on stage at the Lady Bay funkin out and winning the regional heat of 'THE PUSH MANNYS Battle of the Bands'. What next? The regional final in Colac, and guess what? They won that too, landing them a spot at the State final of the competition at the PUSHOVER ( all-ages drug and alcohol free festival ) on November 21st at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The YONNIES Melbourne profile is already getting huge after a live-to-air show on RRR Radio, and a gig at the Brunswick Street Festival on Sunday the 27th of September as part of the Melbourne FRINGE. If there's any truth to the rumour that the boys are relocating next year, the Melbourne punters will be ready for them (they'd better learn to dance). So what now then? How about a gig supporting one of Australia's biggest bands of the moment "The Living End" when they play in Warrnambool on Thursday 5th November. If you want to support the PIFFEN YONNIES when they compete in the National Finals of the Campus Bands Competition at the Prince of Wales in St Kilda on the 8th October, there is a bus running down and back on the night. Contact Mic Murphy in the Student Association Office at TAFE on 5564 8863 from the 5th of October. YONNIE YONNIE YONNIE 'Have you piffed one lately?’

Piffen Yonnies in state final
(Warrnambool Standard 24/09/1998 - Arts and entertainment compiled by Lara O'Toole and Anthony Bunn) - Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1998. All rights reserved.
One of Warrnambool's latest sensations, the Piffen Yonnies, have garnered a berth in the state final of The Push/Manny's Battle of the Bands at the Pushover Festival in Melbourne later this year. Colac Otway Shire youth development officer, Karen Paton said the band came out on top after the regional final in Colac last weekend. Ms. Paton said four bands from around the south-west competed.

Local band earns national distinction
(Warrnambool Standard 10/10/1998) - Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1998. All rights reserved.
Warrnambool band Piffen Yonnies won third place in the national final of a campus band competition.
The three-piece band was spurred on by a strong group of Warrnambool supporters at St. Kilda's Prince of Wales Hotel for the Thursday night show. Drummer Matt Willis said the band performed well to come in behind Big Wally (Tasmania) and Plummet (NSW). Willis said after its success, the four-month old band was looking forward to relaxing. "We can't wait to play some normal gigs, where it's not competitive", he said.

Riding momentum
(Warrnambool Standard 15/10/1998) - Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1998. All rights reserved.
After a few months, what started out as "just a bit of fun" has turned into a big success for three Warrnambool musicians,The Piffen Yonnies, fresh from pulling off third place in the national final of the Victorian Campus Band competition, are ready to hit the studio to record is first CD. Drummer Matt Willis says the band hopes to have a record out by the end of this year, "while a bit of momentum's going". After a win in the regional final of the Push-Manny's Battle of the Bands, Piffen Yonnies has secured a spot in the lineup of Pushover, a showcase for Australian talent in November. The band also performed at this month's Melbourne Fringe Festival, and are gearing up for a support gig with alternative popsters the Living End in Warrnambool on November 5. Matt says the band i s looking forward doing more live shows, now the competitions are out of the way."We can't wait to play some normal gigs, where it's not competitive". Spurred on by its success so far, it is now full steam ahead for Matt, bassist Henry Bird and saxophonist Matt Hewson. "It started out as a bit of fun - I think we're going to put a bit more time into it now", Matt says.

Band's dream run at an end
Warrnambool Standard 23/11/1998 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1998. All rights reserved
A DREAM run by Warrnambool rock band The Piffon [sic] Yonnies came to a peaceful end on Saturday when technical problems marred their bid to win the Pushover '98 Battle of the Bands title in Melbourne.However, the three south-west musicians - Henry Bird, Matt Willis and Matt Hewson - were yesterday taking the defeat in their stride. "We had technical troubles which meant the saxophone couldn't be heard until two-thirds through the performance," Matt Willis explained."We were disappointed, because we wanted to play well, but the crowd was really good and still got into it; even the people there that didn't know us got into the music." Willis and Bird yesterday announced Saturday's performance would be the Piffon [sic] Yonnies' last on the competition scene. The three now are keen to get into some longer, more involving performances - and a paid gig. "We're just looking forward to playing in gigs that aren't five minutes loading time, five minutes play, five minutes to pack up," Bird said. "We prefer to play a good hour set and work with the crowd, rather than just show them a couple of our songs." The band's experience was shared by a large Warrnambool audience, who made the trip to Melbourne to support the trio. Willis added it was this support that was also fuelling the Piffon [sic] Yonnie's desire to "come home". "These guys, particularly the Music Industry Skills course people, have upported us so much. We want to give back to them, say thank you and repay all the work they have done." The group will mark its renewed focus with a performance at an MIS concert tomorrow night at The Gallery.

