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Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb
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Subject: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Joe Offer Date: 08 Sep 10 - 01:36 AM I heard from a Mudcatter in Australia that Rowan Webb (Mudcatter "Rowan") had died, but my source wasn't completely sure. I think I found verification at the Science Show, which discussed Rowan's wish to donate his skeleton to science. The most recent broadcast, dated September 4, 2010, says Rowan died two weeks before. Rowan was such a nice person. He sent me a surprise package in May - an assortment of Australian coins, with handwritten explanations of each one. This is the message I got from him July 15: He's not long for this world; he's only four foot four Greetings Joe, The title is from the last line of a Henry Lawson poem I posted in the Recitations thread but it'll set your mind in the direction that gets expanded upon in the Science Show (Oz ABC, Radio National) broadcast whose podcast link is given below. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2010/2945843.htm I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to keep posting but I thought I'd mention that I value knowing you, however slightly. Cheers, Rowan I can't find the "Recitations" post that Rowan referred to, and I can't find the Henry Lawson poem. If anybody knows this poem, can you post it in this thread in Rowan's honor? Ah, bless him. He was a gentle, good man. Rowan last posted at Mudcat 30 June, 2010. Click here to read his messages, and you'll see what a wonderful person he was. And yes, he was able to donate his intact skeleton ("skelly") to science. -Joe, sadly- Click here for Rowan's post of the poem:
Posted By: Rowan 03-Sep-08 - 11:03 PM Thread Name: Lyr Req: Recitations......Fed up of the same old Subject: Lyr Add: HE ISN'T LONG FOR THIS WORLD (H Lawson) HE ISN'T LONG FOR THIS WORLD That's what I found - is that the complete poem? Cheers back to you, Rowan. I'll miss you. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Bob Bolton Date: 08 Sep 10 - 01:48 AM G'day Joe, I'm stunned by this ... I've been trying to email / PM Rowan, to save me too much mining for some information he had posted about the Melbourne group the Bushwackers and their 'Registered name" holder's threatening legal action if the surviving memebers of the original (1950s revival) "Bush Band" ... the Sydney based Bushwhackers Band dared to use their name at a reunion! Well I hope Rowan hasn't gone off the pitchfork any coals over the perpetrators! I'll miss him immensely - he was 150% of everything that was good about the folk revival and the appreciation our place in a world culture ... and my reliable source of lots of info about our 'friends' south of the (Victorian) border! Regrets, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Bob Bolton Date: 08 Sep 10 - 01:57 AM G'day again Joe, I must have just missed the important part of the Science program ... I'm often out of the house at 1.00 PM Saturday when it plays ... then it's repeated at 7.05 PM on the following Monday. However, I'm just wending my way from Leichhardt (Sydney's "Little Italy") to Marrickville, for the Bush Music Club's Monday Music Session. I vaguely remember something, either in the 7.00 PM New broadcast ... or the intro the following Science show about legal challenges to the bequest of one's skeleton ... but driving through "Little Italy" needs too much of one's attention ... and I didn't hear the full item! More Regrets ... Bob |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Ebbie Date: 08 Sep 10 - 02:14 AM I too will miss him. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: rich-joy Date: 08 Sep 10 - 02:39 AM He was a colourful part of Darwin's folkscene in the late? 80s. Vale, Rowan. Rich-Joy |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: SqueezeMe Date: 08 Sep 10 - 08:59 AM Sorrowful news indeed; though his illness was no secret, news of his passing is still a shock. I always enjoyed Rowan's company when our paths crossed, and shared many conversations and concertina tunes with him over the years. I'm sure his many contributions to the Australian folk scene (and to Mudcat) will be long remembered. RIP, Rowan, and deepest sympathy to your family. MC |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: jacqui.c Date: 08 Sep 10 - 09:08 AM So sad to see the passing of such a decent man. He will be missed. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: SINSULL Date: 08 Sep 10 - 10:00 AM Cheers, Rowan. RIP SINS |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 08 Sep 10 - 10:03 AM Rowan told me at Easter he'd be having more chemo when he got home, so I emailed him a few weeks later & didn't get a reply for 6 weeks. It took me several hours to answer his very scientific report of his condition & the 4 weeks in hospital, then a move interstate to friends who could nurse him - then another hospital trip & a diagnosis of weeks to live. I'm not used to death anywhere near me, & certainly didn't like facing a friend's coming death so objectively reported & managed to tell him (very hard to think or type when crying!) & say goodbye. He'd arranged his affairs before he went into hospital & no doubt observed his remaining time as objectively as he'd reported