G'day John,

The Australian Government has, in the past, used the various levels of the Order of Australia to recognise figures in the Australian folk scene. I'm fairly certain that the first such "folkie" recognition was to John Meredith - pioneer field recorder in the post WW II era, founder of the first "Bush Band" (at least, in the folk revival sense) - The Bushwhackers (1952 - 1957) ... not to be confused with the folk/rock band that took the name (less one 'h') - as The Bushwackers in the '70s and principal author or the authoratative Folk Songs of Australia and the men and women who sang them, volumes 1 and 2.

I'm most familiar with John's first award - as I found myself writing the citation for it, after the New South Wales Folk Federation nominated him - but did not submit a supporting citation. I was asked by the Prime Minister's Department to submit one ... delivered to their North Sydney offices by 5.00 PM the next day! (Well it got there ... John got the gong ... and I recycled the item as a tribute article ... and, a decade later as part of an obituary.)

I know that honours from the Order of Australia have also gone to Alan Scott - another pioneer field recordists and performer - as well as to a number of people who have both worked hard for the preservation of true heritage material and the publishing and performance of it. I haven't noticed any such awards to commercial singers, but I don't follow the field.

Anyway, with our present Prime Minister working hard to be the lapdog of the yanks, I think the only recognition likely to come to anyone promoting Australian traditions will be persecution and vilification.

Regards,

Bob Bolton