Well, my next guest co wrote, along with Bruce Woodley of The Seeker's Fame, one of the greatest Australian songs ever. I am Australian. It has had a little bit of a spruce up. There's a new rendition with some extraordinary young Australian singers and one of the geniuses behind it. From the Bushwackers delighted to welcome Dobe Newton to the show. Dobe, thank you so much for your time.

Well, my next guest co wrote, along with Bruce Woodley of The Seeker's Fame, one of the greatest Australian songs ever. I am Australian. It has had a little bit of a spruce up. There's a new rendition with some extraordinary young Australian singers and one of the geniuses behind it. From the Bushwackers delighted to welcome Dobe Newton to the show. Dobe, thank you so much for your time.

Thank you. Then I look, I have to say that in all my all my years, I don't think the word genius has ever been used.

Thank you. Then I look, I have to say that in all my all my years, I don't think the word genius has ever been used.

Well, that's not right, you've you've been doing this for fifty years, or you need to go back and correct everyone.

Well, that's not right, you've you've been doing this for fifty years, or you need to go back and correct everyone.

Well yes, or eisy, you could change and that would be easy.

Well yes, or eisy, you could change and that would be easy.

You are a genius. Come on now, hey, it is hard to improve something that is already so great, something that is already so beloved. How did the new rendition come about?

You are a genius. Come on now, hey, it is hard to improve something that is already so great, something that is already so beloved. How did the new rendition come about?

Well, my partner in crime in the Bush is Roger Roger Corbett. We Roger and I are involved in a world unique program called the Academy of Country Music and it's a residential course which is running Tamworth senior senior students in January before the festival, and then in July before the Midgiar Festival. We have the Junior Academy and those three youngsters, Kyler Bell and Lucy bev Bridge and Rory Phillips who feature on that video, we met them initially at the Junior Academy and so we've known them for ages and Roger came up with this idea that, seeing they were all going to be in Tamworth last January for the festival, why didn't we think about recording a lot of footage, a lot of live footage, and doing a recording featuring some young voices on the song. Because over the years, the thing that well, not that's most amazed me, but one of the things that's amazed me is that I always used to joke that I never meant to write a song that turned into an instrument of torture for young school students who were all made to sing this at some stage. And what I've learned over the years is that far from thinking that it was something they were forced to do, the song basically resonated with them. And so when Roger suggested this, I thought, what a terrific idea, and those three came to mind immediately, particularly Kyle, because we wanted to have the verse, which talks about our First Nation's people, we wanted to have it in language we thought that was entirely appropriate. And she did it on one of our shows at Tamworth and brought the house down. It was just fantastic. People loved it and we thought, Okay, cool, let's go, let's do it. So from there we go. So we filmed it, recorded it and here it is.

Well, my partner in crime in the Bush is Roger Roger Corbett. We Roger and I are involved in a world unique program called the Academy of Country Music and it's a residential course which is running Tamworth senior senior students in January before the festival, and then in July before the Midgiar Festival. We have the Junior Academy and those three youngsters, Kyler Bell and Lucy bev Bridge and Rory Phillips who feature on that video, we met them initially at the Junior Academy and so we've known them for ages and Roger came up with this idea that, seeing they were all going to be in Tamworth last January for the festival, why didn't we think about recording a lot of footage, a lot of live footage, and doing a recording featuring some young voices on the song. Because over the years, the thing that well, not that's most amazed me, but one of the things that's amazed me is that I always used to joke that I never meant to write a song that turned into an instrument of torture for young school students who were all made to sing this at some stage. And what I've learned over the years is that far from thinking that it was something they were forced to do, the song basically resonated with them. And so when Roger suggested this, I thought, what a terrific idea, and those three came to mind immediately, particularly Kyle, because we wanted to have the verse, which talks about our First Nation's people, we wanted to have it in language we thought that was entirely appropriate. And she did it on one of our shows at Tamworth and brought the house down. It was just fantastic. People loved it and we thought, Okay, cool, let's go, let's do it. So from there we go. So we filmed it, recorded it and here it is.