Yonnies home
Warrnambool Standard 29th April 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
FORMER Warrnambool band Piffen Yonnies will head home this weekend to launch its debut CD Rubberneck
at the Criterion Hotel. Bassist and vocalist Henry Bird said the band was looking forward to playing in Warrnambool
again after making the big move to Melbourne two months ago. “It’s great playing down there (but) it’s good to be with a local crowd,” said Bird, who reckons it will also be a good opportunity to get his mum to do his washing. The trio has not quite severed links with the south-west since heading east. The boys have been working with former Warrnambool promoter Dean Ray and will play tonight at The Tote in Collingwood with fellow ex-Warrnambool bands Thirteen and Nutshell. Bird said getting established in Melbourne was taking time but the gigs were starting to roll in. “Things are going really well, we’ve appeared on TV on Channel 31, and we’ve got a stack of gigs coming up,” he said. Rubberneck also was taking off after its release a fortnight ago, even though the band hadn’t got around to promoting it yet, he said.Piffen Yonnies is making the most of its Warrnambool visit on Saturday, with three appearances planned. Bird, Matt Hewson (sax and vocals) and Matt Willis (drums and vocals) will play at Capricorn Records in the morning and later in the day at a youth forum at the Warrnambool surf club. The Rubberneck launch will take place at the Criterion Hotel in the main bar on Saturday night, with guests The Monaros and Warrnambool comedian Matthew Monk. 

Local lampoon - CD review
Warrnambool Standard 13th April 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
WARRNAMBOOL band Piffen Yon-nies’ new CD Rubberneck is a superb debut, living up to the band’s live reputation.The three-piece comprisingMatt Willis (drums and vocals), Matt Hewson (sax and vocals) and Henry Bird(bass and vocals) moved to Melbourne recently in the hope of bigger and better things. However, Warrnambool fans will delight in the unashamedly local flavor of the songs on Rubberneck, from King’s Head to the hilarious Which Way To The Whales?.Few targets are safe from the Piffen Yonnies lampoonery, from the rubberneck of the title track with her Shipwreck Coast stubby holder to the more than ample subject of Hefty Lady. The unique line-up of bass, sax and drums gives the Piffen Yonnies a sound that is original and deeply funky. Savor this debut from a trio that could be destined for much bigger things, and certainly deserve success.

Yonnies back to play at the Cri
Warrnambool Standard 26th August 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
ONE of the south-west’s favorite trios will be returning to Warrnambool this weekend to ask the perennial question — have you piffed one lately? Yes, it’s the Piffen Yonnies, back from the pursuit of fame and fortune in Melbourne to perform before a home-town audience at the Criterion Hotel on Saturday night. And according to bassist Henry Bird, the band has not been idle since its last visit to Warrnambool more than three months ago. Piffen Yonnies has been playing plenty of gigs around Melbourne, increasing its profile and getting some good independent radio airplay. The unsigned artists’ show on public radio station PBS has just named the trio its second most played artist, and 3RRR has awarded it the status of second most popular independent act. ("We’re shooting for number one next year,"  Bird adds.) The Yonnies have also gained some airplay on the ABC’s youth network Triple J and made several appearances on public television station Channel 31. Bird says the band is hoping to be back in the recording studio by the end of the year to follow up on its hugely successful debut self-titled album. That record is still selling well in Warrnambool and at gigs in Melbourne, but the band’s sound has progressed somewhat in the meantime. Bird, sax player Matt Hewson and drummer Matt Willis have been exploring some new sounds, including a splash of electronica, to create a style that is "a lot more modern", the bassist says. All the hard work appears to be paying off, with approaches from booking agents and touring companies for possible interstate and overseas tours next year. But for now, the Yonnies are looking forward to heading home for this weekend’s gig, away from grey, cramped Melbourne. "We always get a great response (in Warrnambool) and it’s a chance to catch up with friends and family." Piffen Yonnies will be appearing at the Criterion with The Monaros.

