DAVE'S DIARY - 27 MAY 2007 - LAWRIE WEIR OBITUARY

VALE LAWRIE WEIR
STILL RIDING THESE BLUE HIGHWAYS

"I've been riding these blue highways/ another night has made me stop/ my weary bones can go no farther/ and here's where they'll drop." - Anywhere On Earth You Are. - Danny O'Keefe-Tim Krekel

LAWRENCE DAVID WEIR - BORN BRIGHTON – DECEMBER 31, 1948
DIED - BRIGHTON - MAY 10, 2007

THE STREETS OF BRIGHTON

When Lawrie Weir roared into the world on New Year’s Eve in 1948 he was destined to live and work in fast-forward. Impromptu childhood cricket and footy games on the leafy streets of post war East Brighton and the cowboy town in his backyard nurtured his childhood and adolescent growth. They also fuelled the dreams of exploration of the breath taking mountains of Nepal, North Africa and South America and populous villages of the sub Continent and Far East. The rough and rocky routes morphed into poignant pit stops in his eternal time travel that spanned five decades. Although Lawrie, affectionately known as Flash and Loose Wire to diverse friends on his joyous journey was an avid adventurer, his battery also included a home magnet.

He lived in the picturesque solid brick house his father Frank and mother Elva built, from the day he first drew breath.

And he drove the Weir patriarch’s 1967 brown Mercedes thousands of miles to and from the same home until the cool autumnal night he died there in his sleep.

The Merc may have been the vintage vehicle that drove him to distant concerts in his tertiary teaching and music appreciation but it was not his primary means of transport.

Replete with Richmond scarf and red cap, he rode his frequent flyer pushbike to his professional font of 27 years in Moorabbin and railway stations en route to concerts in the city and suburbs and football and cricket the MCG.

The campus changed name from Barton to Chisholm to Homesglen in Lawrie's tenure but not his two favourite modes of transport that also delivered him to tutorials at the Monash University campuses at Caulfield and Clayton.

FROM CANADA TO CRETE

"In my dreams your arms will find me/ they will hold me through the night/ then release me to my journey/ as another day grows light." - Anywhere On Earth You Are.

But Lawrie was on foot on a six-month overseas odyssey that soon stretched into an innings or two short of five years when he met his Canadian true love and soul mate Ellen Franklin on the island of Crete.

The year was 1976 and a chance meeting soon became a 31-year union and eventual marriage that was only punctuated by more travels.

And, of course, birth and growth of son Matthew, that persuaded Lawrie to postpone a Masters Degree, and daughter Avril who emulated her parents' spirit and zest for life.

Weir earned his Bachelor Of Commerce and Diploma Of Education on the campus of Monash after ascending from the cloistered quadrangles of Brighton Grammar where he mixed academia and sport with delicious dexterity.

Ellen, an interior designer, shared her husband's love of roots music - especially the works of Irish legend Van Morrison who provided their life time favourites lovingly preserved in a Van tower in their home.

So it was fitting Tupelo Honey and Have I Told You Lately That I Love You soothed the huge throng of mourners as belated May rain tumbled down on the parched parish roof of St Andrews Anglican Church in Brighton during the premature farewell of one of life's revered characters.

Three of Weir's closest friends Rod Opie, Rod Sanders and Andrew Mullett detailed his journey from childhood to departure.

Son Matthew and daughter Avril also delivered evocative eulogies.

Matthew was runner-up to the Dux of Brighton Grammar with an enter score of 99.8 and is now in his third year of a Melbourne University Engineering/Commerce.

Daughter Avril’s secondary schoolmates from the Firbank Choir performed The Lord Is My Shepherd.

And it was a George Strait song Love Without End, Amen that Matthew found in his father's vast record collection that he quoted in his eulogy.

SOURCE OF THE RHYME

"I've got so many miles to go/ and promises to keep/ right now all I wanna do/ is be anywhere on earth you are."

It was in the early eighties on frequent returns to Victoria from my daily toil as music feature and news writer and country and rock columnist on the now defunct Sydney Daily Mirror that I first flew into Lawrie's orbit.

