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Greetings from David Croser, ('The Cocky from Koolywurtie')

Since my last update, I've performed in various parts of the country, starting with the ‘Regional Recharge’ event, held at Warooka, at the bottom end of Yorke Peninsula. This showcased the services available to residents of Yorke Peninsula, in regards to men’s health, emphasising mental health. It also included lots of other Government and community programs, which make life in the country more fulfilling. Helen also read some of her thought provoking poems. On Feb. 13th and 14th, I was one of the many artists to perform at the ‘Alcheringa Shindig’, near Wellington, (SA), in aid of the ‘RFDS’.
Everyone was shocked to hear of Slim Conner’s death, on Feb. 12th, as he had been a regular entertainer at earlier ‘Shindigs’. For the previous two years, Slim and I had sung ‘The Flying Doctor’ song, (written by Buddy Williams), as a duet. My sympathy goes to Gwen, and other members of Slim’s family. For a welcome change, the weather was much cooler than the previous few ‘Shindigs’, and this helped everyone enjoy the two days of entertainment, resulting in the largest amount of funds raised at an ‘Alcherina Shindig’ so far. I busked at the ‘Yackandandah Folk Fair’, on March 21st, and this was followed on the 24th, when Helen and I performed at the historic ‘Kinross Woolshed Hotel’, near Albury. Recently I took part in the extremely successful first 'Lameroo Country Music Festival', in Lameroo’s very large Memorial Hall on May 1st. This continued into Sunday, May 2nd, due to popular demand.
The event was organized to raise funds for the upkeep of the Hall, and was successful in attracting well over 400 people, who were entertained by Craig Giles, Rick Bartlett, Graeme Hugo, David Croser, 'Heartland', 'Wildcard', 'The Cruisers', Kristal Collins, 'The Texettes', and Allan Carroll, (who was also the 'MC'). Luke Fritsch also entertained, with his award winning Whip Cracking displays. Unfortunately, 'Chooka' Williams wasn't able to attend, due to illness.
This event was promoted by 'Big River Entertainment', and the Sound in the Auditorium was provided by 'Red Brick Sound'. As well as the Auditorium, a very large Supper Room provided a second area of entertainment on the Saturday, and this room was also used on the Sunday, when Craig Giles, David Croser, Rick Bartlett, and Allan Carroll sang, and Helen read some more of her poems. Because of the success of this first event, a second 'Lameroo Country Music Festival' is planned for April 30th, 2011, so I would advise people to book early, in regards to accommodation, etc.
The following weekend, on Saturday, May 8th, Helen and I entertained at the 'Kapunda Country Music For Cancer Research Concert'. This concert featured South Australian artists, from 11 am to 9 pm. With all artists donating their services, it is hoped this event continues to provide funds towards Cancer Research. This need was brought home to us by the recent death from cancer, in late March, of the organizer of this years concert, Jeff Rattew, (better known as 'JJ, the DJ').
He had organized last years concert, and had been involved for a few years in other ways. (Bill Clarke, of ‘City Cowboys’, took over the running of this years event). On April 16th, Helen and I were guest artists at the Ardrossan (SA) concert, put on by ‘Peter Coad and the Coad Sisters’. As usual, they put on a very entertaining show. Their mother, Margaret, also played some ‘Old Time Favourites’ on the keyboard, and had the crowd singing along with her. On May 14th, I sang my tribute song to Captain Harry Butler, titled ‘Harry Butler is our Hero’, at a lunch in Minlaton, to honour Owen Zupp. Owen was flying a ‘Jabiru’ light plane around Australia, to celebrate 100 years of powered flight in Australia, to help raise funds for the ‘RFDS’. He was pleased to take a short break to view the ‘Red Devil’, (the ‘Bristol’ monoplane brought back from the First World War by Harry). This plane was used by Harry to fly the first Airmail over water in the Southern Hemisphere, on Aug. 6th, 1919, and also at Barnstorming displays around the country. It is on display in a purpose built hanger in Minlaton. Owen liked the song, and said he may use it on a DVD he is making of his trip. This will be available to raise additional funds for the ‘RFDS’.
Due to the interest shown in the first ‘Minlaton Music Muster’, held on Nov. 29th last year, planning is well under way for the second ‘Minlaton Music Muster’ to be held on July 25th, 2010. This year’s event will feature South Australian artists, including Rodney Noll, (Blanchetown), David Pearce, (Kadina), Phill Dunning, (Adelaide), and local artists, Peter Cook, Laurel Croser, and myself. Helen will also bring some of her ‘Poems from the Heart’. (For further information, contact me on 0428 951 889. This is another fundraiser for the ‘RFDS’, to be held in the Minlaton Golf Club.
Having recently sold two thirds of our farm, we are no longer involved in grain growing. It is looking like we made a good decision, as there has been a lack of follow-up rains, plus lots of mice and the looming threat of locusts. Combined with the usual frustrations of high fuel and fertilizer costs, life is being made more difficult than usual for farmers trying to make a profit, and to get some reward for all their time and effort.
In closing, please spare a thought for the farmers who are battling away out there, and a few prayers wouldn’t go astray!
All the best from David Croser.
(‘The Cocky from Koolywurtie’).

