While we were at the unveiling of Beccy Cole’s Roll of Renown plaque on Thurday morning, a photographer from the Northern Daily Leader took our photos and these were published in Friday’s edition. Neen and I were wearing our Beccy Cole T-shirts. Anita was chatting to Roadies we haven’t seen for two years. The photographer didn’t realise he also took a photo of Beccy’s dad and brother, who didn’t enlighten him.
We had breakfast at Hissy Fits Cafe on Peel St – I like the name as it sounds like Hussy Hicks. The only table in the shade was occupied by a man, but he was happy for us to share the table with him. It was very busy but the food and coffees were served promptly. Anita was happy with her eggs and my fruit and nut sourdough toast was very good.
While Anita was shopping at Woolworths our Toyota suffered a flat battery. I left it for a while and got it started, but kept it running until we drove to the Toyota Service depot for a new battery. It is not worth taking the risk of further battery issues travelling in remote areas of Australia, and it was Friday afternoon before a long weekend.
Our evening concert was the Hussy Hicks and Ricky Albeck, Beccy’s son. Beccy was there so we had a brief catchup.
On Saturday morning Anita had an early morning appointment to have her nails done in town. Bluey waited with me while I enjoyed another breakfast at the Hissy Fits Cafe. I then took Anita and Blue back to the caravan park as I had a ticket to see the Bushwackers at the Dag Sheep Station out past Nundle. On my way there I stopped at the historic Nundle wool shop to stock up on balls of 4 ply wool. There is some lovely scenery out that way, such as these hills draped with low clouds.
I enjoyed the show, more so than the lunch that was included in the ticket price. The Bushwackers first played in 1971 and about 100 musicians have been members of the band since then for differing periods of time. Dobe Newton is the longest serving member of the group. He and Bruce Woodley of the Seekers wrote I Am Australian. Today Dobe implied he only wrote the chorus, but he is generally self deprecating.
The highlight of the Festival was Beccy’s show Saturday night. It was the only sold-out show held at Wests Leagues Club this Festival. Most of the crowd was there to support Beccy, being aware of her struggles since the sudden ending of her marriage to Libby O’Donovan.
Beccy shared some of what she has been through since being “ghosted”. One day she had a loving partner, but the next day she was gone without any explanation why. Three days later Libby had involved lawyers in the inevitable property settlement. Beccy said she has experienced a broken heart in the past, but she felt this time her heart dissolved. She has been in a very bad way but seems to have benefitted from intensive therapy. Ricky and some dedicated friends have literally been looking after her and managing her businesses.
The concert was probably the best we have ever seen. While there were times when she struggled with her emotions, Beccy was back singing her old songs. She even managed several funny lines – such as she is the only country singer to have divorced a husband and a wife. Beccy’s last album includes a clever song about Libby titled My Wife’s Got Balls, but of course Beccy quipped she does not have balls. Not once did she use Libby’s name, but all of her comments were fair and matter-of-fact.
Committed Travellers 