When the opportunity arose, through the generosity of Guinness, to formulate a series of concerts at the Illawarra Folk Festival at Jamberoo based around some of the remaining people that either John or I had recorded for NLA, this name emerged again. The series of concerts was of course dedicated to the memory of John Meredith. To me (and I believe that my ideals are very similar to John's) the sharing is not only the collected musical material but also the way of life and attitudes of these older women and men. Their stories, work, family life and music are all intertwined. To them it is not “folk music” (whatever that may be) but a way of life. They constantly swap from old set tunes to more modern material in the same bracket of music. It is a good tune irrespective of its age or origin.

The other obvious thing to me was the oneness we managed to obtain at all the concerts. There was no them and us, audience and performer situation, everyone was welcome to participate in some way.

These people are not professional performers but have the talent to hold an audience with their stories and song. Some are not overly talented with voice or instrument and yet the enjoyment of what they are doing shines through. The venue was full for most performances so we must have done something right - I was too busy immersing myself in the people and the music, renewing friendships and playing music to notice much else. There was a basic structure to the proceedings and we strayed from it, but who cared.

The National Library was well represented with Mark Cranfield Curator of Oral History, Edgar Waters Folklore Consultant and Robyn Holmes Curator of Music in attendance. The entire Library contingent remained for the duration of the festival singing and dancing with the best of them.

Robyn Holmes put it well when she admitted that her speech had been written but that she had thrown it away. She gave a great off the cuff talk on music and memory and how it had all been bought back. Indigenous singer Auriel Andrew who featured in our 'Women of the Bush' segment, also made a similar comment on memory when she reflected that “when I walked into the room and heard all the old music it bought back my childhood”. These people travelled from all over Australia and performed for only the payment of their expenses and the love of the music. Names that the younger generation had heard of only in relation to collected music were gathered in the one spot and I doubt if we will ever see it again.

Thanks to John Harpley we recorded the sessions for inclusion in the NLA collection and I believe that later generations will marvel at segments like Bill Case being able to hold an audience for over 30 minutes with a yarn about army life.

The other interesting factor was the interaction between the performers. They were introduced, started talking and playing music and within half an hour you would think they were lifelong friends. There were no egos or jealousies, only a desire to share and enjoy.

As Eileen McCoy said “we were friends when we first met but now we are special friends.”

I have these visions that come back, particularly of the last session with everyone playing and singing and dancing.  I am singing with Carrie whilst Barney is over my right shoulder playing the gumleaf and Eileen is fiddling away with that beautiful smile on her face.