Insert via Helen Croser
News Flash!! - Sun 30th May!!!
"This morning, Jan Croser rang from interstate to make sure we were tuned in (half an hour later) to the ABC program "Australia All Over." David's song "The Cocky from Koolywurtie" was presented with a commentary by "Macca" in the "Why I live where I live" section.
(I felt very proud of myself when I later accessed the "Australia All Over" website, selected 'Listen' and was able to 'relive the moment' by accessing the last seventh section of the 8-9a.m. program! I was then able to pass the info on to David's brother in Queensland, who had been a bit put out that we hadn't alerted him to listen! They had been informed by friends who had heard David sing on the program!"

Email David Croser

Harry Butler is our Hero.

Captain Harry Butler is a hero in our town,
A Koolywurtie farmer whose brave deeds brought him renown,
Flying was his passion, in the days when ‘planes were new,
He soon learnt to fly them, and showed folks what he could do.

He’d barrel roll and loop the loop, and climb into the clouds,
Then he would come diving down, to thrill the gathered crowds.
The people watching wondered, how a man could do these things,
But Harry wasn’t phased at all, ‘cos Harry, he had wings.

He was born in Yorketown hospital, in 1889,
Christened Henry John, but to him Harry sounded fine,
Attended Koolywurtie school, and learnt to read and write,
These skills and some others helped him in his quest for flight.

Chorus
Now Harry’s still a hero here in Minlaton today,
You won’t hear a bad word about him, and I pray
Things will stay like this and his good name will carry on,
Yes, Harry’s still a hero, in his hometown, Minlaton.

At the age of twenty-seven, he sailed off to England’s shore,
And once there enlisted in the ‘Royal Flying Corps.’
At first they kept him on the ground, to Harry’s great dismay
Finally he got his chance, and put on a grand display.

Next thing he was flying over France and off to war,
Things he did in battle soon earned other pilot’s awe,
He won two ‘Air Force Crosses’ for his exploits in the air,
Young Harry took it in his stride, and didn’t seem to care.

Then Harry started teaching young trainees how to fly,
He taught them all the skills they’d need, while they were on high.
Two thousand, seven hundred, he instructed in this way,
I guess some of his tactics are still being taught today.

Chorus
Now Harry’s still a hero here in Minlaton today,
You won’t hear a bad word about him, and I pray
Things will stay like this and his good name will carry on,
Yes, Harry’s still a hero, in his hometown, Minlaton.

Now when the war was won, and Harry sailed back home
He brought back to Australia, two airplanes of his own.
One, a ‘Bristol’ monoplane, all painted up in red,
Plus an ‘Avro’ bi-plane, and both sure could turn a head.

It was on the 6th of August, in nineteen nineteen,
When Harry and his ‘Red Devil’, they burst upon the scene.
The first to carry airmail, over water in this land,
Six thousand people witnessed, this great event first hand.

But disaster struck our Harry, when in nineteen twenty two,
He crashed his ‘Avro’ bi-plane, just south of town, it’s true.
Although he survived the crash, his last 18 months were poor,
‘Till an abscess on his brain took him, aged only thirty four.