Yonnies on tonight
Warrnambool Standard 22nd June 2000 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard  2000 All rights reserved
FORMER South West TAFE National Campus Band competition winner Piffen Yonnies will head up an evening of end-of-semester entertainment tonight. Piffen Yonnies, which was the South West TAFE entrants in the 1998 campus band competition and went on to win the state final at the Corner Hotel in Richmond, will perform at the Criterion Hotel tonight to celebrate the end of the TAFE semester. The Yonnies’ unique Aussie lyrics and infectious live performance will be a highlight of the night which also boasts an open mike allowing upcoming original talent to take the spotlight. There will also be free pool and jukebox, a dinner and movie screening. The night starts at the Criterion Hotel at 5pm. For more information contact South West TAFE student association. 

The Stump Jumpers

The Stump Jumpers were a Warrnambool band featuring local guitarist and singer songwriter Luke Watt who has since moved to Castlemaine via Melbourne. The band's album "New Ground" was released in 2003 and Luke went on the forge a healthy solo career. Other band members were Andrew Flook (harmonica), Marty Lemmens (drums), Larry Lawson (bass). Luke returned to the Loft in Warrnambool for the Blues for Peace event on May 27th 2016.

Claire Anne Taylor

Claire Anne Taylor grew up in Tasmania's ancient Tarkine rainforest, where she was born into her father's hands in the family barn amongst her five siblings. Her father Rob Taylor was originally from Allansford and played in a Warrnambool band called GRED. Her mother, Anne Willis is the niece of Joe Willis of the Warrnambool band the Ghost Riders. After winning the Byron Bluesfest Busking Competition, Taylor relocated to Byron Bay to record her debut album, ‘Elemental’ - released March 2016. Recorded at Studios 301 in Byron Bay with esteemed producer Murray Burns.

The ABC website (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-05/claire-anne-taylor-home-in-tasmania/7384348 ) published the following in May 2016:

The distinctive and powerful voice of Claire Anne Taylor was cultivated in a Tasmanian bush home, designed to be open to musical ideas and a do-it-yourself ethos.Parents Robert and Anne Taylor built their home at Milabena in the 1970s with old and recycled materials.They chose to have six home births and reared six little musicians, in a rustic open-plan home known as The Barn.And it was,
originally, an actual barn. A shed used for storage and parties based around a love of live music.Youngest daughter, Claire, grew up among the rough hewn framework, the music, the apple orchards just outside, and the ever-present birdsong those apples attracted.Back at her beloved kitchen table — resting at the end of her first national tour promoting her debut album Elemental — the singer looks at ease among the homegrown pumpkins, tomatoes and apples.And the owner of a voice that has reviewers stumped for comparisons, said that everything she brought to the table — musically and creatively — was grown right here as well.

Brady James

Brady James is the western victorian troubadour first heard on “Girl In The Sun” a collaborative effort with breakthrough Australian hip hop artist Allday in 2013. In 2013 the Warrnambool Standard reported "He features on a top 20 album, is getting national airplay and has been meeting with producers in Los Angeles.It’s safe to say that Warrnambool singer-songwriter Brady James is a star on the rise.It’s been a rapid rise for James, who played in Warrnambool bands 2 Days Previous and Konnor". On April 11 2016 he announced on facebook  "Tomorrow I'm flying from Melbourne to the Gold Coast, QLD to record a brand new album".

Chalked

Chalked is the name of a  young band comprising Sam Pyers (lead guitar and vocals), Declan Murphy (drums), Harison Ernst (bass guitar) and Connor Dwyer (rhythm guitar). Their song "Pretend" was included on the album Nick's Kids which was Emmanuel College's entry in the 2012 Kool Schools project. Kool Skools promotes, develops and supports a diverse range of talent and all genres of contemporary music writing and performance. Each school or project gets to work within a professional studio in either Melbourne or Sydney, recording an album of original music by their own school bands. Each project receives 450 CDs containing their own music, graphics and photos and videos are published on the web. An additional 50 Cds from each project are used for promotional and archive sets.