So all three voices are extraordinary. Dope. So Lucy's got such a beautiful voice, Rory sings so well, and as you mentioned with Kyler Bell, so Kyler Bell is interesting in the First Nation's language. Because we talk about this a lot on our show though, where I will argue with members of our audience how important it is to learn and to be exposed to Australian history, to First Nation's history. There are some people, though, Dough and I'm sure you've heard this in the industry or in the audience perhaps that don't want to do that, and that saddens me. And I think things like this bring it to the forefront, which is a good thing.

So all three voices are extraordinary. Dope. So Lucy's got such a beautiful voice, Rory sings so well, and as you mentioned with Kyler Bell, so Kyler Bell is interesting in the First Nation's language. Because we talk about this a lot on our show though, where I will argue with members of our audience how important it is to learn and to be exposed to Australian history, to First Nation's history. There are some people, though, Dough and I'm sure you've heard this in the industry or in the audience perhaps that don't want to do that, and that saddens me. And I think things like this bring it to the forefront, which is a good thing.

Yeah, yeah, And look it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter where you go on the planet. I travel each year to Americana Fest, which is a festival in Nashville, and spend a bit of time just you know, cruising around the country. And I mean, you encounter exactly the same attitudes there in terms of their First peoples as well, and in Canada and nearly every society I can think of. You are never going to get people who are unanimous. And you know, only yesterday I was listening to the radio and somebody was saying, oh, look, you know, none of us are responsible for what happened back then, so we should just you know. Anyway, Look, it's an ongoing discussion, but we're more than happy too. And I mean, the whole reason, the whole reason that that reference to First Nations people is in the song is just because the song was all about inclusivity and diversity and how successful Australia's been at managing to integrate, you know, people from over one hundred and fifty nations into our society, and that obviously includes the people who were the original inhabitants of this land.

Yeah, yeah, And look it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter where you go on the planet. I travel each year to Americana Fest, which is a festival in Nashville, and spend a bit of time just you know, cruising around the country. And I mean, you encounter exactly the same attitudes there in terms of their First peoples as well, and in Canada and nearly every society I can think of. You are never going to get people who are unanimous. And you know, only yesterday I was listening to the radio and somebody was saying, oh, look, you know, none of us are responsible for what happened back then, so we should just you know. Anyway, Look, it's an ongoing discussion, but we're more than happy too. And I mean, the whole reason, the whole reason that that reference to First Nations people is in the song is just because the song was all about inclusivity and diversity and how successful Australia's been at managing to integrate, you know, people from over one hundred and fifty nations into our society, and that obviously includes the people who were the original inhabitants of this land.

And this is why Dobe I think people love the song so much because in nineteen eighty seven. You write the song features many references to Australian people, the first nation's history, to the environment, to culture. Do you remember the process. I imagine you and Bruce sitting around going right, what is Australian to me? And it might be little words or phrases, and you put them all together and then you come up with this song which just again resonates for so many people.

And this is why Dobe I think people love the song so much because in nineteen eighty seven. You write the song features many references to Australian people, the first nation's history, to the environment, to culture. Do you remember the process. I imagine you and Bruce sitting around going right, what is Australian to me? And it might be little words or phrases, and you put them all together and then you come up with this song which just again resonates for so many people.

