Warren Fahey

2026, and the world’s going crazy…but on this site, you will discover hundreds of songs, stories, rare photographs, videos, concert recordings and some of my early radio series. There are also many digitised songs from my early seventies and onward oral history collecting expeditions. A treasure chest of Australian folklore and curious history.

The site documents many aspects of the Australian story – the good, the bad and (unfortunately) the ugly. It addresses the reality of our history, including the brutality of the penal colony, the frontier wars, systemic racism and the sometimes bewildering decisions of big business and government. At the same time, there are many stories of aspiration, determination and brave leadership.

As a cultural historian, I remind all Australians of the debt of gratitude we owe the people who pioneered this great country. It doesn’t matter if your family came on the First Fleet or a leaky boat last week – this new country was built on the spirit of the outback and, later, the determination of city slickers.

As a whitefella, I also acknowledge the traditional owners of my land. I pay my respects to Gadigal elders, past and present. Australian settlement owes an immense debt to the Aboriginal people who guided us through social and physical uncharted territory. 

One major feature of the revamped site is the ‘Outback Stories’ series of twelve 20-minute documentary videos. I hope viewers enjoy them – they are a very special celebration of our pioneering spirit. There’s also a twelve-part series on ‘Sydney Stories’ plus loads of other videos.

When I am not digging into Australian history, writing books, producing records or performing, I earn my keep by giving talks (where I flog books) – I have a schedule of over fifty different talks. You can see these talks under the ‘Booking’ section of the site. I enjoy speaking to groups, conferences, etc., and, of course, where appropriate, usually throw in songs, tunes, recitations, and a few bush yarns. I also enjoy the challenge of creating illustrated talks for specific projects for museums, libraries, clubs, galleries, colleges, etc. My sights are always set on the next project because there are so many stories to be told.         

                  ANNOUNCEMENT: 2026 marks my 80th year on this planet. I kicked off the year with the Cobargo Folk Festival, a tour of outback NSW with Martyn Wyndham-Read, concerts for the Adelaide Fringe with Martyn W-R and Eric Bogle, a concert at the National Library (video available on site under Australian Folk Music in the Collection), delivering a paper at the National Folklore Conference, performances at the National Folk Festival, and a performance for Vivid at the State Library of NSW. 

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