It could have been early as the first Australian tours by Willie Nelson, The Amazing Rhythm Aces and Leon Russell in 1980-1 or as late as the down under debuts by Jerry Jeff Walker and Emmylou Harris.

But there was no mistaking the bearded Brighton boy, bearing well-worn vinyl record covers, standing patiently in line for autographs from revered artists.

Or even his regular presence, Richmond scarf covering a mandatory collared shirt, in the decidedly austere environs of the MCC members' stand where be-suited bullfrogs from the corporate corrals conducted business while others like Lawrie focussed on warriors duelling for possession, marking and kicking of footballs.

While peers discussed stocks, shares, society and politics the Brighton visitor, often shouldering a backpack, shared his music relics and the magazine stories and columns - country oases - in the media mainstream.

As the decade wore on I returned south and complimented paid journalistic work with honorary, volunteer guest spots on then commercial country music radio station 3UZ and hosting role on 3RRR-FM show High In The Saddle.

It was the latter that provoked a pro-active role by Lawrie who ascended from listener to subscriber and news and music source.

But it was not Lawrie's first community radio foray - he and old mate Mark Newstead joined forces on Mad Mark on RMIT radio in 1970-1.

Newstead hosted the 3ST show, broadcast to crevices of the campus on landline, and Lawrie pre-recorded his expert comments, critiques and music.

The duo's debut dovetailed with Lawrie's short stint as a cadet salesman at 3AK - the AM station that later challenged 3XY with its "no wrinklies" music format.

Newstead takes full blame for Lawrie's leviathan music collection that dated back to their 9 p m-dawn sessions transferring vinyl on to reel-to-reel tape.

That passion inspired Lawrie's strident support and subscribing to David Heard's acoustic and country shows on 3PBS-FM that dated back to the seventies.

David's tribute appears below.

LONG IN THE SADDLE AND NU COUNTRY

"I've always been a gypsy/ and the road calls me to roam/ but each day brings me closer/ to the place where we call home." - Anywhere On Earth You Are

By the time the nineties rolled around country music - a commercial radio staple in varying degrees in Australian since the fifties - had been marginalised.

Voracious supporters like Lawrie had to twirl the dial to the ABC for specialist shows on Saturday and the Sabbath or tape daytime shows like David Heard's on PBS-FM while at lectures.

So a diverse bunch of volunteers formed Nu Country FM in 1994 and set up a studio in a caretaker's cottage at outer northern suburb Bundoora in the sanguine shadows of a psychiatric hospital.

The aspirant temporary licence meant the station, which had to share frequencies and time allocation with motley competitors, was also restricted in wattage.

By the time the station moved to its new premises in a forlorn flat above a commercial garage at Northcote on Beer Can Hill the signal had improved to the extent it could be heard in the Weir family Mercedes and at home.

Lawrie joined commercial radio and TV DJS diverse as Sandy Roberts, Craig Willis, Mark Bishop and 3UZ trio Rod Stone, Doug Cummins and Troy Beard on air as the station's profile, reach and membership soared.

Countless musicians, singers, comedians and actors rubbed shoulders with students, teachers, truckies and other country presenters as the station's hi-tech studio enabled live concerts and internet broadcasting, replete with web cam.

It was a perfect font for Weir and fellow country archivist Barbara Dowling who won wide acclaim and listeners for their alternate Sabbath hosting of Long In The Saddle.

The four-hour plus shows that highlighted knowledge and passion of those two hosts in an album format often preceded Music After Midnight sessions by fellow teacher and heart transplantee Peter Cresp-Gerrard.

Lawrie's leviathan knowledge was matched by his laconic wit and an enthusiasm that leaped from the speakers in the country music starved capital city and far beyond.

The switchboard lit up whenever Lawrie primed the membership pump with CD and concert ticket offers - he took calls in between balancing song selections and trivia data on the decidedly cramped console.

It was not surprising that Weir, driving his Mercedes north across the Yarra when not on bike, train and tram, also had a fanatical rapport with Cresp-Gerrard who later died at 52 at 5 am on Monday July 9, 2001, on the eve of the station's final broadcast.

MUSIC AFTER MIDNIGHT

On the occasions when the smart archivist took public transport to the studio I would drive him home as Cresp-Gerrard ruled the airwaves.

