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World famous, Australian-born singer. Peter Dawson, who is on
his ninth tour of Australia and third visit to Mount Gambler, will
sing in the Odeon Theatre tonight.
He arrived by plane from Melbourne yesterday morning, and
is staying at Jens'.
Described by the AM.C. Programme Director (Mr.- Athol
Lykke) as "the most lovable artist with whom I have ever
been connected." Mr. Dawson has a jovial personality, and thor
oughly entertained everyone with whom he came in contact in Mt.
Gambler. .
He is accompanied mi Jiis tour |
by Australian pianis|: jfGeoff reyj
Parsons, who is weil^hown in ]
Mount Gambier.
Mr. Dawson's first visit to Mt.
Gambier wa§ 40 years a~o, when
he was on tour with Amy Castles
He again visited the town late
in 1914, just before war was de
clared. At that time Mr: Rook
was conducting the JMEount Gam
bier Hotel. "He was a keen racing
man, and gave us the tip that his
horse, Miss Adventure, would
win at Port Adelaide that Satur
day. I got more out of that horse
than my concert," said Mr. Daw
son-when interviewed yesterday.
At that time he had been trav
elling throughout Australia, from
the drought areas of Queensland,
south. "When we came within 100
miles of Mount Gambier we could
see the beautiful countryside. Mt.
Gambier is still as beautiful as
ever," he said.
A "LUCKY SONG"
Born in Adelaide, Mr. Dawson
first began singing 50 years ago
in" the Messiah. "One of the first
songs I sang, 'O Ruddier than the
Cherry' I will sing tonight. It has
been one of my lucky songs. Hear
ing me singing it at a concert in
1942, the New Zealand Broadcast
ing Commission invited me over to
sing at functions supporting their
first £15,000,000 loan. I. was on
contract for four weeks, and the
loan was filled in three."
Mr. Dawson. has made severah
trips between England and Aus
tralia, and says "I have lived in
London for 40 years- I would make
a good guide if ever you require
one." - I
He returned to England at the ]
end of the war in 1946, where he |
was under contract for 70 con
certs. He gave 8t/. He also made:
25 broadcasts for the B.B.C. and j
gave eight recording sessions for!
H.M.V.
He hopes to be back in England,
where composers are waiting for
him, by Xmas time.
Mount Gambier is the only j
South Australian country town j
that Mr. Dawson is visiting on this I
tour. At Broken Hill, a fortnight .
ago, he was given a great recep
tion. At the Flying Doctor base j
he spoke over the radio network
to outlying stations. Included 1
among his listeners was a 92 years
old woman.
Most big Victorian towns have
been visited. . v
STAYS IN EMPIRE
*
Besides Australia, Mr. Dawson
has sung in most countries in the
British Empire. However, he has
never visited America, or Euro
pean "countries, because he does
not like leaving the Empire.
At the conclusion of this trip,
he will tour New Zealand, Canada
and England with Geoffrey Par
sons, .whom he describes as an
outstanding musician and a splen-1
did "accompanist. I
His wife accompanied him to j
Western Australia when he sang j
there, but she is at present in
Melbourne. *
Last time lie was here, Mrs.
Dawson sang as a soprano, but
following an accident was forced
to give up the concert platform.
When Mr. Dawson is not sing
ing, he takes on the role of com
poser. "I have sneaked one of my
compositions, in on tonight's pro
gramme," he added.
KEEN*; GAKDENEB:,; -
When he is not composing,, he
is a keen gardener. "I grew
champion tomatoes when I was
living in Sydney. But the wilt is.
bad. Some solution will have to
be found."
He was emphatic that he was
not a football or racing fan. "In
England you. stand around getting
cold feet watching these sports,
and that is no good for me," he
said.
Mr. Dawson has appeared in
three films. They include "O.K.
For Sound," in which he appeared
with the Crazv Gang. An interest
ing feature of film production,
he said, was that the recording
was made of his voice in a studio
and when shots were taken he
had to move his lips as though hie
were singing.
Of the Odeon Theatre, Mr. Daw
; son said, "It is a marvellous
theatre. I have never seen any
thing in Australia quite like it."
Mr. Dawson and Mr. Parsons
balled on the Mayor (Mr. W: E.
Pyne) this morning.
The recital will be broadcast
over 5AN from 8.15 to 8.45 p.m.
^Because of this, the concert will
I commence at 815 sharp.
$