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