Peter, whose cocktail of heart medication and mood modifiers was designed to give him quality of life and relief, mixed his theme shows with a hilarious bent that had Lawrie clutching my car door with an unrestrained laughter.

Wow, Lawrie would shout, as The Haileybury and Monash educated son of a thirties dux of Geelong College, embellished his messages to listeners with a droll dexterity.

But the time we reached his home, with lectures often a mere six or seven hours away, he was still repeating something the Captain Midnight DJ had imparted.

Lawrie's vigorous support of a massive membership drive, accelerated by Lubbock Or Leave It host and membership officer Peter O'Keefe, was vital.

Especially when the station burned down at 9.49 p m on June 26, 2000 - the first day of its 28th broadcast.

But, with the aid of benefit concerts headlined by singing Texan crime novelist Kinky Friedman and the cream of the local country scene, the station was resurrected in the National Bank building in Harley House at the Paris, Texas end of Collins St in the summer of 2001.

The benefactor was expatriate Californian property developer and landlord Bob Crain, whose selection of three dental surgeries and waiting rooms as studios before belated renovations, was manna from honky tonk heaven.

Crain, like Weir, became a hands-on supporter as he hosted breakfast shows under the name of Bayside Bob to distinguish him from fellow expatriate Californian DJ, maths teacher and latter day TV host Mid Pacific Bob Olson.

This was a far more accessible locale from Sabbath games at the MCG for the country loving suburban cyclist Lawrie with backpack full of CD and live concert treasures.

It was also where he extended his friendship with veteran actor Peter Hosking - host of the country movie show Reel Country - who was to give him his TV debut.

Weir joined forces with many other academics, politicians, community leaders and fans by writing letters of support to the ABA for Nu Country's licence bid - it was one of 23 broadcasters seeking the meagre four licences on offers.

FROM RADIO TO TV

"In my dreams your arms will find me/ they will hold me through the night/ right now all I wanna do/ is be anywhere on earth you are." - Anywhere On Earth You Are

But alas Nu Country, with collective membership of 5,500 over an eight-year journey, lost to more politically correct applicants representing broadcasters of the Gay, Koori, Christian and Youth persuasion.

This did little to deter enthusiasm of Lawrie, who had a cameo in the acclaimed ABC TV documentary Against All Odds that dramatised the station's struggle.

When Hosking, who also volunteered his voiceover and video production skills at the Victorian community TV station C 31, saw an opening for a country music TV show he knew he had a hard core of volunteers waiting in the wings.

Announcers Paul Hicks, Heather Rutherford, Red Smith, Moanna Kerr, Mid Pacific Bob and Lawrie were ready made for the show that roared into life in October, 2003.

Lawrie became the straight man on Guru segments filmed by Hosking and associate producer Carol Taylor and hosted his own episode poolside in East Burwood in the sixth series premiered by Lee Kernaghan's hosting role.

Hosking is preparing a collage of Lawrie's appearances for a special tribute when we return to C 31 in June.

Behind the scenes the amiable archivist was equally enthusiastic - he provided aural support for peers' reviews in the street press and web page.

The tape of a concert by popular singing Oklahoma born actress and TV show host Reba McEntire that he attended with wife Ellen, fuelled a Beat Magazine review.

Lawrie frequently joined Ellen up as a station member in our long battle for a licence and wrote letters of support.

And, when one of his heroes Danny O'Keefe performed at loyal Nu Country sponsor Basement Discs store and the Corner Hotel it was Lawrie's review that appeared on our TV page hosted by Anne Sydenham.

CLICK HERE for a reprise of Lawrie's review on November 22, 2005.

THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER

With the belated eighth series of Nu Country TV scheduled for June, 2007, there was again movement at the station for Lawrie to add his wit and wisdom.

For almost two decades he sourced international country music magazines, newspaper reviews and CD rarities for his Nu Country peers.

But sadly, like Peter Cresp-Gerrard, he passed away on the eve of the return.

It was after a nocturnal lecture at the Moorabbin campus of Homesglen TAFE and eight days later we bid adios to a true gentleman and music lover who never had a chance to reciprocate.