Warrnambool College Jazz Band

The Warrnambool College Jazz Band of 1996 recorded a number of tracks under the direction of band leader Gary Hommelhoff. The band that year included Julian Gilchrist (son of Steve Gilchrist the famed mandolin maker), Paije Lucas (daughter of Peter Lucas and Sue Lucas of "Hot Tamale Baby"), Angus Franklin (son of Gavin Franklin and later member of Architecture In Helsinki and The Smallgoods) and Matt Hewson (later a member of the Piffin Yonnies and  Blue Heat). One track recorded was SERANATA.

Fiona Kershaw

Fiona Kershaw began her musical journey and songwriting in her home town of Rockhampton QLD . After years of travel and performing around Australia as an independent soloist with her guitar , Fiona now lives in Victoria. Festivals Fiona has performed her original songs at include- Yungaburra folk festival in far north QLD, winter moon Festival near Mackay QLD, Village Arts, Yeppoon, QLD, Evolve, Mission beach QLD, Port Fairy Folk Festival VIC, Katoomba Woodstock festival NSW, Denmark Easter Festival , WA, Upwelling Festival, Portland VIC. Fiona sang three originals at The Tarerer Showcase/Aus music Festival, Warrnambool,VIC at The Lighthouse Theatre 31-10-2015. Fiona won first prize in a national songwriting competition in 2001 through ASA Australian SongwritersAssociation, for her song "Infinite" in the space category. Her song " Rain" uploaded for Triple j unearthed, was written in Dartmoor Victoria in 2010 and Fiona sent guitar and vocal tracks to Stephen Edwards in Sydney, then later sent harmonies and violin via emailing from home PC recording, Stephen added bass , drums , strings and mixed song in his studio. The project of Rain went for a few years till 2013 .This song to Fiona is for victims and carers and families struggling and fighting cancer, and other illness our loved ones suffer from and all we want to do is take the pain away from them and make them well again. Music has become to Fiona more than enjoyment and gigs but a way to express and release emotions, music is the essence of living , dreaming and Being who we are.
Fiona's recent additions to Triple J Unearthed include "Leave me be" and "University Café", written and recorded on her iPad App Garage Band, whilst being a student at Deakin University in Victoria.
Track: Leave me be

Matt Hewson

MATT HEWSON is a talented multi instrumentalist (saxophone and bass) who undertook the TAFE (Warrnambool) music industry skills course in 1998. He has played with Jon Emry and others in many Warrnambool bands over the years, including It’s Your Thing, Piffen Yonnies, Frisky Go Cats, Tank Dilemma, 21st Century Ox, The Owls and The 80 Aces. In 2011 he produced his own jazz album.

Brian Mitchell

BRIAN MITCHELL was a graduate from the 1998 South West TAFE (Warrnambool) music course. He wrote and recorded the song "Cold winter blues". This title has been used for a number of different songs. In 1996 Shirley Scott recorded it on her album "On a clear day". Shirley was an American hard bop and soul-jazz organist. She was best known for working with her husband, Stanley Turrentine, and with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, both saxophonists. She was known as "Queen of the Organ". It was also the title of a song by Bill McAdoo and Pete Seeger which was recorded in 1960 on an  album featured traditional and original songs that deal with love, loss and, most strikingly, the American civil rights movement.

Mick(Mic) Michael Murphy

MICHAEL MURPHY - Is a former Warrnambool musician who featured prominently in several bands including It's your thing and various lineups  of The Hog Stompin Zydegators and The Kilmurphys. His bio from the It's your thing days indicates he was initially inspired by Pink Floyd and Sting and subsequently by James Brown and the Average White Band. He also graduated from the TAFE music industry course. He left the HSZ in 2003 but re-joined sometime later, before forming the Irish band The Kilmurphys with Emily Kilkenny.

Kilmurphys

THE KILMURPHYS were formed by Mic Murphy and Emily Kilkenny and retained the name when Mic was replaced by Ciaran Keegan. They have been popular at the Koroit Irish Festival and St. Pat's day at Mickey Bourke's Koroit Hotel.
Their 4 track demo CD included cover  versions of some the most popular Irish songs. You Couldn't Have Come At A Better Time is by Irish singer Luka Bloom.

Mark Halliwell

MARK HALLIWELL is a talented guitarist from Warrnambool has produced a number of solo CDs and has played in several bands including the Chosen Few, jazz nights at the Hotel Warrnambool and more recently with Kayla Dwyer. In 2012  he put together a  prog rock studio-based project called Illuuminus which was two years in the making. An earlier solo album was called Trips of the trade which included such tracks as the Smoke song and Maranoia.

