SLIM

Slim Dusty was a true Australian legend. He was a pioneer and will be sorely missed by Australia's country music family and his mountain of fans.

With Buddy Williams, Stan Coster and now the King of Country Music gone it is nearing the end of an era in Australian folklore. Smoky Dawson is still with us, and so is Chad Morgan and Shorty Ranger. Men who have been known as much for their hats as their music, and their hillbilly tags.

Slim was the voice that kept the link with 'Banjo' and Henry Lawson. He was the star that our bush ballad writers could sing through. He was 'the keeper of the flame' that crackled on a gidgee campfire. He sailed through the rock n' roll era that nearly stole our identity. And when we sing 'Waltzing Matilda' we will think of Slim around the campfire, outside the caravan that brought country music over gravel and dirt roads to all bush Australians. He was God to itinerant workers and truck drivers. He was God in aboriginal settlements.

What kept him going? I guess it was his love of recording another song and travelling with it around a wonderful land; the addiction I know only too well.

Slim's intensely competitive nature I'm sure came from the old days. From the in-the-face battle between tents at the showgrounds, where success was measured by drawing a bigger crowd than the bloke down the line.

Slim showed me the strength of a simple Aussie ballad. No frills. As pure and as straight to the point as the characters he sang about. And in my opinion we must make sure we never lose the essence of how we describe true blue Aussies.

And to Joy McKean, the woman behind him; she will always be the tower that supported the icon. I hope she continues to write great songs like 'Lights on the Hill'. For she too, is an icon to be recognised. My heart is most heavy for her and the family.

I know Slim would love me to say, on his behalf, Happy Campfires.

We'll miss you mate.