This is for you Mort!
Slim Dusty "Looking Forward, Looking Back"
Let's not beat around the bush eh!
The reunion was successful and the meeting culminated in an overwhelming flourish of strings, horns and kazoos ..
From the beginning the venture seemed dogged by rain and gusty winds, the crew trickled in and out over the three days, wandering around attempting valiantly to make the best of it despite the weather.
Dave 'Sons' Miller and Ross J Waters OBH
My brave little bookends appropriately geared for the stormy weather were a marvellous support to me throughout the long weekend at the MJF
Manly Wharf Hotel, bracing myself for new arrivals .. here's my old friend from Berry Street, Little Judy Miller and her partner Phil Colson. Phil had warded off the weather attack by sporting a formidable dri -as-a-bone. Judy had forgotten to bring her glasses and said I looked exactly the same as in Berry Street.
Judy and Phil
Roving guest artists The New Orlean Wanderers were next to 'appear' Peter Anson with jacket slung over one shoulder and banjo t'other looked exactly the same as the first time I saw him outside Surf City .. I too had neglected to bring my spectacles. No, seriously except for extra padding and snow on the rooftops we all looked 'exactly the same'!
Found this little pub facing Manly Beach which became our temporary home and here we are looking adoringly at Phil who opted to take this photo.
Ross, Lynne, Judy and Dave
Next to make an appearance was the inimitable Terrence Darmody
Ross and Terry
Being the mother hen of the crew I was constantly on the lookout, my aim was to keep all my eggs in one basket .. Dave, Ross, Terry and I went to search for Tony Burkys .. Terry wandered off and I became nervous, my intuition was telling me that Terry was a 'necessary ingredient' and must not stray. How right I was!

We had arranged to meet Peter in a side alley off the Corso on the Monday .. and true to form there he was avec his horn players, whose names escape me .. he had opted to quit his 'roving' and stay put, we volunteered to be rent-a-crowd. Old favourites were enjoyed including, of course Leadbelly.
'Where's Terry I wondered?,' looking up the lane.
He eventually came back to the fold, excited about having just seen the
Jugalug String Band, Philthy D and
Chris Blanchflower
I managed to get a few shots off before Peter and the boys accompanied by Terry on harp broke into
"Just a Closer Walk with Thee" .. ahh now tears were near. Must have a ciggie. I looked up and there was Terry and Peter side by side .. where's your camera girl??!! Dave's big fat head was in the way so I jumped up on the bench. Then it was as if God waved his hand things just started happening. Down the alley came
John Mackey and his partner Yuki on tambourine they took up their positions alongside Terry as if prearranged ..
then to top it off down the lane, strumming his guitar came
Tony Burkys in all his glory
Amazing eh! Set with a backdrop of 'war', an old style 'barber' and a 'psychedelic window'.
The lady next to me said, "I feel something strange, what's happening" The boys seem to be really enjoying themselves. "These guys used to play together in their teens 40 years ago .. and the jam was not prearranged". What a blessing! Terry, by this stage had whipped out his kazoo, Peter had began doing a little two-step rasping away with gusto, and the grins on all their faces were priceless. Tony later remarked that he was strolling by the lane and heard the kazoo and said to himself that could only be one person .. Terry Darmody. Much merth when Yuki whipped out her kazoo and toot tooted and we were treated to an impromtu call-response routine.
says Terry:- It was a wonderful success wasn't it? I felt that God's hand was bringing it together. I've been inspired by the 'Jesus: All About Life' campaign. I've been in the Christian way for almost 30 years & it's a major part of my life & it actually helps me to put a greater value on friendships, people & music. Anyway I think that message came through pretty clearly. 'A meeting of the minds' adds Pete.
oh and yes by the way this was how my week ended . Of course, with Jeanne Lewis at the Piccolo Bar. Plans are already underway for the next 'reunion' to be held at the Piccolo Bar later next year. Vittorio the proprietor has kindly agreed to this.
Click to view
Manly Reunion slideshow .. 45 photos and more to come from Ross J Waters!.. NOT YET!!