WARRNAMBOOL musicians Heidi Gass and Mark Halliwell departed from the usual EP or album approach with their 2017 recording project and decided to release a single every three months or so. MARK  is a talented guitarist from Warrnambool has produced a number of solo CDs and has played in several bands including the Chosen Few, jazz nights at the Hotel Warrnambool and with Kayla Dwyer. In 2012  he put together a  prog rock studio-based project called Illuuminus which was two years in the making. Heidi is a local musician and music teacher. The two have collaborated regularly over the past 12 years but it has usually been as guests on each other’s projects. This new recording project was about being equal partners on each song.

Warrnambool Standard July 21st 2011: THE latest project from progrock guitarist Mark Halliwell is taking shape in the US. The Warrnambool musician — whose projects have included Aural Sculpture and The Chosen Few, as well as solo albums — has put together a studio-based project called Illuuminus. Halliwell has been recording the Illuuminus album over the past two years, with drums recorded in Melbourne and the rest of the record put together in his own studio Zala Music Studio in Warrnambool. Now the recordings are in the hands of American mixer Ron Saint Germain, who has begun mixing the 15-track album. Saint Germain mixed such classic ’90s albums as Soundgarden’s Badmotorfinger, Tool’s Undertow and Sonic Youth’s Goo. Halliwell said the album will also be mastered in the US. The guitarist is hoping to bring the recording project out of the studio and onto the live stage once the album is completed. The album features south-west musicians Steven Garner (vocals), Darren Ely (guitars) and Heidi Gass (keys/vocals) as well as Melbourne dummer Daniel Luttick.

Jon Emry

JON EMRY was a one time drummer in the Motorvators and has played in many district acts including Tank Dilemma, Andy Alberts and the Walkabouts, Shane Howard and regular visitors The Borderers. His talented percussive skills have taken him on tours of Europe and Ireland and he is still in much demand. In 1998 he did the music industry skills course at TAFE and his song "Expressions" was recorded in that period.

Emu Creek

Emu Creek (or Emu Creek Bush Band) was a band in Warrnambool formed by Peter and Sue Lucas in the early 1980s. In 1985 the Lucas's left to form "Eureka" and the Emu Creek name was carried on by Jon Clegg who gathered Heather Goddard, Dennis Taberner, Peter Lawlor and Michael Schack to continue the band. Lineup changes over the years led to the inclusion of Rohan Keert and Barry Williams.

Port Fairy on a New Year's Eve - Barry Williams, Jon Clegg, Rohan Keert, Heather Goddard, Michael Schack

On the back of a truck in Hamilton - Peter Lawlor, Michael Schack, Jon Clegg, Heather Goddard, Dennis Taberner

Port Fairy on a New Year's Eve - Barry Williams, Jon Clegg, Rohan Keert, Heather Goddard, Michael Schack

Posed photo: Back: Dennis Taberner, Michael Schack, middle: Heather Goddard, Jon Clegg, front: Barry Williams

 

Barry Williams, Jon Clegg, Rohan Keert, Heather Goddard, Michael Schack, on the Warrnambool Civic Green

 

Emu Creek 1985 version: From left, Peter Lawlor, Michael Schack, Jon Clegg, Heather Goddard and Dennis Taberner

In Liebig St Warrnambool around 1990 - From left, Peter Lawlor, Michael Schack, Jon Clegg, Heather Goddard and Dennis Taberner

Concrete offer baffles emus
(Melbourne Truth 20th Feb, 1988) - written by David Dawson. Reproduced with permission from the author. Copyright restrictions apply to further use.
The slab with no beer. Bush band Emu Creek got a shock when invited to perform at the opening of the Byaduk Bicentennial Slab. Byaduk, a tiny town (population about 50), between Hamilton and Macarthur, [which] was once voted Victoria's most boring town. "When we got the invite we thought Bob Hawke had discovered a discarded slab from his liquid days and donated it to Byaduk", bassist Mick Schack said. "But the township was given a bicentennial grant of $3000 and decided to erect a concrete slab instead of a barbacue area". The function raised an extra $2800 to decorate the slab. "At present the slab is used by children with remote control toys and skate boards" Schack said.

