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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 46 | August 2000


Where there’s ‘Smoky’ there’s life and laughter

The Oral History Section of the National Library recently added to its treasure trove of recorded Australian heritage when Rob Willis interviewed Smoky and Dot Dawson at the Library on 20 April. Smoky and Dot spent most of the day at the Library where Smoky’s charisma and vitality for life were infectious, spreading to all those who met him (and there were many), including the Director-General, Jan Fullerton. Sponsored by the Library as a major billing at this year’s National Folk Festival, Smoky was a huge success at both the Library and the festival.

Smoky, with his winning smile and natural talent for entertaining, has been doing just that—entertaining—for most of his life. Herbert Henry Dawson was born in Collingwood, Victoria in 1913 and married Florence (Dot) Cheers in 1944. Smoky’s young existence was marred by sadness when both his mother and brother died early in his life. Smoky spent three years in an orphanage and he remembers, even at that early stage, that music soothed him and at the age of eight or nine he was making up ditties.

Smoky’s career now spans over seven decades and there is little doubt that he is an extraordinary entertainer. He is a singer, songwriter, whip cracker, sharpshooter, knife and double-headed axe thrower and was once a trick horse rider, performing for many years with his beloved horse Flash, who died in 1982. Smoky has had a notable career in radio beginning in the 1950s with his own show called ‘The Smoky Dawson Radio Show’. Dot also had her own independent career in radio, entertaining and educating children all over Australia in her ‘Aunty June’ days and initiating her popular show, ‘My Friend the Policeman’. Early in her career Dot taught elocution to budding young radio and stage hopefuls and even now, at the age of 94, still has a wonderfully clear, natural speaking voice. Smoky and Dot have a great affection and respect for each other, still sharing and still laughing wherever they go together.

Smoky’s interview for the Library is filled with entertaining anecdotes. For instance, while working in America in the 1950s Smoky, with Dot by his side, travelled to Daisy Hill in ‘Hillbilly Country’ near Chattanooga. He recalls the rough track as his driver, Chuck, manoeuvred his way through the mountains and the smell of the stills brewing ‘moonshine’. Smoky entertained the mountain people (all in their blue jeans) with his singing, yodeling and whip cracking but his knife throwing was the most enthralling. His human target, Chuck, was pinned under the armpit by his corduroy jacket when Smoky had to throw his knife (the length of a bayonet) with only the light of a lantern to see by. Smoky was paid (by collection) and was also given two gallons of moonshine for his captivating performance. The highway patrol was waiting for Smoky, Dot and Chuck to exit from the hills with the illegal moonshine (as they, themselves, would not venture into such a place!). Fortunately for the adventurers, they were never caught and, it seems, much fun and laughter was had by all!

Smoky and Dot Dawson

Smoky is passionate about his love of music and life and says that ‘everything has music if you stop and listen to it’ and that ‘music brings people together; it is a language on its own.’ Smoky’s repertoire of songs, ditties and sound effects are almost unlimited. During his interview Smoky explained that, ‘you can live the story with sound effects.’ Then, interspersed with laughter, Smoky gave his rendition of a magpie, kookaburra, rooster, turkey, pig, cow, an impatient horse, a posse with bloodhounds (with the bandit being shot), a pack of dogs fighting and next door’s dog howling in the middle of the night.

Wherever he goes—the National Library, Government House or to children’s hospitals on his many charity visits—he is the same person, entertaining and spreading his laughter and enthusiasm for life. In his autobiography, Smoky Dawson, A Life (Allen & Unwin, 1985) Smoky explains: ‘Because I am fiercely proud of Australia and its people, I like to think of myself as an old-fashioned troubador trying to preserve a feeling for the Australian past in word pictures and song.’ Smoky has now brought a part of his ‘word pictures’ and memories to life as a recorded oral history, preserved for posterity at the National Library.
Nancy Phillips

Smoky and Dot Dawson during their Oral History interview. Photograph: Damian McDonald

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