Warrandyte Musician - Kevin O'Mara By Grade 2L

Kevin O'Mara began his musical career in 1978, while studying at Toorak Teachers College. It was here he met up with the original four members of the "Parradiddle Bush Band", Greg Rugh, Rob Fairburn and Mark Leehy. It was from these humble beginnings  Victoria's leading bush dance band developed. 

They played in folk clubs and pubs until they recorded their first album "Wait Till the Word Gets Around" in late 1978.

Initially their main venue was the Heidelberg Town Hall where they played at monthly bush dances. They became an icon of their home town Warrandyte where they became a set part of the Warrandyte Festival every year until their  break up in 1998.  

Kevin continued with some of the members playing at private functions. He also instigated a trip to Japan to promote Victoria for the Victorian Tourist Commission to encourage more Japanese visitors to our garden state. They strummed and plucked their special brand of Aussie traditional music all over Japan. 

Kevin then began "Bushfire Press" with Mark Leehy which became a leading Australian publishing house servicing Arts Education in primary and post primary schools. The two of them have written many musicals which schools throughout Australian and internationally have put on.

Kevin came to visit our class twice. In his band he plays the guitar.

by Sam.

Kevin O'Mara, a famous band member, visited A.C.P.S.

by Shivaune.

 
He is cool and a famous musician.

by Coen.

His music is fun to listen to and dance to.

by Tayla.

Drawing by Emily.
Kevin sang "Wild Thing" with his guitar.

by Dylan.

We all like to sing many songs with Kevin.

by Jayde.

 
Kevin is good on the guitar and he is a musician.

by Andrew.

He has female singers in his bush band.

by Sarah.

Drawing by Claudia.

 

 
Kevin was fun when he played his guitar. I learned to dance because of him.

by Jan.

When Kevin came we did a lot of singing and a bit of dancing.

by Luka.

 
 

 

Kevin has written lots of bush songs. His most famous is "Home among the Gum Trees."

by Annushia.

Kevin writes music for other people to use in musicals.

by Nicholas.

Drawing by Madeleine.

 

 
Mr. O'Mara was a good teacher. Some of the time he was here he was funny.

by Stephen.

He came to visit us with his thongs, t-shirt and shorts.

by Chris.

 
 

 

Kevin wrote the play that our school put on called "Kids in Space." 

Drawing by Tom.

 

 
 

Kevin is very clever. He can play lots of different instruments like the guitar, spoons, banjo and thongs.

Drawing by Annushia.

 

 
Kevin has three teenage children who all play musical instruments as well.

We hope Kevin will keep on writing songs and musicals for many years to come.

by Shannon.