I fondly recalled accepted Lawrie's invitation to join him twice for lectures on radio in the nineties to his son Matthew's class on the junior campus of Brighton Grammar.

So it was fitting a decade later Lawrie modestly shared joyous tidings that Matthew, a Geelong supporter, was dux of Brighton Grammar with a 99 plus TER score.

A meeting with Lawrie at the Geelong-Melbourne game at the MCG on Sunday April 15 never eventuated when he set his compass due south of The Blazer Bar.

This was distressing when Lawrie later emailed me about the missed meeting - he had seconded my partner Carol's son Jordan for MCC membership and saved seats for us on occasions.

Lawrie also nominated many of Matthew's schoolmates for membership and ensured they had the best seats in the oft-crowded house.

Sadly, on this occasion I was in absentia, speaking to friends of David Heard.

Here is a written tribute by David who also provided his radio requiem on his Acid Country show on PBS just hours after attending the funeral.

VALE FROM DAVID HEARD

I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of my good friend, Lawrie Weir.

I had known Lawrie for over 20 years - since he first phoned to enquire about a song I had played on the radio.

He was a music enthusiast (to put it mildly), an avid collector (a "completist" he would say) and a strong supporter of community radio.

He had an on-air role at Nu Country FM and later at Nu Country TV.

Much of the music I've played on the radio over the years was provided by Lawrie. He had a certain knack for acquiring things.

I will miss Lawrie greatly. Not for his record collection, but for his warm friendship, his sense of humour and that hearty laugh.

My deepest sympathy to Ellen, Matthew and Avril

David Heard has hosted roots music shows on 3PBS-FM for more than 30 years - his Acid Country show is aired on Thursday from 3-5 p m on 106.7.

David also presented Cold Coffee Morning on Nu Country FM at Beer Can Hill.

VALE FROM ROD BROWNE

I first met Lawrie Weir on top of Old Beer Can Hill in Northcote where I traded in my hammer and nails in my alter ego as a carpenter in the musty studio that also doubled as my home away from home.

I made the trip in my pick-up from the ancient seaport of Williamstown while Lawrie cycled or drove in from across the bay in Brighton.

On this first meeting I had filled in on air for David Heard who made an even longer exodus from the Wimmera - but not in the Horsham fire truck that may have been a bonus a few years later.

Lawrie, frocked up in his trademark Richmond scarf, fossicked through his amazing music library as he prepared to ride shotgun on his Long In The Saddle album show.

Our paths were to pass many times in the same scenario in diverse locales - from Beer Can Hill to the Paris, Texas, end of Collins St.

His love and knowledge of country music was immense and I have fond memories of the many shows he hosted.

I was always amazed at how he managed to balance his footy backpack - laden down with soup containers and cooking utensils - and another bag equally full to brim with CDS, books and magazines.

Lawrie was also a regular patron of concerts and shows by renowned international and Australian country artists.

At first I was bemused by Lawrie's sartorial splendour - an extra coat or scarf was an accessory - more for cushioning and concealment of his trusty tape recorder - than the inclement weather inside venues.

One of my favourite memories of Lawrie was his pride in his profession as a lecturer - not just for many academic successes but his nurturing of St Kilda champion Robert Harvey.

Lawrie confided that Robert, now the oldest AFL player, was one of his youngest and keenest students.

And, like on the footy field, he led by example - sitting in the front row at lectures.

Lawrie was chuffed at this and couldn't pluck up the courage to discuss football with him for several months.

But when Lawrie's son Matthew, then a junior school student, celebrated a birthday Lawrie politely requested autographed memorabilia and was rewarded by the dual Brownlow Medallist.

After our fire sale at Beer Can Hill necessitated a move to Harley House at the Paris, Texas, end of Collins St, our paths didn't cross as often.

But, after hosting the Sunday Morning Coming Down shift, I was always uplifted when Lawrie climbed long into the saddle for the evening show with David Dawson.

It was a staple of my Sabbath diet for Lawrie's knowledge, wit and supreme taste in honky tonk heroes and heroines.

And, of course, the perfect sibling for Barbara Dowling - a St Kilda supporter and alternate Sunday host.

Dawson was indeed lucky to have found two such smart archivists - Lawrie and the station may have passed but their spirit burns bright and deep in my memory bank.

