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Obit: Len Norris (Australia, Gulgong, Jan 08) |
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Subject: Obit: Len Norris (Australia, Gulgong, Jan 08) From: JennyO Date: 03 Jan 08 - 09:17 AM Dale Dengate asked me to post this notice, about the recent death of Len Norris in Gulgong, NSW. Len and Elaine Norris invited the Bush Music Club in 1960s to add some music to the Australia Day activities. They had a friendly boisterous family of seven children yet always had a warm welcome for visitors. Even citysllckers who could get lost on the way to Lahey's Creek. They were incredibly generous and did a tremendous amount to restore the Opera House in Gulgong which was central to all the Gulgong festivals held till last year over New Year. They found furnishing from closing cinemas and made curtains to the changing and demanding regulations of the fire department regulations. Elaine died about ten years ago and Len said life was never the same without her; also his stamina and health started to go. Although he was looking forward to shedding his earthly coil, he will be missed as a fine Australian who loved the bush and toiled hard to make the world a better place. The funeral will be held at the graveside of Gulgong cemetery on Saturday 5th January,2008. Any bush musicians who can make it would be welcome by family and friends. Dale and John Dengate |
Subject: RE: Obit: Len Norris (Australia, Gulgong, Jan 08) From: Bob Bolton Date: 05 Jan 08 - 05:52 AM G'day JennyO, My brothers Eric & Brian both rang from Dubbo to give me the bad news on Friday. Eric had called in on Len just a week or so ago ... he seemed as well as ever ... but ... Dale and John will be putting together an article for my next issue of Mulga Wire / Singabout - dealing with the way that the Norris homestead at Laheys Creek (back of Gulgong) hosted many fine musical weekends ... and was instrumental in bonding the Bush Music Club's Concert Party together as one of the best local (Sydney) groups performing traditional Australian songs ... and modern songs arising from that tradition. Regards, Bob |
Subject: RE: Obit: Len Norris (Australia, Gulgong, Jan 08) From: GUEST,Tiffany Crawford Date: 06 Jan 08 - 04:44 AM Hi Bob If possible I'd be most grateful if you would post details of where I may purchase a copy of the article please. Growing up on the adjoining property to 'Eurama Downs' (Len and Elaine's place at Laheys Creek) and later, coincidentally, living in the same street for a time in the township of Gulgong, I feel so fortunate to have known them. Many of my most cherished memories were created by these beloved individuals who touched not only my life but that of countless others. Very special people indeed... Thanks in advance Tiffany |
Subject: RE: Obit: Len Norris (Australia, Gulgong, Jan 08) From: nager Date: 06 Jan 08 - 06:47 PM I remember Len and Elaine from the year and a half or so I lived, worked and played in the Mudgee-Gulgong area back in the 1980s. I especially remember the Opera House and sang there too and we had many wonderful sessions in the towns pubs with other local singers and musicians. I still visit the area from time to time but most of the people my wife and I knew there 20 plus years ago have now passed on or moved on. Sad news. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Len Norris (Australia, Gulgong, Jan 08) From: mark gregory Date: 06 Jan 08 - 08:05 PM Peter Gregory, my father, who lived in Mudgee for the last years of his life introduced me to Len and Elaine, and we spent a wonderful afternoon and evening out at their farm. I remember the huge meal Elaine prepared for us and the roaring log fire with it's grill made of curved hollow tubes so the hot air could be blown into the room rather than all going up the chimney. Len played accordion and I picked my banjo. We talked a lot about politics too ... I think Elaine's family were pioneer ALP activists anyway she told us about the "tree of knowledge". I met them again at my father's wake in Mudgee |
Subject: RE: Obit: Len Norris (Australia, Gulgong, Jan 08) From: Bruce from Bathurst Date: 06 Jan 08 - 08:44 PM I just heard the sad news about Len Norris. Len and Elaine were both great contributors to the community of Gulgong and, as has been noted in this thread, they strongly supported folk music and folk musicians. The Gulgong New Year festivals (my 'local' festival - only 150km away!) grew and survived for twenty years largely because the Gulgong community wanted it to happen. Without generous and motivated people like Len, smaller festivals and countless informal sessions and musical get-togethers simply don't get off the ground. Len will be missed by many in Gulgong and beyond. |
Subject: RE: Obit: Len Norris (Australia, Gulgong, Jan 08) From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 06 Jan 08 - 09:24 PM Tiffany - Mulga Wire is published by the Bush Music Club & you can find details here about getting a copy of the next issue sandra |
Subject: RE: Obit: Len Norris (Australia, Gulgong, Jan 08) From: Bob Bolton Date: 07 Jan 08 - 10:04 PM G'day Tiffany, Not knowing where you are now ... although, you might not have wandered all that far from Laheys Creek ... I may end up dropping Dale & John's item into this thread (if that's all right by them). I'm not sure what we will have space for, as the sad news about Len was closely followed by the news of the death, last Saturday, of Ron Edwards - one of the earliest figures of the Australian "Folk Revival": Death of Ron Edwards . I'll have to do some trimming, as we get closer to the deadline. BTW: When were you living "on the adjoining property to 'Eurama Downs'"? My brother Eric had a 40 acre block adjoining the Norris's from some time in the 1970s (on the edge of what is locally identified as Henry Lawson's "Reedy River") ... hoping for a re-zoning that would allow him to build a home there. He's living in Dubbo now ... and he sold the Laheys Creek block a couple of years back to help pay for the home he now has. Regards, Bob |
Subject: RE: Obit: Len Norris (Australia, Gulgong, Jan 08) From: GUEST,Rob and Alma Lavender Date: 10 Jan 08 - 04:02 AM We have been honored to know Len , Elaine and family for the past 30 years of living at Laheys Creek , our association started through politics ,in moving from the city it was strange to come across a cocky who was so passionatly labor and a socialst to go with it , It forged some interesting times, Len and Elaine will always be with us through our grand daughter Chlo who was all so Len and Elaine's grand daughter.Len will be remembered where ever music is played, Elaine for her fabulous cooking sewing and hospitality. The world and paticuarly Gulgong have lost an icon . Bob we live just up road from Eric's block it was always known here as Boltons block . Rob |
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