Ed, Growing up in the city and then on the coast I have never had much exposure to country music till I moved to the Clarence Valley over 30 years ago. I had heard about our local stars Troy Cassar Daley and the McClymonts through the media but I never heard their music until I was invited to Troy’s performance on Friday night at the Saraton Theatre. I will be forever in debt to Troy’s mother Irene Daley for the privilege to hear and see not only her truly amazing beloved son but this unbelievable Grafton ambassador sing his heart and soul out to the 600 people sitting in the auditorium. In the shadow of the White Australia policy this young man shares his sometimes painful past with the rest of us through those words in his songs. All of them were so heartfelt it brought tears to my eyes a few times because of the way he reached out about his beautiful family, their journey and home. To then transform that same audience into a session with the big band was not only clever but a master stroke showcasing just how clever this iconic Australian artist is and from all places, South Grafton. Never let it be said that Grafton is an ill forgotten hole buried somewhere in Australia because I am telling you when you look at all our national and international performers in the arts, performing arts and sporting arena and then the colour purple we are very blessed to call the Clarence Valley home. Debrah Novak, Yamba