Susanna Freymark
A family that plays together stays together – that is the Haystack Mountain Hermits.
Kerrie Gambley grew up at Old Bonalbo in the shadow of Haystack Mountain.
That mountain would become a namesake for Kerrie, her husband Dave and their four children Ella, Lachlan, Jackson and Marcus when the family band the Haystack Mountain Hermits was formed.
The band performed for the Old Bonalbo Hall Centenary and at Tunglebung Hall last year. The halls were packed with people keen to see the lively performances.
The band, based at Tambourine Mountain, awaits word on this year’s International Songwriting Competition. The Hermits have been shortlisted for the song One Last Ride.
The song honours the Australian Light Horse regiment from World War I when men and their horses went overseas to fight. More than 136 000 horses were shipped overseas – only one returned. One Last Ride tells this poignant story.
There will be 74 winners in the comp in various categories. Tones & I was a previous winner.
“This is our first ever entry in the competition so we’re absolutely thrilled to make the semifinals. We are in the top 15% of thousands of entries,” Kerrie said.
Finalist songs are sent to celebrity judges who will select the winners.
Kerrie hopes the judges like the song.
“I think the song resonates very strongly with people everywhere, even though it is a truly Australian story.
“We all know what it feels like to lose a pet, and the horses were so much more to the troopers.
“The men were absolutely devastated to have to leave their horses behind after the war ended.
“I wanted to capture that emotion in the song and we’ve made people all over Australia cry so I guess the song does that.”
Here are photos from the band’s performance at Tunglebung Hall.
