True soul of the Outback
Speaking out to stop bullying
THEY don’t breed them like Tom Curtain anymore.
Once upon a time you’d find his type mustering cattle, spinning a yarn around the campfire, or singing a song on a dusty track.
A bushie who can strum a guitar with one hand, while breaking in a horse with the other.
Although, for Tom, that is quite literally the case.
In his Katherine Outback Experience show, which is on tour, the Northern Territory horse breaker and two-time Golden Guitar winner provides a glimpse into the inner workings of life on a cattle station through real horse starting and working dog demonstrations, live music and storytelling.
“In between the animal training – equine psychology, why a good dog is worth three good blokes – I grab a guitar, sing a song, even on the back of a horse,” the 39-year-old says.
“It’s not a polished show at all. I don’t want it to be polished. It’s real, the work I’d be doing if the audience wasn’t there.”
Like all good bushmen, Tom also has a heart of gold, with his Speak Up tour dedicated to raising money and awareness for Dolly’s Dream.
Tom says that through his close relationship with the Northern Territory parents of Amy “Dolly” Everett, he was inspired to write his song Speak Up, following the teenager’s sudden death last year after being relentlessly bullied.
He released the single with fellow Golden Guitar winner Sara Storer, with all CD sales going to Dolly’s Dream, and sales so far tallying more than $10,000.
“I’ve broken in horses for Dolly’s parents and I knew Dolly,” Tom says.
“When I saw a photo on her Facebook with words she’d written – ‘Speak up even if your voice shakes’ – it was such a powerful line that, within two days, I’d written the song.
“On the tour we drop in to a lot of schools and talk about inclusion in the schoolyard, that if you see a kid by themselves it’s cool to include them.
“Or if you’re being bullied speak up about it, tell your teacher, a parent and don’t keep it locked up.”
Dolly’s Dream was established by the Everett family in partnership with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, says chief executive Lesley Podesta.
“Through supporting Dolly’s Dream, we will continue to change the culture of bullying in Australian schools and our community,” Lesley says.
Tom’s Speak Up tour of the east coast also touches on mental health issues related to the drought, with the singer-songwriter penning tunes about his own experiences, stories he’s told or people he’s met on the road.
Tom grew up on a 1200ha beef and cropping property in Queensland’s Kingaroy and from a young age had a hankering to live in the Northern Territory.
After studying agriculture in 2001 he went to Mt Sanford Station, 900km south of Darwin, initially as a ringer and then finessing his horse breaking skills, soon adopting US techniques that are “kinder, gentler”.
At the peak of his career Tom would break in about 150 horses a year, but these days as a contract trainer he handles about 60.
While at Mt Sanford Station, sitting around the campfire, he was introduced to the guitar and was soon being called on to sing songs at musters and rodeos.
After winning a singing contest he went to Tamworth music college for an intensive course, to learn the finer points of guitar playing, singing and songwriting, gaining crucial mentors.
His first album was released in 2004, celebrating the characters and stories of station life. In 2011, following the live beef export ban, Tom found himself out of work and in a tough spot.
He got by shoeing horses, giving riding lessons and singing at the Katherine caravan park, where the idea for the Katherine Outback Experience took shape.
The show takes place on his 8ha farm near Katherine, showing 10 horses, 15 dogs, a menagerie of ducks, chooks, pigs and goats, and even wild buffalo and donkeys he has tamed.
The east coast tour is a slightly scaled-down version, held on footy ovals, rodeo arenas and showgrounds.
Tom’s team includes four band members, an animal handler and his wife, Annabel, who is a campdrafter and an “excellent but shy” singer.
“The people I perform in front of are on my wavelength. We all understand the struggles in the bush. But I want my shows to be a place where mates and neighbours can come together, let their hair down, connect and have fun,” he says.
“There’s tough times and anxiety in rural areas, but also humour and it’s that positive side I focus on, to put a smile on people’s faces.”
“When I toured early on with my guitar I missed my horses and dogs – they recharge me and get me into the music.”
Visit tomcurtain.com.au/ tour for more information.