Obituary

Chris Kempster
24th September 1933 – 24th January 2004

by Brenda Kellaway

Chris Kempster was a major contributor to social
justice and the Australian cultural heritage.
Through his music, which was Chris's passion,
he reflected the struggles of the working class 
particularly via the promotion of world peace,
social justice, a sustainable environment and
the preservation of the Australian working
class cultural heritage.

In 1948 Chris joined the Eureka Youth League and was
subsequently inspired to begin singing at a concert
held in the Workers Club. In 1949 at only 16 years
of age Chris wrote music to the Lawson poem
Reedy River which was part of the inspiration for, 
and became the title song of, the very first Australian Musical 
Reedy River. Reedy River is a musical about the 
Shearers Strike in 1891 and this musical ran in both Melbourne 
and Sydney for a couple of years. Reedy River is still 
performed occasionally across Australia. Chris also had a role 
singing and playing music in the initial Sydney production.

Chris was a member of the first recorded bush band, the original 
Bushwhackers Band, in the 1950s along with other members 
including; Jack Barry, Brian Loughlan, Harry Kay, Alan Scott, 
John Meredith and Alex Hood. He was a foundation member of the 
Bush Music Club 50 years ago and helped to introduce Australian 
folk songs to the National Fitness Council in the 1960s.

Chris was always more than prepared to perform when invited at 
union, peace or other working-class protests or functions, the 
invitations being too numerous to mention here. He also performed 
for the then Socialist Party on several occasions including the 
Guardian Festival and according to his sister Enid he 
"never lost his belief in the integrity of working people and 
their struggle for a better life. He never lost his belief in 
socialism."

In 1989, Chris published a book of tunes that he and other people 
had written to Henry Lawson poems. Chris was well known for being 
"inclusive", as people stated at the commemoration of his life. 
He would always attempt to involve as many people as possible in 
performing and he particularly encouraged people in music that 
also had social/political meaning.

As well as being known for his support and encouragement of other 
performers in Australian folk music, he was also known for his 
role in the revival of folk music in general. Chris also helped 
to organise performers from overseas to visit Australia. He 
assisted Pete Seeger's Australian tour.

His active encouragement of other musicians was mentioned by 
almost every speaker at his commemoration including other well-
known performers such as Alex Hood, Keith McKenry and Bob Fagan.

Chris's encouragement and caring consideration of other people 
was always a feature of his personal life as well. Many of the 
people in attendance at his commemoration mentioned the fact that 
he was always a good listener, being genuinely interested in 
other people's problems even when at times he himself was 
experiencing difficulties in his own personal life.

Chris will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humour, his 
liveliness, his enthusiasm, his optimism, his sensitivity, his 
encouragement of others, his ability to involve others along with 
his musical talent. He'll be sorely missed by all who knew him 
well and by all who were touched by his life.