Princess Judith’s Jubilee

Aussie royalty, The Seekers, are back to celebrate their golden jubilee this year. The year sees two covers, The Beatles ‘In this life’ and ‘Silver threads and golden needles’ released, with accompanying film clips . The group will also tour around Australia. I spoke to Judith Durham, the Tassie member of the group, a little while ago. Judith was sad that the upcoming tour won’t include Tasmania even though she pushed for a Tasmanian date. Judith encourages fans from Tasmania to write to the promoters to say they would like to see the seekers visit Tasmania because Judith believes that even in this time of technology that allows you to see your favourite bands play on you-tube nothing can capture the magic and atmosphere of a live performance.

The name Durham originates from the word ‘dun’ which means ‘hill’ and ‘holme’ which means ‘island’ and it seems serendipitous for Judith Durham being a girl from an island home Judith is originally from Taroona, the suburb that was also home to the now Crown princess Mary of Denmark, it seems fitting that the royal princess and the original pop princess are both Taroona and especially Tassie girls.

Judith has commemorated her childhood in Tasmania with a song’ Happy Years I spent in Hobart’ on her ‘Australia suite’. Judith was travelling in the US when she became aware of the many songs written about US states, yet Australia did not share this practise. This set Judith off on a mission to honour in song the states of Australia.

The Tasmanian song ‘Happy Years I Spent In Hobart’ is full of nostalgia and encapsulates beautifully the accessibility in Tasmania of beach and bush where

“the summers there were fine and mild
the bush was right at our back door.”

“to farmer Dixons fields we’d go”

The farm she walked through is now the new Taroona high school and indeed walking these fields was an education in ideal freedom and beauty of her island home.

“but life can not be all so free
and time brings change and destiny
yet memories will never die
of blackberries and apple pie”

The recordings showed Judith’s caring side with the proceeds of the album contributed to the Lord Mayor’s charity fund.

Judith continues on her caring and creative quest. Just recently she was inspired by an advertisement asking for blood donations by the Red Cross and Judith wrote a poem addressing those sentiments.

As well as a songstress and composer in her own right Judith contributed immensely to The Seekers, and it’s fitting to remind ourselves of what this ground breaking band achieved including a number of firsts for an Australian band.

Among them, 3 number ones in the UK and one in the US. The largest crowd on record for an audience in the Southern hemisphere and an Academy Award nomination for their song ‘Georgy Girl’.

The Seekers also have the honour of being the only group in the world still retaining its the original members . Judith explains this longevity. There was no one like them before, innovative, they would gather peers in Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul and Mary. The Seekers surprised everyone with their niche markets music, the music has wide appeal to all age groups and all cultures. There was never any bickering between the band members and their aim was never fame as well as that they all had great respect for each other hence the fact they have stayed friends and band members.

The name The Seekers for the band, says Judith, was decided by a coin toss between Keith and Athol. They had been coming up with names and thought of calling the band ‘The Searchers’ but discovered there as a already a British group with that name. So the coin toss gave them a antidote and an antonym.

Whatever it was The Seekers were ‘searching’ for they have discovered gold as appropriately they celebrate their golden jubilee tour.

A third concert has already sold out in Melbourne for those who are interested in making the journey to celebrate with Judith and the guys.

You can see The Seekers on their Golden Jubilee tour at the following dates:

BRISBANE CONVENTION CENTRE 1 MAY & 7 JUNE
CANBERRA ROYAL THEATRE FRIDAY 3 MAY
SYDNEY STATE THEATRE 6, 7, 8 & 9 MAY
NEWCASTLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE SATURDAY 11 MAY
MELBOURNE HAMER HALL 14, 15 & 22 MAY
WOLLONGONG ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE SATURDAY 18 MAY
ADELAIDE AEC THEATRE 25 & 26 MAY
PERTH RIVERSIDE THEATRE 30 & 31 MAY

You can also keep up-to-date with the guys and with Judith at the following sites:

http://www.theseekers50th.com/www/home/

http://www.judithdurham.com/
Paula Xiberras