My condolences go out to Ellen, Matthew and Avril.

ROD BROWNE was host of Neon Moon and Supper Six Pack and has now been Vice President of Nu Country Music for almost a decade.

Rod now presents Action Country on Stereo 97.4 FM daily from 3-6 p m and Working Without A Net on WYN-FM - 88.9 - on Thursday from 6-8 p m.

VALE FROM BARBARA DOWLING

For me, it was a privilege to have known, and been a colleague of, Lawrie Weir.

Lawrie and I alternated each Sunday night on Long in the Saddle.

Lawrie approached everything in life with dedication and determination, was relentless in the pursuit of his chosen musical genre and his research into the subject was impeccable.

Thank you Lawrie for your support, encouragement and in depth discussions about our music.

My thoughts go out to Ellen, Matthew and Avril.

Country archivist Barbara Dowling and her late mother Mary were pro-active supporters of country music through specialist retailing and the Country Music Guild.

Barbara has written liner notes for albums and co-hosted Long In The Saddle from Nu Country's birth at Bundoora in 1994.

VALE FROM BARBARA O'NEILL

A very funny, intelligent and generous man. Lawrie shared a love of music with us all. That is why he became involved with the radio station from the early days and was always at the gigs. I would look for the red baseball cap and know that all was right with the world because Lawrie was there and we were all going to have a great night of music that we could all discuss endlessly afterwards.

After the disappointment of not gaining a radio licence it was great to see that Lawrie was still involved and I looked forward to seeing him every now and then on Nu Country TV.

During what was a very trying time for me in my last two years of living in Melbourne I ran into Lawrie at Monash where we both worked and we talked about missing the radio station, the friends we had made there and of course music.

After this every few weeks I would get a parcel in the internal mail that contained some music that Lawrie knew I would love this would brighten up my day, and I could escape into the music.

It was a pleasure to have known you Lawrie - we will miss you.

Barbara O'Neill is a former President of 3WAY-FM in Warrnambool and long time music host and treasurer of Nu Country FM and High In The Saddle guest presenter.

VALE FROM COLIN FIELDING

As I'm putting pen to paper, I'm still in disbelief saddened by the sudden death of my good mate, Lawrie Weir.

No more 2 hour weekly conversations on our favorite topic, Music !!

I first meet Lawrie in the foyer of the studios of 3PBS- FM while waiting to catch up with what turned out to be a mutual friend, unbeknown to us at the time in David Heard.

Lawrie and myself formed an immediate friendship and talked at length about of course music, a passion for us both and something we had continued to do right up to the week before his sudden passing.

Lawrie would tune in each week to my program and would ring to let me know what artist, songs etc he enjoyed and would go on to tell me others that he had that he was sure I would enjoy. Lawrie liked nothing better than to share the music.

A couple of fond memories of my good mate were one - back in 2003 when we went along to the Music and Blues Festival in Melbourne.

We were standing in a crowd of around 8,000 people and just as Bonnie Raitt was about to go on stage, Lawrie pulled out this portable tape player, the likes of which I hadn't seen for years, plugs in a microphone and pleads with all around to be quiet as he wants to record the show.

The end result was a terrible recording that didn't matter to Lawrie as he still had something to remind him of one of his all time faves - live.

With the offer of putting it onto a disc for himself, bought the response "Hang On, You Mean, You're Telling Me, You Can, Oh It's All Beyond Me", all in the one sentence.

They are words that will stay with me forever.

Another time is when Lawrie rang to get my thoughts on the Gillian Welch/David Rawlings show and when I enquired, due to the fact I didn't see him there, why he didn't go he replied "Oh I was there you just wouldn't have seen me because I brought a stool and was in front of the stage"

The fact that everyone around him would have been standing would not have bothered Lawrie.

I will miss Lawrie greatly. I will miss his great friendship, humour, laugh, the long phone calls and the sharing of music.

My deepest sympathy to Ellen, Matthew and Avril

I know if there is a radio in heaven, then Lawrie will be tuning in.

See ya down the road buddy.

COLIN FIELDING is - host of Folk And Roots - Sunday 5-6 p m on Inner-FM - 96.5

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