Australia Day Prelude Concert

Not a seat went empty at this year’s Australia Day Prelude Concert on January 25.

By Nicholas Croker, Cadet Journalist

Simon and Shelly Loevendie (Terry ‘Toss’ Nangle’s daughter) with Peter Bensley, who gave a rousing tribute to Toss playing the ‘Wipeout’ drum solo, and Jenny Johnston. Photo by The Gilgandra Weekly: Lucie Peart.

Not a seat went empty at this year’s stunning and heartfelt Australia Day Prelude Concert. Stuart Border once again organised the event, MC’d by Guy McAnally-Elwin, and hosted by the Gilgandra Services Club on January 25. This year, the concert was held in loving memory and tribute to local friend, father, and musical talent Terry ‘Toss’ Nangle, who sadly passed last year in April, at the age of 73. Much of the night was performed in dedication to Mr Nangle, explicitly so for Peter Bensley on the drums, Janet Cheal on piano, and Maxine Elsom on the guitar. Their acts rocked the crowd and honoured their friend.

The night began with a Welcome to Country from Ralph Nalden OAM. A regular at the local event, Colin McCarthy was unable to attend in person; however, he sent in a video performance of the harmonica to which Uncle Ralph joined him and performed on his didgeridoo in the room. Stuart Dougan played a few numbers, and doctor Patrick Giltrap returned to the stage for his popular rendition of ‘The Hippopotamus Song’.

There were also other familiar performers such as Barrie Batten on the guitar and the comedian Bob Paris on stage not once, but twice. Also returning to the stage was Anne Younghusband with her clever spoken verse ‘Another Fairy Story’ and Peter Bensley with his musical spoons. Maxine and Alana Elsom performed their rendition of several songs and surprised the crowd with 16-year-old Alana’s first solo performance of Brad Cox’s ‘Beau in the Back’ - which was fantastic!

The local comedy troupe ‘LOL’ made their way to the stage with two knockout skits, ‘Checking Out’ and ‘Kath and Kim’. Lucie Peart and Jess Reed led the night to a close with a performance of ‘These Boots are Made for Walking,’ before the ‘Australian National Anthem’ and a local version of ‘We are Australian’ along with the rest of the night’s talented performers. In a surprising twist, one last song was in store: ‘Mr Postman’, in honour of the event organiser, Stuart Border. All monies raised this year will go towards the restoration of St Ambrose Memorial Church.