New breed of Emu
(Warrnambool Standard 6th June 1991)  - Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1991.
Warrnambool district band Emu Creek will revive the entertainment pulse of Port Fairy's Star of the West Hotel when it performs there tomorrow night. Emu Creek will be the first group to play at the hotel in a number of months and will provide a new line-up on the night. Guitarist Barry Williams joins the band as lead and Heather Goddard has moved to keyboards and accordion.

New dance craze to hit town
(Warrnambool Standard Dec. 2nd 1993 by Natalie Staaks) - Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1993.
Local band Emu Creek, renowned for its bush dance calling, is about to spearhead the entry into Warrnambool of a new dance craze. Popularly known as "boot scootin", the dance is essentially country line dancing with some added theatricality. It is not an entirely new phenomenon, though it gained a new audience through the hit record "Achey Breaky Heart" and the accompanying "Achey Breaky" dance. For Emu Creek, it is a logical extension to the increased country music emphasis in the band's repertoire, and to the attention paid to structured dancing in their performances. Those wishing to kick up a storm can expect expert tuition from dance caller Jon Clegg and partner Heather Goddard. Emu Creek can be caught "boot scootin" at the Caledonian Hotel on Fridays from December 3. 

Photo taken at Jim Bonnett's 70th birthday in Yarpturk 29th Nov. 1992

Bootscootin' at Killarney Hotel - early 1990s

1987

Photos from Koroit Irish Festival 2016

Buskers

 Parade

 

Michael Schack

 Original Committee members

Rubber Band

 

 

Brett Holbrook, Lex Paton, Barry Lowther

 

Brett Holbrook, Rob Graff, Lex Paton

 

Jo Brooks

 

Dennis Taberner, Leamon Chambers

Terry Sim

 Michael Schack, Melissa Bowman, Trevor McKenzie

 Wednesday Whistlers

  Wednesday Whistlers

 Zeon

 Wednesday Whistlers

  Wednesday Whistlers

 Wednesday Whistlers

Koroit Irish Festival 2016

Koroit is ready to shine

April 28, 2016, Warrnambool Standard.

THOSE heading to Koroit this weekend are in for an experience to remember.
The town will host one of the biggest events in its history with the staging of the 20th Koroit Irish Festival.
Beginning on Friday and continuing through Saturday and Sunday, the festival is a celebration of the towns rich Irish heritage.
Over the past two decades, the Koroit Irish Festival has attracted some of the best Irish genre performers in the country.

PARADE: The Koroit Street Procession is full of colour and music, with a presentation of the 32 Irish county flags. Picture: Angela Milne.

That will continue in 2016 with a high-quality line-up of talent to hit the stage.
The Borderers, Mike Brady, Maria Forde and Bhan Tre, all past headline acts, have been lured back for the milestone occasion.
Traditional Irish band Cill-Airne is also high on the bill and have also been honoured as the Artist of the Year.
This advertising feature is sponsored by the following businesses. Clink on the links to learn more:

• Koroit Hotel 
• O`Shea Ryan Academy of Irish Dance
• Koroit Bakehouse 
• Roma Britnell 
• Koroit Pharmacy
• Koroit Newsagency

The festival will also announce its 20 Greatest Irish Songs, an exercise sure to create plenty of interest.
The Australian Danny Boy Championships and the Beks-Bowman Emerging Talent Award will again be hotly contested.
And while music will again be a highlight, the Koroit Irish Festival has grown into so much more over the past two decades.
Spud picking and peeling, Irish pizza and soda bread making competitions, an art exhibition, market stalls, a kids area and the famous street procession will all take centre stage at some time on Saturday.
On Friday evening, the Koroit Theatre will be the venue for the opening night spectacular, featuring, music, trivia, comedy and even a hypnotist.
On Sunday, the festival will host a Gaelic Games Carnival with teams coming from Melbourne to take on the locals in women’s and men’s Gaelic football and Camogie (women’s hurling).
Koroit Irish Festival president Chris Evans said the variety of entertainment on offer at the festival is a major attraction.
“People can’t believe what a varied program of events we have over the weekend,” Mr Evans said.
“There is so much to do, no matter what interests you we are confident that there is something at the festival that will appeal. We want people to come out to Koroit and have a great time. It’s a great community event and our main aim is to have a fun weekend and show off what a great little town we have.”