Well, here we are, three quarters through another year already. As this newsletter goes to print, we are currently in SA enjoying the last week of our holidays, exploring the beauty of the Flinders Ranges. We have had a fantastic time over the past six weeks, highlighted by my fishing charter trip out of King Ash Bay (Gulf of Carpentaria) and, believe it or not, I did manage to land a few into the boat, bagging out on snapper and landing a good size Queen fish.

As the last newsletter went to print, we were still up at Daly Waters, which again turned out to be a very successful tourist season, where we caught up with many fans and made several new ones. We will be returning to Daly Waters in 2019, starting in late July and going through until mid-August. From Daly Waters, it was back down to Camooweal for the Drovers’ Festival again this year, which was a good weekend –I met up, and shared the stage with, fellow balladeer Bruce Lavender. Whilst at Camooweal, a service was held for the late Jeff Simpson, who was very instrumental in erecting and setting up the Drovers’ Camp Heritage Centre. Sadly Jeff passed away earlier this year.

From Camooweal, it was back out across the Barkly and across the Tableland Highway HENCE THE NAME - one of the worst roads I’ve travelled on in many years - up to Cape Crawford, then on to Boorooloola, then up to King Ash Bay - a dream come true. Although I was on holidays, news spread and I ended up playing two nights at the Fishing Club. Our plan of a five night stay ended up being ten!  Following on from a day out on the fishing charter boat, Doddsy decided to drop the tinny in with us both keen to catch the monster Barra that had managed to elude us every day. Maybe if we were chasing crocs we would have been in luck, as there were plenty around. Thanks to the generosity of some other fishermen, we left King Ash Bay with fridges full of Barra!

Slowly we have made our way back down the Centre, enjoying some great campouts and campfires along the way, not forgetting to mention the sunrises and sunsets. As the holiday nears an end, it will be back to work starting at Port Pirie Festival on Saturday night 13 October, then on to Rosewood festival the following weekend on 20-21 October. From Rosewood, we’ll head home and into the studio for a couple of days to do some more recording for the new Album.  At this stage, all is coming together and the first single from the Album has been released to radio, “Dust of Australia”, so keep your ears to your local FM Station if they air a country music program. 

After a couple of weeks at home, November sees me on the road again, starting off at Gilgandra Bowls Club on Friday, 2 November; Narrabri RSL on Sunday, 4 November; Amaroo Tavern, Moree on Friday, 9 November; St George Shire Hall on Sunday, 11 November; Surat Hotel on Friday, 16 November; Morven CWA Hall on Saturday, 17 November; Port of Bourke Hotel, Bourke on Saturday, 24 November; Cobar RSL on Friday, 30 November; Nyngan RSL on Saturday, 1 December.  A full listing with starting times is available on my website www.tommaxwell.com.au -should you require further details give us a call on 0456 780 824.

Well folks, that’s the latest happenings; hope to catch up down the track somewhere, sometime soon.

Regards, Tom

Quick Joke:

An elderly lady said to her friend, “I wore something today that I haven’t worn for 5 years, and it actually fitted!”

“What was it?”

“A scarf.”  she replied.