Some of the biggest names in Australiahave got behind an industry led campaign to have an Aussie icon’s legacy celebrated on JUNE 13^th by officially recognising the day as NATIONAL SLIM DUSTY DAY.

Music historian Glenn A Baker said “Slim Dusty Day is a day to celebrate our musical heritage. Slim Dusty articulated the very essence ofAustraliafor a great many Australians”. 

With 2013 marking the 10^th anniversary of SLIM DUSTY’s passing (19^th September 2003), identities from across Australia and around the world has united to pay tribute and support the proposed NATIONAL SLIM DUSTY DAY initiative to be declared on his birth date of June 13^th.

Stars already backing and supporting the proposal include KEITH URBAN & NICOLE KIDMAN, LEE KERNAGHAN OAM, KASEY CHAMBERS & SHANE NICHOLSON, RAY HADLEY OAM, DICK SMITH, BECCY COLE, ADAM HARVEY and Slim’s wife JOY McKEAN OAM to name but a few.

DICK SMITH, Australian Entrepreneur and Philanthropist said “I urge everyone who shares my admiration of Slim, to get behind National Slim Dusty Day, to honour the man who etched our history into song. We must ensure that the legend of Slim Dusty and his Australian story – our story – is never forgotten”.

"Slim Dusty is not only the voice of Australian Country music, but the voice of the spirit of Australia. I was honored to not only know him, but to call him a mate. We toured together, we recorded together, and I was forever changed by his passion for the music, the people, and the country he loved so much. Smart as a whip, funny as hell, as loyal as the day is long, and the perfect personification of what an Aussie is all about! Nic and I are both proud to add our voices in support of recognising June 13 Nationally, as 'Slim Dusty Day'!!!!!!"  - Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman

Australian Country Music legend LEE KERNAGHAN said, “In the steps of Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson, Slim Dusty embedded our culture and heritage into history. For over half a century Slim touched our hearts and minds through the music he made and the life he lived. National Slim Dusty Day is a way for all Australians to come together to celebrate our musical heritage, the people’s King of Country and the everyday Australian's who make our country great”.

Now a decade since the loss of the national treasure, Australian identities have come together to voice their support of the NATIONAL SLIM DUSTY DAY to ensure his musical legacy continues to be recognised annually.
 

Australians are asked to register their support seeking the favourable consideration of the Australian Government to mark Slim's birthday as "National Slim Dusty Day". To show your support, please click on the following link:

http://slimdustycentre.com.au/signupforslim.htm
 

The petition is hosted by The Slim Dusty Centre, a unique community project with national significance, primarily developed as a living museum, governed by a Trust Fund and designed to showcase over 60 years of recording, performing and touring by Slim Dusty and preserving the valuable Dusty Family collection gathered from Australia throughout his lifetime.

In support of the National Slim Dusty Day initiative and to assist in the fund raising program for the Slim Dusty Foundation, the stars of country music have come together for a special event called – THE SLIM DUSTY BIRTHDAY BASH.
 

This event will be held at Rooty Hill RSL Club on Slim’s Birthday, Thursday 13^th June. Corporate tables and seats for the general public will be on sale from Rooty Hill RSL as of Monday 13^th May. Tickets start at $120 and include a 2 course dinner and drinks. Entertainment will be provided by Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, Lee Kernaghan, The McClymonts, Adam Harvey, The Wolfe Brothers and The Adam Eckersley Band.

For further information, images or interviews please contact:

David Woodward – 0413 748167 or david@reputationmarketing.com.au

CONFIRMED QUOTES APPROVED FOR USE:

"Slim Dusty is not only the voice of Australian Country music, but the voice of the spirit ofAustralia. I was honored to not only know him, but to call him a mate. We toured together, we recorded together, and I was forever changed by his passion for the music, the people, and the country he loved so much. Smart as a whip, funny as hell, as loyal as the day is long, and the perfect personification of what an Aussie is all about! Nic and I are both proud to add our voices in support of recognising June 13 nationally, as 'Slim Dusty Day'!!!!!!" 

KEITH URBAN & NICOLE KIDMAN
 

You didn't have to grow up in the Country to love Slim. As anAdelaidegirl, my first lessons about the bush, true mateship, Australian culture and patriotism were taught by listening to Slim Dusty. In 1994 I toured with Slim and witnessed how incredibly generous he was to his adoring public, and to young artists starting in the business. Slim shook the hands of our indigenous brothers and sisters and brought their stories to the towns in song. I can't think of a more powerful form of reconciliation inAustralia's history. I would love to celebrate Slim Dusty day, to remember this hero and to remind us of all the reasons we're proud to be Australian. 

BECCY COLE
 

Slim Dusty Day is a day to celebrate our musical heritage. Slim Dusty articulated the very essence ofAustraliafor a great many Australians. Through his simple honest and heartfelt songs, he became a musical chronicler of our past and our present, our dreams and our failings. And more than anything, our simple day-to-day delights. His music told us something about ourselves - who we are, where we came from, what we could be. His humorous and tolerant tales of life, of many lives, will survive after those lives and the events which shaped them have passed.

GLENN A. BAKER
                                                                                  

In the steps of Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson, Slim Dusty embedded our culture and heritage into history. For over half a century Slim touched our hearts and minds through the music he made and the life he lived. National Slim Dusty Day is a way for all Australians to come together to celebrate our musical heritage, The King of Country and the ordinary Australian's who make our country great.

LEE KERNAGHAN OAM
 

I have been a fan of Slim Dusty all my life and it was one of life’s great pleasures to find out a bloke you idolised as a young fella, was in fact a better person than any publicist could portray. His fan base continues to grow despite his passing a decade ago.  He is what Australian Country Music is all about – A love ofAustraliaand Australians. Acknowledging Slim with National Slim Dusty Day is a deserving tribute to one of the best blokes to ever get “belt and buckled”.

RAY HADLEY OAM­
 

Slim Dusty’s a personal hero of mine, as he is to many Aussies. The opportunity to celebrate National Slim Dusty Day should be supported throughout the land, by proud fellow Australians who acknowledge the contribution Slim made to the spirit of mateship and our heritage. I urge everyone who shares my admiration of Slim, to get behind National Slim Dusty Day, to honour the man who etched our history into song. We must ensure that the legend of Slim Dusty and his Australian story – our story – is never forgotten.

DICK SMITH
 

Let's make Slim Dusty Day a National Day of pride! Wear your Akubra with pride; take pride in being a good mate; and take pride in sharing Slim's love ofAustralia.

JOY McKEAN OAM
 

TheMacleayValleycommunity is proud to have Slim Dusty as one of our most prominent sons. Our efforts to establish the Slim Dusty Centre here in his home-town have been boosted by widespread support from both businesses and individuals. This commitment demonstrates our community’s continuing celebration of, and respect for, this country music icon. Slim’s gift toAustraliaand country music fans world-wide – history and culture through music – has created a legacy that will continue to survive and thrive through future generations. Acknowledgement of this through formal recognition of an official ‘National Slim Dusty Day’ will ensure that this legend will never be forgotten.

CR LIZ CAMPBELL, Mayor of Kempsey
 

Slim Dusty is not just our country music pioneer and an Australian Icon.... He is part of the Australian fabric. There's the hills hoist, meat pies, the footy, and Slim. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate our country, and being Australian than to have a Slim Dusty day. He was not only a hero and an inspiration to all Aussie artists, but an integral part of our history. 

ADAM HARVEY
 

CHOOSE YOUR CRUISE 2013

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