The future of the Slim Dusty Centre as a cultural, community and tourism facility was secured in late 2021 when Kempsey Shire Council agreed to permanently take over ownership and management of the facility. The Centre had been developed and previously managed by the Slim Dusty Foundation. The decision came after the Council had undertaken a due diligence financial review and developed a business plan including options for future events and uses, while temporarily managing the facility.
Since that time the Council has been working hard to enhance the facilities of the Centre. In late 2021 as part of Round 1 of Minor Works and Equipment Projects through the NSW Government’s Creative Capital program it received funding to refurbish existing spaces to create:
· a fit-for-purpose Regional Art Gallery,
· a larger performance space and an additional fit-for-purpose performance/event space,
· an Art Lab to support professional development/art workshops/residencies and
· an upgrade of AV equipment
Councillor Liz Campbell noted at the time “In the Slim Dusty Centre, Council has been presented with a genuinely unique opportunity to acquire an important cultural and tourism facility for our community which also has a direct link to one of the valley’s favourite sons.” The Slim Dusty Centre and Museum exhibition feature objects and images from the Kirkpatrick family’s own extensive archive, as well as contributions from fans and friends all over the world.
Read more about the Slim Dusty Centre here.