The Snowy Valleys are renowned for their waterways, which attract outdoor adventurers.
In this episode of Back Roads, Heather Ewart is in search of what gives Tumut, a town nestled in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, its distinctive character.
Heather discovers this community, of around six thousand locals, has a long tradition of coming together through music.
One of the region’s most popular performers is handsome and charismatic Tumut local, Len. He’s Australia’s only Aboriginal Elvis Tribute Artist and serenades a delighted Heather in the town’s historic art-deco theatre.
Heather also meets 20-something Andrew Wortes, who calls himself the Singing Broom-maker. His passion for music goes hand in hand with his skill in the art of broom making. Millet brooms are handmade the same way they’ve been since 1946, at the historic Tumut Broom Factory.
At the local community pre-school, Heather meets Uncle Pat, older brother to Aboriginal ‘Elvis’. Loved by the children Uncle Pat plays his guitar and sings along with them in Wiradjuri and English. Heather is amazed to hear pre-schoolers, non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal, using Wiradjuri words in their everyday language.
Uncle Pat is joined by Aunties Soni and Phyllis. These three Wiradjuri elders grew up in harsh conditions at the former Brungle Mission, where Aboriginal people were once banished because the residents of Tumut and Gundagai refused to have them in their towns.
By sharing traditions, Uncle Pat and the two Aunties are helping to heal the wounds of the past and bring the community together.
This is typical ABC!!!!What a load of garbage. 😡I was born & bred in Tumut and this was so wrong in how the town was shown.Some of my best friends were Aboriginal . Yes,one of them lived in Brungle ( not in a mission)but they weren’t excluded. I am 69 years old. Why didn’t Heather visit the local Pubs or talk to the older people of the town( maybe the local Mayor/Councillors)I am sure most townsfolk will be disgusted with this programme! Yes there may have been a mission at Brungle a very long time ago but why didn’t Heather mention how many a Tumut’s famous sportspeople were Aboriginal, Neil Bulger to name one.ABC Presenters are so woke, left & so out of touch with most of the Australian public so many people are turning them off.They have their own agenda & seem hell- bent on forcing their views on everyone.Why aren’t the ABC honouring their Charter of being neutral!!!!!
Wasn’t happy how you portrayed my old town Heather , I was born there in 1963 , and went to school with my good friends who where indigenous from kindy to high school , we all played sports together and there was never no racist remarks , so I think you should do sorry to the local white folks mate
Heather Ewart does not explore the Back Roads of Tumut. She does not explore the people who live and work there, play the many sports available in the town, the service clubs, the many tourism venues, accommodation, restaurants. She does not honor some of the older residents who have put all of their spare time into the betterment of the town. She does not explore the relativity of the town to the Snowy scheme, then or now.. I like the lady, and I used to like the show, but it is becoming a vehicle, NOT TO BRIDGE THE GAP, but to open it wider, which would totally suit the “rainbow weirdos” who now run the ABC.