his condition. He was surrounded by loving friends & family. bye, mate sandra 2010- Ozcatters at Hrothgar's hymn session The hymn session won't be the same without Rowan. No doubt we'll raise the medicine glasses high ... The Chorus line @ the Hymn session, the best singing session @ the National |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: wysiwyg Date: 08 Sep 10 - 10:26 AM Rowan wrote soemthing here once that was so multiculturally excellent that I PMed a complicated question about Aussie culture. I got back a totally clear, concise, and compassionate reply that put Oz in a whole new light for me that I will always treasure. In fact it informed my understanding of ALL cultural patterns of inquiry. I never asked or knew "Rowan's" age, gender, spirituality, race... I liked not knowing, because the Rowan I corresponded with was that universally HUMAN. Rowan was one of many Catters I always wanted to meet.... guess it's gonna be awhile. RIP, dear one. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: katlaughing Date: 08 Sep 10 - 10:50 AM He had shared so much in helping Michelle/Lilyfestre through her own chemo and so much of his knowledge during the terrible Aussie wildfires. I had some wonderful PMs from him with incredible info on the flora, fauna and action of fire on all down under and on his own personal "fire" of cancer. What a kind and gentle soul. I shall mourn him with my tears and smile in admiration at his fine, fine example of what it is to be a human bean(sic). Sandra, thank you for sharing. My sympathies to you all. Much love and missing you, Rowan, kat |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: katlaughing Date: 08 Sep 10 - 10:58 AM My sympathies also to his family. This is from a PM I received in Jan. 2009 talking about chemo, etc.: As you've probably worked out, I'm convinced that a well developed sense of humour is a great asset in such circumstances and an even better sense of the absurd helps even more. And, also this, when we were PMing about the loss of life to the fires in Australia: I hope my end is a bit more under my own control with less lack of foreknowledge to those who care about me. I am glad it seems he realised his hope. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: GUEST,olddude Date: 08 Sep 10 - 11:08 AM Prayers and deepest condolences to his family. Very nice person. Will be sadly missed here |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Rapparee Date: 08 Sep 10 - 11:14 AM This is not at all helpful to the rest of us, since he set a standard that we now have to reach. Requiescat in pace, amicus. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: John MacKenzie Date: 08 Sep 10 - 11:45 AM I have the complete works of Lawson Joe, and that's all there is of that poem. So I'm not sure what you're asking for the words of. RIP Rowan. JM |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: catspaw49 Date: 08 Sep 10 - 11:46 AM Christ but I hate this place.............Before the 'Cat I had some number of friends but this strange place has given me so very many more, folks I value in my life.................I have no idea how many and I'm not going to count but Rowan was yet another wonderful part of this place, a fully evolved personality of great intelligence and humor......something that runs through here like a river. Had I never known him here I wouldn't be sitting here saddened and tearful at his loss. Thanks Rowan for being here and sharing your wisdom, compassion, and your humor. We've got examples already of the first two so here's an example of the last: Many biology students are amazed to learn they have tastebuds in their anus. Aside from the usual canard about what their elders think of teenagers' tastes the story is that the lining of both ends of the alimentary canal is ectodermal in origin and thus rich in nerve endings. In the mouth we call them tastebuds but in the anus, even though they perform the same function (fireily recording the passage of last night's curry as well as detecting the differences between solid, liquid and gas phases and thus allowing farts but nothing else to pass). Good taste prevents us from calling them tastebuds. Spaw |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: ClaireBear Date: 08 Sep 10 - 11:59 AM What a lovely heartprint he's left on so many of us. Farewell, Rowan. Claire |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 08 Sep 10 - 02:05 PM I am just heartbroken to read this news - I had no idea he was ill. Even though I didn't know him well and had only fleeting e-contact, his warmth and strength always shone through. R.I.P. Rowan. The world isn't as nice a place as it was when you were in it. To replay his own words, about another bereavement, "Yet another great bites the dust! ... Peace be to him" Bonnie |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Alice Date: 08 Sep 10 - 02:17 PM This is very sad news. My sympathy to his family. Alice |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: gnu Date: 08 Sep 10 - 02:41 PM Oh my! Sad news indeed. RIP Rowan. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: fat B****rd Date: 08 Sep 10 - 03:11 PM Best regards and condolences to famly and friends. RIP Rowan. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: LilyFestre Date: 08 Sep 10 - 03:19 PM I was thinking about Rowan just last night.....he shared a good deal of his own experience with cancer with me, offering his support and love. I can't tell you how sorry I am to read this news. :( Michelle |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: My guru always said Date: 08 Sep 10 - 03:34 PM So very sorry to hear of Rowan's passing, candle lit! Hil |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 08 Sep 10 - 06:26 PM I am sad to hear of this - I really liked my interactions with him here. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: The Sandman Date: 08 Sep 10 - 06:57 PM sad news |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Joe Offer Date: 08 Sep 10 - 07:01 PM Rowan was so very nice to me, always in unexpected ways. It's wonderful to see that he did the same for so many people. I guess he was a personification of the term, "random acts of kindness." -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Bill D Date: 08 Sep 10 - 07:14 PM ...he signed all his posts with "Cheers" ... and you knew that's what he meant. RIP |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: katlaughing Date: 08 Sep 10 - 07:26 PM I asked him about "Net ball" and received an expert, concise treatise on exactly what it is in Australia. Very interesting and so like him to be thorough without being "dry." |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Maryrrf Date: 08 Sep 10 - 07:59 PM I am so sorry to hear of this. RIP Rowan. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Stewie Date: 08 Sep 10 - 08:08 PM Sad news. Vale, Rowan. --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: GUEST,Allen in Oz Date: 08 Sep 10 - 08:13 PM I met Rowan at the National Folk Festival in Canberra this year ( that is me in the photo shown by Sandra above...Rowan is just behind my old mate Jennie G in the photo). The Science Show featuring Rowan was most interesting ..I heard it recently on ABC Radio and in it Robin Williams played an old interview recorded with Rowan. It appears that his will be the only known Caucasian skeleton available for scientific and medical research as all the others were either Aboriginal or Indian. The Indian skeletons were apparently not really indicative of Caucasian ones due to the poor diet in India and hence students will benefit from Rowan's bequest of his skeleton (at least that is what I understood from the Science Show ) A thoroughly decent man.. and sadly missed AD |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Genie Date: 08 Sep 10 - 08:15 PM Very sad news, indeed. My condolences to all Rowan's friends and family. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Bruce from Bathurst Date: 08 Sep 10 - 09:11 PM Rowan will be missed. As described here by many, he was a good bloke. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Slag Date: 08 Sep 10 - 10:57 PM Alas. Slag |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: JennieG Date: 09 Sep 10 - 12:43 AM Rowan will be much missed, I have lovely memories of our chats at the National festival each Easter. We both volunteered, Rowan in comms (communications) while I was in the office just next door, and we shared meals and good talks together while we put the world to rights in the volunteer dining room. Earlier this year I moved to a town just an hour south from where Rowan lived, and hoped that we could perhaps get together when he brought his daughters here to play sport, but it wasn't to be. In Rowan's memory one song sung in next year's hymn session could be "I will guide thee", which is what the chorus line in the pic above was singing! No doubt we will raise a glass of Dr Jamieson's Finest in his memory as we do so. He also turned up at the late night singing session on the last night of the festival and shared something slightly bawdy (which has now left my memory) with us. I have a couple of pics of a large group in the session bar with Rowan in it, doing what he loved - playing music. We will miss him very much. Cheers to Rowan (raising a glass high) JennieG |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Mrs.Duck Date: 09 Sep 10 - 04:28 AM Sad news. RIP! |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Hrothgar Date: 10 Sep 10 - 02:34 AM He was one of that marvellous harmony group, Pageant, in the 1970s. I still treasure the cassette tape they produced. Tony in Darwin was in it, too, as was Rich-Joy's little mate (Gee, I hope my memory is correct!). I learned ""I Will Guide Thee" from him and Mike Jackson late one night at Numeralla Folk Festival in about 1976. He will be sorely missed. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Sandy Mc Lean Date: 10 Sep 10 - 02:58 AM Another 'Catter gone! I only knew Rowan from his posts here but I considered him a friend that I never met. RIP! |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Joe Offer Date: 10 Sep 10 - 03:45 AM Rich-Joy sent a couple of photos: |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Jean(eanjay) Date: 10 Sep 10 - 03:53 AM So sorry to hear this sad news. