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Dobe Newton

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Dobe Newton
OAM
Performing with the Bushwackers, National Celtic Festival, Portarlington, Victoria, 2010.
Background information
Born (1948-07-14) 14 July 1948 (age 76)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • teacher
  • CEO
Instruments
Years active1973–present
Member ofThe Bushwackers

Dobe Newton OAM (born 14 July 1948) is an Australian musician and member of folk and country music group the Bushwackers from 1973. He co-wrote the patriotic song "I Am Australian" in 1987 with Bruce Woodley. For his service to the performing arts as an entertainer and advocate he was appointed to the Order of Australia in 2013.

Career

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Dobe Newton was born on 14 July 1948 in Sydney.[1] During the 1960s he acquired a lagerphone and tin whistle after hearing Irish folk group the Dubliners.[2] He joined Australian bush band the Bushwackers (initially the Original Bushwhackers and Bullockies Bush Band) in 1973 on vocals and lagerphone.[3][4] As the group's longest-serving member he became their leader during the 1980s.[3] In 1987 he co-wrote "I Am Australian" with Bruce Woodley of the Seekers.[5]

Outside of performing Newton ran workshops and seminars on music in both Western Australia and Victoria.[2] He was the CEO of the Western Australian Music Industry Association in the 1990s, before he relocated to Victoria where took a similar role at the Victorian Rock Foundation.[6] For 18 years he was a member of teaching staff at North Melbourne Institute of TAFE (Technical and Further Education) running a course on Music Business.[2][6][7]

In 2013 he also became President of Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) replacing John Williamson.[8] As of March 2022 he still held that position.[9]

He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day, 2013 for "service to the performing arts as an entertainer and advocate."[10][6][11] Along with fellow Bushwacker Roger Corbett, Newton was added to the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown in 2021.[1]

In August 2023, Newton performed a rendition of his song "I Am Australian", alongside fellow Bushwacker Roger Corbett, in their audition on the twelfth season of The Voice Australia, in which they received a four-chair turn before securing a place on coach Jessica Mauboy's team.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Bushwackers Inducted into Australian Country Music Roll of Renown". Tamworth Country Music Festival (TCMF). Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b c "Dobe Newton". Country Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ a b McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'The Bushwackers'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 28 June 2004.
  4. ^ Hayley (13 May 2021). "The Bushwackers Celebrate 50 Years with New Single 'Diggin' for Gold'". 3 Kool n Deadly. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  5. ^ "I am Australian songwriter 'brought undone' as tune becomes an isolation anthem". ABC News. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Belt, Rebecca (26 January 2013). "Tamworth News: OAM for Dobe Coming in 2013". Northern Daily Leader. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ Mihelakos, Mary (27 July 2012). "Aussies Join Yanks at Their Own Game". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Dobe Newton new president of CMAA". ABC News. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  9. ^ "CMAA 50th Anniversary the Winners Pre-Order Now!". www.country.com.au. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  10. ^ Hayley (26 January 2021). "Dobe Newton OAM Yarns on Kool N Deadly". 3 Kool n Deadly. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Award Extract: Name Mr Dobe Newton". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 26 January 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  12. ^ Knox, David (22 August 2023). "The Bushwackers compete on The Voice". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
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