Waves of sadness have been felt throughout the area, the nation and around the world as news spreads of the passing of Jim Wesley of Laurieton, celebrated poet, songwriter and tireless worker for countless causes.
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From humble beginnings on a farm at Glen Innes, Jim spent most of his 83 years fighting for a better life for all of us through his words in song and verse. And his legacy will live on through those who have been lucky enough to have known and loved him. His message was a simple one; “Do your best, make others proud, always have faith and never expect anything in return.”
Jim has bee recognised by many of his piers including the late Dame Mary Gilmore and the highest country music awards in the country at Tamworth. He has written and been recorded by all of the major artists in Australian country music and many more overseas. Over the past 50 years or more Jim has quietly written for such artists as Slim Dusty, Buddy Williams, The Blanch Family, Rick and Thel Carey, Shorty Ranger and countless more. His songs have been recorded in several languages and, still today, there is a steady stream of artists being inspired to record his lyrics.
Jim was noted in The Australian Encyclopaedia of Country Music as one of a handful of wordsmiths who have been the backbone of country music in Australia. As a result, in 2004, Jim was inducted into the “Hands of Fame” at Tamworth and is nominated again this year for the song maker of the year award.
This Friday, Jim, the proudest of all Australians, will be honoured again in a humble way, as he wished. His wife, Dorothy, with his family and friends will gather at the Uniting Church in Laurieton to pay their last respects to a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who held his beliefs high, and made a difference!
