Margaret shares memories of Slim Dusty

With the feature film, ‘Slim and I,’ coming out this year, Resthaven Mount Gambier resident, Mrs Margaret Dohling, was inspired to share some of her memories of her husband, John, who was one of Slim Dusty’s song writers.

Margaret recalls that one day, when John was writing songs, she had suggested to him that the songs were good enough to be recorded. Even though she says he ‘scoffed at this idea,’ she organised for him to sing on The Variety Show on Channel 8 (which was then the local television station in Mount Gambier).

His songs were well received by the audience, and the station rang John to let him know about all the positive feedback that they had received from the public.

Margaret then suggested to John to sit down and record his songs, so they purchased a cassette recorder and some cassettes, and he recorded some songs.

Margaret then sent these on to none other than Slim Dusty himself, who, to everyone’s delight, rang back! It was from here that the working relationship began.

According to Margaret, Slim was continuously ringing John to see if he had composed new songs that he could record.

John Dohling wrote 30 songs for Slim Dusty, although not all were recorded.

John now has a photo and a plaque dedicated to him in a Hall of Fame, with a plaque that reads: ‘John Dohling, a true Bushman’.

Thank you for sharing your story, Margaret!

Celebrating 85 years in 2020, Resthaven Incorporated is a not for profit, South Australian aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church. Resthaven’s residential and in-home care and support options are offered throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Barossa, Fleurieu Peninsula and the Limestone Coast.