Page 29 - The Outdoor Showman April-June 2023

Into the Sunset
May they rest in peace.
Gone but they will live on in our memories, reflections, and stories forever.
Robert ‘Bob’ Small
2 November 1928 – 26 May 2023
Victorian Showmen’s Guild longstanding member since 1973 and awarded Life Membership in 2020.
Christopher ‘Chrissy’ Earle Johnson
Friend of the Industry
Joy McKean
14 January 1930 - 25 May 2023
Joy McKean was an Australian country music singer-songwriter and wife and manager of Slim Dusty. Joy was known as the Queen of Australian country music, and considered a pioneer in the industry, recognized as one of Australia’s leading songwriters and bush balladeers and wrote several of Dusty’s most popular songs.
In 1951, Joy McKean married Slim Dusty. The couple led their musical journey together for decades. They were blessed with two children, daughter Anne, born in 1952 and son David, born in 1958, both of whom are gifted singers and songwriters.
In 1954, Dusty and McKean launched his first travelling show, the ‘Slim Dusty Travelling show’.
He and showman Frankie Foster set up a partnership in 1956 and started touring as a big tent show.
In 1973, Joy was awarded the first ever Golden Guitar, for writing “Lights on the Hill”. Several documentary films tell of the couple’s success and adventures as performers, including The Slim Dusty Movie and Slim and I.
The McKean-Dusty partnership produced over 100 albums, and sold eight million records in Australia alone.
Joy McKean was awarded the OAM in 1991, with the citation “services to the entertainment industry” and won several APRA Awards and was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown in 1983. She was the first winner of the Golden Guitars, an award she would win 45 times in her career.
During their time on the road, Slim and Joy became friends with many travelling Showmen and the family wrote about Showmen and their travels.
Rest in peace Joy.
THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN 27
12 May 1958 – 14 May 2023
Our deepest condolences to Gary and Greg and their family and friends.
Left - Right: Mark Phillips, Max Mulhall, Chrissy Johnson, Bradley Phillips with Bobby Jnr. and Bob McDonald Snr.