What fun they must have had to the tune of that accordion! This is one of the oldest photos in the Box Hill Historical Society collection, depicting an Easter picnic at Sandringham in 1887.
What fun they must have had to the tune of that accordion! This is one of the oldest photos in the Box Hill Historical Society collection, depicting an Easter picnic at Sandringham in 1887.
![]() |
| Bob Bolton |
Sadly, Bob Bolton died recently. He was best known for his extensive photographic work at folk festivals, concerts and anywhere else folksong, music and dance were performed. He was the receiver of a National Folk Festival Lifetime Achiever Award and had a strong interest in all aspects of the bush and its people., lifestyle and history.
Obituaries will no doubt be appearing soon, but in the meantime here is the citation from his NFF award, courtesy of Sandra Nixon. You can also access some of Bob’s work on the Sydney Bush Music Club site and on Facebook through Graham McDonald’s digitisation of some of Bob’s very large archive of photographs.
THE FAMILY FOLKLORE SHOW
What is ‘a wig-wam for a goose’s bridle’?
Come and find out at the National Folk Festival in Canberra this easter. Join us for an interactive journey through the rich traditions of family life and children’s lore. Presented by:
Olya Willis, Christina Mimmocchi, Judy McKinty, Maureen Seal, Rob Willis and Graham Seal.
Saturday 8 April, 3.50-4.50pm, Trocadero
Historian Noelene Kyle has published an excellent article on Irish fiddle traditions in Nulla Nulla Creek, NSW. The musical melting pot of this area eventually produced the early brew of country music typified by Slim Dusty, among others, himself a son of the region.
Read all about it on Tinteán Magazine
![]() |
| Dorothy Hewett |
Sandra Nixon of the Sydney Bush Music Club has recently rescued this valuable historical information from the clutches of the Google police. As well as their involvement with the early folk revival, Dorothy Hewett and Merv Lilley were – and are - noted poets.
Extracts from Singabout - the early songwriters - Dorothy Hewett (1923-2002) & Merv Lilley (1919-2016):
http://bushmusicclub.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/extracts-from-singabout-early.html
This post may also be of related interest:
Guide to BMC blog https://blog.bushmusic.org.au/p/guide-to-blog.html
In 1996, the amazing traditional musician and storyteller, Simon McDonald, appeared on television with the Lumsden family. Here it is:
This bloke has found yet another use for an empty kerosene tin, once the go-to container in city and bush. Read all-out it on Pauline Connolly's website at https://paulineconolly.com/2023/the-kero-tin/
And see our earlier post on making do at https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2138391645827947224/6190375246880944865
Richard Evans had many talents and passions, from motorbikes to music of many genres and styles. He excelled at them all but is perhaps best remembered for his ability to craft, repair and play concertinas. Richard readily shared his knowledge and wisdom and was a friend and mentor to many, myself included. John Harpley and I (Rob Willis) recorded Richard for The National Library of Australia in November 2003 and also made a video of him playing and describing various instruments and also talking about building and maintaining the concertina. We have edited this video from the raw footage and on camera audio which is not the best, we normally mix hi res audio in post. I will do this when time permits. Richard has gone but his legacy remains. Rob Willis