Dobe Newton

Dobe Newton OAM (born 14 July 1948) is an Australian musician and member of folk and country music group the Bushwackers from 1973. He co-wrote the patriotic song "I Am Australian" in 1987 with Bruce Woodley. For his service to the performing arts as an entertainer and advocate he was appointed to the Order of Australia in 2013.

Career

Dobe Newton was born on 14 July 1948 in Sydney. During the 1960s he acquired a lagerphone and tin whistle after hearing Irish folk group the Dubliners. He joined Australian bush band the Bushwackers (initially the Original Bushwhackers and Bullockies Bush Band) in 1973 on vocals and lagerphone. As the group's longest-serving member he became their leader during the 1980s.

Outside of performing Newton ran workshops and seminars on music in both Western Australia and Victoria.

In 2013 he also became President of Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) replacing John Williamson. As of March 2022 he still held that position.

He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day, 2013 for "service to the performing arts as an entertainer and advocate." Along with fellow Bushwacker Roger Corbett, Newton was added to the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown in 2021.