Yeah. Yeah, so, I mean, look, it was I was going to say a complete accident. It wasn't a complete accident. But Bruce has always been a great lover of traditional Australian folk songs, and during one of the seekers times off the Road, he got in touch with us and said, look, I want to do an album of traditional Australian folk songs and a couple of originals. And that's what you guys do, That's what the Bushwhackers do. Would you be the studio band on the album? And we said sure, that would be great. So that was locked in and then Bruce said to me, look, I've got a couple of songs and one of them was I Am Australian, and one of them was about riverboats on the Murray and he said, look, you know a lot about Australian history and I don't, so would you be prepared to collaborate on these song ideas that I've got And I said sure, you know, so, as you say, we sat around and we went backwards and forwards, and you know, so I am Australian. It's basically a list song. Here is a list of iconic things, and there were so many that we couldn't fit. And I mean, you know, the song could have gone on for hours. Where's Don Bradman, for God's sake, or you know, Dawn Fraser or yeah, yes, anyway, so we went backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, and eventually there we go. Eventually you've got to say it's time to let it go. You know, you could, you could always, and at the time that was quite easy to do because the idea wasn't you know, we didn't sit down and go, okay, we're going to write an anthemic song. I mean, it was a song about all of those things which are distinctive about our country. But the overriding principle was that we were a welcoming place. Yes, you know, that wasn't always the case when you know, when our first nations and our first settlers locked horns, it didn't go terribly well. So we were aware of all those things, and so sat down recorded the song. It came out on the album, and then nothing happened really for quite a long time. And then Bruce got approached by and I can't remember who the first one was. I think it might have been Quonscious, I think anyone. So that meant that suddenly it was all over the telly in a way that none of us would have been able to do as artists. And then the Seekers came back on the tour circuit and they started performing it, and that went on for a long long time, and it was only when, only when they decided to go off the road and retire for the tenth time or effort. It was only then that Rod said to me, hey, listen, we've never done that song, and you co wrote it, and it's not being done by the Seekers anymore live. Why don't we do it?

Yeah. Yeah, so, I mean, look, it was I was going to say a complete accident. It wasn't a complete accident. But Bruce has always been a great lover of traditional Australian folk songs, and during one of the seekers times off the Road, he got in touch with us and said, look, I want to do an album of traditional Australian folk songs and a couple of originals. And that's what you guys do, That's what the Bushwhackers do. Would you be the studio band on the album? And we said sure, that would be great. So that was locked in and then Bruce said to me, look, I've got a couple of songs and one of them was I Am Australian, and one of them was about riverboats on the Murray and he said, look, you know a lot about Australian history and I don't, so would you be prepared to collaborate on these song ideas that I've got And I said sure, you know, so, as you say, we sat around and we went backwards and forwards, and you know, so I am Australian. It's basically a list song. Here is a list of iconic things, and there were so many that we couldn't fit. And I mean, you know, the song could have gone on for hours. Where's Don Bradman, for God's sake, or you know, Dawn Fraser or yeah, yes, anyway, so we went backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, and eventually there we go. Eventually you've got to say it's time to let it go. You know, you could, you could always, and at the time that was quite easy to do because the idea wasn't you know, we didn't sit down and go, okay, we're going to write an anthemic song. I mean, it was a song about all of those things which are distinctive about our country. But the overriding principle was that we were a welcoming place. Yes, you know, that wasn't always the case when you know, when our first nations and our first settlers locked horns, it didn't go terribly well. So we were aware of all those things, and so sat down recorded the song. It came out on the album, and then nothing happened really for quite a long time. And then Bruce got approached by and I can't remember who the first one was. I think it might have been Quonscious, I think anyone. So that meant that suddenly it was all over the telly in a way that none of us would have been able to do as artists. And then the Seekers came back on the tour circuit and they started performing it, and that went on for a long long time, and it was only when, only when they decided to go off the road and retire for the tenth time or effort. It was only then that Rod said to me, hey, listen, we've never done that song, and you co wrote it, and it's not being done by the Seekers anymore live. Why don't we do it?

Yes?

Yes?

And I went, oh, okay, okay, and so and so we did. And then of course last year, with our television appearance on that show, all of a sudden it was all over the place again.

And I went, oh, okay, okay, and so and so we did. And then of course last year, with our television appearance on that show, all of a sudden it was all over the place again.

It exploded again. Yeah, and you and you talk about being it so anthemic, and we played on the show and we never get a negative reaction from it. People just love it. Your version, the seekers version, as you mentioned, it's done in every school. Choirs do it so well. When you hear people and we take a lot of calls on this, when you hear people say this should be our national anthem drop advanced Australia. Fair, What does girt by Sea even mean?

It exploded again. Yeah, and you and you talk about being it so anthemic, and we played on the show and we never get a negative reaction from it. People just love it. Your version, the seekers version, as you mentioned, it's done in every school. Choirs do it so well. When you hear people and we take a lot of calls on this, when you hear people say this should be our national anthem drop advanced Australia. Fair, What does girt by Sea even mean?

That?

That?

The message, the message of your song I am, you are, we are. That's the most inclusive line in music we've heard this country ever.