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 10 Sep 10 - 05:24 AM Rowan told me a great story about what happened way back in the 70s/80s when he shaved his wild & woolly beard & cut his equally wild hair. He got a floorspot at a regular folk club under another name & no-one recognised him, expect the person in the back who could only see his eyes & the top of his head! Tho some were listening to his concertina & wondering who it was. sandra |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: JennyO Date: 10 Sep 10 - 06:48 AM So sorry to hear this. I have met him at the National in the past and enjoyed our conversations. I didn't bump into him this year. I didn't know about his illness either, so it's a bit of a shock. Goodbye folkie friend :( |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Bob Bolton Date: 13 Sep 10 - 12:28 AM G'day WysiwyG! / ~Susan, Indeed we need to keep the memory thread up ... while we get used to no longer having Rowan. He was, for me, a great source of information and stories about parts of this large and sparce country where we seemed be mostly in different times and places. As you well noted, he could always contribute considered, valuable and entertaining information and anecdotes ... and, if he hadn't quite been everywhere ... he had kept most of it in sight! Farewell Rowan, Bob Bolton |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Mooh Date: 13 Sep 10 - 12:11 PM How sad, but a life well lived is a life well shared. These many friends attest to that. R.I.P. Peace, Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: wysiwyg Date: 13 Sep 10 - 01:41 PM G'day Bob. I meant to refresh this as the weekend got underway but my time was eclipsed. Some folks will have missed the news and some will just want to revisit their memories of him one more time, even if they don't post. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Tangledwood Date: 14 Sep 10 - 12:33 AM This is sad news, my condolences to Rowan's family and friends. Although I was unfortunate not to have met him in person I always valued his posts here and formed the opinion that he was a "real top bloke". Mal |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Charley Noble Date: 14 Sep 10 - 05:35 PM I was also looking forward to meeting Rowan one day. Perhaps we shall meet but not on this earth. Another loss. Charley Noble |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 04 Mar 11 - 03:25 AM Aladdin's cave (video) One man's life long obsession with collecting will go under the hammer in Armidale on Sunday. Rowan Webb died last August - leaving behind a hoarder's paradise. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: wysiwyg Date: 04 Mar 11 - 10:29 AM Thanks Sandra, I was just thinking of him. ~Susan |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: katlaughing Date: 04 Mar 11 - 10:58 AM I clicked on the arrow, but the video wouldn't play for me. Any other links? Thanks, kat |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Bill D Date: 04 Mar 11 - 11:06 AM video requires javascript... It is just some folks showing odd items from the 'collection' 1½ minutes. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: bobad Date: 04 Mar 11 - 11:15 AM Try it using IE - that worked for me whereas Firefox did not. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: meself Date: 04 Mar 11 - 11:49 AM I somehow missed this in September - I was away from home, I now remember - anyway, sad news. Rowan always seemed positive and reasonable in his posts; alway interested and interesting. RIP. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Andrez Date: 02 Apr 11 - 01:07 AM I missed this whole thread in september as well. Many thanks to you Desert Dancer in the current Oz Catters @2011 National Folk festival thread for referring me to this thread. My memories of Rowan are warm and fuzzy impressions and memories mainly from campfire sessions and the bush dances over New Year at Nariel Creek festivals over the 70's and 80's as well as different meetings at the National over the years. That said its nice to be able to grab a copy of the photos posted above by Joe Offer via Rich Joy and to have a little glimpse into another side of Rowans life through the Aladdins cave snippet. Not much more to say other than "I'll miss yer mate"! Cheers, Andre |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Joe Offer Date: 02 Apr 11 - 02:35 AM I think of him often, too. He was such a nice man. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: VirginiaTam Date: 02 Apr 11 - 03:32 AM One of those folks looked like Canberra Chris. I would have a blast poking through all that stuff. Wish I had a chance to get to know Rowan. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: GUEST,Mark Noke Date: 04 Apr 11 - 09:32 PM Another story from when he cut his hair and shaved his beard. Rowan and I were both members of the Flying Pieman bush band, back in the early '80's, and one January I arrived at a gig we were playing, in Emerald (vic), to discover two men carefully arranging framed photographs of the Emerald Football club across the stage. "You'll lose those when our lagerphone player gets going, he belts it really hard." "Really?" one of them replied, with a grin. I recognized the voice, but took me a while longer to recognize the the speaker as Rowan. There I was, warning Rowan about himself .. Flying Pieman .. now they were a damn fine band. |
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Subject: RE: Obit: The Death of a Mudcatter: Rowan Webb From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 05 Apr 11 - 03:24 AM thanks for that memory, Mark |
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