Merv Lilley interviewed by Alex and Annette Hood in the Alex Hood folklore collection [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 3308955
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Lilley, Merv, 1919-2016, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, written permission is required for personal copies & public use.
- Description:
-
- 2004 Nov. 30
- 2 digital audio tapes (ca. 123 min.)
- Series:
- Alex Hood folklore collection.
- Summary:
-
Merv Lilley born Rockhampton, Qld. talks about his family background and ancestry; the Murphy Murders in Gatton, Qld.; reading the book "Gatton Man"; the book "The Channels"; his father and his relationship with his two sons; his father teaching his sons to fight; living on the farm while his father was away working as a commercial traveller; suffering a "rupture" from heavy lifting, his work and relatives; Charles "Bluey" Bostock; dairy work in Mackay; the possum season, skinning of possums; the shooting of koalas; working on Cleve Station, out from Marlborough; an operation for his "rupture"; joining the army following an argument with his father; his mother and her relationship with father; his writing beginnings, a teacher's encouragement for writing and recitation; leaving school and his first jobs; the reality of life in the bush; his interest in the Communist Party; smoking.
Lilley speaks about working for Brett's sawmills for 12 months (1944) after leaving the Army; training for boxing at "Snowy Smith's" Gymnasium; a bike accident; George McKinnon; Army life and being on Goods Island when John Gorton was shot down; the army refusing to recognise the men of island service; a post-war battle for recognition; the bombing on Horne Island; a court marshal; his decision to leave the army; being unable to box due to injury, his regrets about this; talks of fighting techniques; his fitness; the last fight; "Bronco Johnson" and his troupe; Cassius Clay; Tom O'Flynn; Alex Hood talks about Merv's songs, published by the Bush Music Club; a misunderstanding with John Meredith; how he met Dorothy Hewitt; meeting Zoe O'Leary from "Realist Writers"; advice given about how to write; meeting Dorothy in Melbourne when she wrote "Bobbin Up"; being regarded as a "Revisionist"; the Australasian Book Society; being asked by Dorothy to go to Perth to learn to write poetry; communicating through John Meredith.
- Biography/History:
-
Merv Lilley is a well known writer of prose and verse. His connections with progressive left wing artists and writers, along with his years of experience working around the country as a farm labourer, cane cutter, station hand, seaman and professional boxer have given his writings an authentic and penetrating quality, which show him to be a true chronicler of his life and times. His working partnership with Dorothy Hewitt forged a common concern and love for the Australia of the working people. He has been very active in writers' organisations and many of his poems have been set to music and are part of many singers' repertoires.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on Nov. 30, 2004 at Faulconbridge, N.S.W.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (8 p.)
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Other authors/contributors:
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Alex Hood folklore collection.
This collection contains 186 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2074 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2004
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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