The message, the message of your song I am, you are, we are. That's the most inclusive line in music we've heard this country ever.

Thank you mane. Look, it's already an important song to a lot of people. So what is a national anthem something that you know? I don't. I really don't feel the need. I mean, I get what people are saying, and I'm humbled by them saying that. And what that proves is that we've written a song that resonates with people, which is as a songwriter, that's that's all you can hope for, you know. And the fact that it's so many people and the sentiment is so universal, that's an amazing thing. And that's enough, you know. I mean, if people as I said, I'm honored and humbled that people go this should be our national anthem. But look it's already, it's already out there and it connects with people, and you know that's enough. That's anough.

Thank you mane. Look, it's already an important song to a lot of people. So what is a national anthem something that you know? I don't. I really don't feel the need. I mean, I get what people are saying, and I'm humbled by them saying that. And what that proves is that we've written a song that resonates with people, which is as a songwriter, that's that's all you can hope for, you know. And the fact that it's so many people and the sentiment is so universal, that's an amazing thing. And that's enough, you know. I mean, if people as I said, I'm honored and humbled that people go this should be our national anthem. But look it's already, it's already out there and it connects with people, and you know that's enough. That's anough.

What I would love, Dobe, is for more people to listen to it even closer, take it to their hearts, the message that you're putting out there, because there is some division in our community. Sadly, the Bushwhackers extraordinary history. As I mentioned at the start of the interview, fifty years in music, your version of the band played walts In material is as popular as ever. I so love the new version. You know, it loses nothing of the original magic. If anything, it adds just a little bit more. It's now available for people to enjoy. So great to speak to your Dobe. Congratulations on reissuing the song, and yes to Lucy and to Rory and to Kyler Bell. I hope again it starts conversations with people, but I hope it gets as much airplay as the seekers version does, so people get to enjoy their talents as well as yours.

What I would love, Dobe, is for more people to listen to it even closer, take it to their hearts, the message that you're putting out there, because there is some division in our community. Sadly, the Bushwhackers extraordinary history. As I mentioned at the start of the interview, fifty years in music, your version of the band played walts In material is as popular as ever. I so love the new version. You know, it loses nothing of the original magic. If anything, it adds just a little bit more. It's now available for people to enjoy. So great to speak to your Dobe. Congratulations on reissuing the song, and yes to Lucy and to Rory and to Kyler Bell. I hope again it starts conversations with people, but I hope it gets as much airplay as the seekers version does, so people get to enjoy their talents as well as yours.

Thanks mate, and thank you to everybody in South Australia.

Thanks mate, and thank you to everybody in South Australia.

You got to come and see us do this show live for us, Dough.

You got to come and see us do this show live for us, Dough.

I know, I know. Is the Arkabar still going?

I know, I know. Is the Arkabar still going?

Yes it is. It's had a rebamp, looks amazing. I'll tell Peter and Jenny Hurley, the owners, that you're keen to come back and we'll get your back here.

Yes it is. It's had a rebamp, looks amazing. I'll tell Peter and Jenny Hurley, the owners, that you're keen to come back and we'll get your back here.

Ah. We used to go over there all the time and play there. Gosh, that's a memory. Oh that that'd be wonderful to come back and do that.

Ah. We used to go over there all the time and play there. Gosh, that's a memory. Oh that that'd be wonderful to come back and do that.

You know, it has a has a bit of a monika. The Arkabart used to be the place to grab a granny. If you're after like an older lady, that was where you'd go. Dope, that was your hotspot.

You know, it has a has a bit of a monika. The Arkabart used to be the place to grab a granny. If you're after like an older lady, that was where you'd go. Dope, that was your hotspot.

Now see I didn't know that. Well, I'd be just the right age now.

Now see I didn't know that. Well, I'd be just the right age now.

Great to speak to you, Dobe, Thank you so much for your time. Congratulations on you.

Great to speak to you, Dobe, Thank you so much for your time. Congratulations on you.

Thanks leade.

Thanks leade.

Cheers mate, the Great Dobe Newton from the Bushwakers

Cheers mate, the Great Dobe Newton from the Bushwakers