Chorus
Now Harry’s still a hero here in Minlaton today,
You won’t hear a bad word about him, and I pray
Things will stay like this and his good name will carry on,
Yes, Harry’s still a hero, in his hometown, Minlaton.
Yes, Harry’s still a hero, in my hometown, Minlaton.

© David Croser 2009
E-mail: David Croser

BIO
David Croser - “The Cocky from Koolywurtie”
 
David Croser is a farmer/singer/songwriter, living on a small farm out of Minlaton, in the district of Koolywurtie, on Yorke Peninsula S.A. The farm produces barley and beef cattle.

He has been involved with music since the early 60’s. He was a rhythm guitarist and vocalist with local band the “New Minlatones”, and “Gum Flat Revival” between 1970 and 1987, winning several Country Music awards at Portland (Vic) and in the Riverland and Port Pirie (S.A.). His song “Fuelled up and Rolling” was used as the title tune for a cassette produced by the band.

David has recorded two 14 track CDs (in 2003 and 2005) titled “Proud to be a Farmer” and “Man on the Land” and has co-written one song with his wife, Helen. David has plans to record a third CD during 2007.

He has entered and won awards at country music talent quests as a solo artist and songwriter since 1997 at Mt. Gambier, Port Pirie and Port Augusta.
David was placed 3rd in the 2000 APRA S.A.Country Music Song-writing Awards run by the South Australian Council for Country Music.

He was a finalist in the Male Vocal section of the South Australian Champion of Champions in 2000 and a Grand Finalist in the Bush Balladeer’s Star Quest in Tamworth in 2002. In 2004, he was a finalist in the New Talent section of the Stan Coster Memorial Australian Bush Ballad Awards at the Bungendore Country Muster.

In 2006, David was a finalist in the “Australia” section of the Australian Songwriters Association song-writing contest with his song, “Rivers of Australia”. This song features on his “Man on the Land” CD.

Product

NEW CD !!!
The Cocky from Koolywurtie

Track listing:

01. The Cockie From Koolywurtie. 02. If I Had Wings. 03. Carve Your name In My Saddle. 04. The Old Draught Horse. 05. People, Times and Places. 06. It's Over and Done. 07. Saddle Boy. 08. Where her Spirit's Free. 09. A Special place In Heaven. 10. One last Look. 11. A Kangaroo's point Of View. 12. Banjo and Henry. 13. Old Gilbert. 14. Save The Bush Ballad.

The CD retails at $25 plus $2 postage and handling.

>>The C.D is also available through 'Mulga Music Promotions', in Tamworth.
Their e-mail address is mulga@tpg.com.au, and their web site is www.mulgamusic.com.au, or you can obtain C.D's by writing to them at P.O. Box 664 Tamworth. N.S.W. 2340.
If you are travelling through Tamworth they are also available from the Australian Country Music Foundation, 93 Brisbane Street, Tamworth.

"MAN ON THE LAND"
AVAILABLE NOW!

» CREDIT CARD?
>>If you wish to purchase this album with credit card please go to the Brisbane Country Music Store - direct to "Man On The Land"
COUNTRY MUSIC STORE LINK  --- HERE SOON!!!!!

>>The C.D is also available through 'Mulga Music Promotions', in Tamworth.
Their e-mail address is mulga@tpg.com.au, and their web site is www.mulgamusic.com.au, or you can obtain C.D's by writing to them at P.O. Box 664 Tamworth. N.S.W. 2340.
If you are travelling through Tamworth they are also available from the Australian Country Music Foundation, 93 Brisbane Street, Tamworth.

Debut album
"PROUD TO BE A FARMER"
Featuring 14 tracks, Including 7 originals
$20 plus $2 postage and handling.
» CREDIT CARD?
>>If you wish to purchase this album with credit card please go to the Brisbane Country Music Store
- direct to "Proud To Be a Farmer"
COUNTRY MUSIC STORE LINK

>>The C.D is also available through 'Mulga Music Promotions', in Tamworth.
Their e-mail address is mulga@tpg.com.au, and their web site is www.mulgamusic.com.au, or you can obtain C.D's by writing to them at P.O. Box 664 Tamworth. N.S.W. 2340.
If you are travelling through Tamworth they are also available from the Australian Country Music Foundation, 93 Brisbane Street, Tamworth.

>>TOUR DATES