The Australian legacy of Slim Dusty continues to grow with the official announcement that the nationally significant Slim Dusty Centre, incorporating the long awaited Slim Dusty Museum, will officially open in Kempsey, on the Macleay Valley Coast NSW, this October 2015. The Slim Dusty Centre will be a major “must see” attraction for national and international tourists alike.

Throughout his long and hugely successful career, this Australian music pioneer achieved so many “firsts” in the Australian entertainment industry. Even now, twelve years after his passing, the King of Australian country music is still achieving those industry breakthroughs. With the opening of the Slim Dusty Centre, Slim will become the first ever Australian entertainment artist to have a dedicated permanent museum established to celebrate his music and life story! Slim Dusty took his unique Australian country music touring show all the way from his Nulla Nulla Creek home to the cities and indeed, to every nook and cranny of this vast land, and now it is fitting that in October his show and his music return to his birthplace of Kempsey.

“We have a wealth of memorabilia and rare archival material which will be presented in a highly professional and entertaining way for visitors to see and of course, to hear. With room for the museum exhibition to expand and grow in the coming years, the displays will eventually accommodate the full collection, which is overwhelming in its breadth.” said Joy McKean, Slim’s wife and partner of more than 50 years.

Slim was closely involved in the early days of the project, and in the year he passed away, he said “Joy and I look forward to the eventual opening of a venture that will showcase not just my music and my life, but the role that Australian Country Music has played in the culture of the North Coast of NSW, and indeed, Australia. It is my hope and ambition that this Centre will show the integration of country music and the different facets of life in this country; also that it will assist young artists and musicians in their studies and careers. I believe too, that it will be of great benefit to the town of Kempsey and the district of the Macleay Valley.” – Slim Dusty AO MBE, 2003

The Centre is a contemporary, architect designed building, located on a 10 hectare site on the southern edge of Kempsey on the Macleay, and apart from the Museum exhibition, the centre, will also feature travelling exhibitions, a themed Café and commercial kitchen, visitors’ centre, as well as a retail area promoting local and regional products.

Already operating as a venue hosting a multitude of events and functions, the Centre will deliver major economic benefits to Slim’s hometown and community of Kempsey. Now after a long road of development and fundraising, a contract has been signed with museum specialists, Freeman Ryan Design, to undertake the establishment of the Slim Dusty exhibition for a public opening in October.

“The thanks truly belong to the fans, to the country music fraternity and to all Slim’s mates out there. To the many people who have stood by us on this journey and have supported the Foundation every step of the way….this is for you. The multitude of Slim Dusty fans will be thrilled to see the many displays and interactive features related to the music and touring that made Slim such an Australian icon” said Kathryn Yarnold (CEO of the Slim Dusty Foundation).