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Doug Eaton, born in Brisbane, Qld 1938 recalls his family background; his father's (a school principal) involvement in theatre; his father's friendship with Vance Palmer (publisher of song folio entitled Old Australian bush ballads) who introduced him to John and Kate Manifold; his first meeting and singing with the Manifolds on musical evenings of Australian bush songs and music in their home at Wynnum, Qld; Manifold's influence on his life, leading to his musical education; The Bandicoots, Manifold's Wynnum based group of musicians; highlights of concert party performances for Communist Party functions, 2nd Adelaide Festival of Arts (1962), content of shows in Adelaide, Orange Festival (1964: N.S.W.) and Perth Festival (1966: W.A.); being dissuaded from joining in the folk movement because of Manifold's views.
Eaton speaks about his work with school kids, making instruments, many who passed through his classess became well known musicians; publishing of Manifold's ballad broadsheets titled Bandicoot Ballads and song books Who wrote the ballads? and Australian song book; ballads, reference to Bunyip and the Whistling Kettle; 1968 his introduction to the craft of making musical instruments, guitars, violin bows, bamboo flutes; the formation of Early Music Society; the beginnings of instrument making workshops under Geoff's Wills house who with an Australia Council Grant bought equipment for 6 or 8 people, Don Henderson joining the teaching group, the workshop becoming a Communist Party meeting place; Manifold, a writer of more than poetry, wrote books on music, left masses of unpublished works after his death; The Bandicoots continued, details of the group; talk of Manifold's legacy.
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