As a log-term admirer and supporter of Mark Gregory’s work on Australian folksong, folklore and history of the union movement in Australia I have found his material invaluable. In recent times the digitising of regional newspapers and its accessibility on Trove had given Mark a huge amount of material to research. On notable result was what appears to be the original version of Click Go the Shears. Mark was in the practice of sending me his finds and a few have had tunes written or adapted for them in a burst of inspiration. We have few songs about trades so the Song of the Blacksmith was duly given a melody.
It was something of a shock in December last year to find that the blog that Mark used as the storehouse for his monumental work was not available! This monumental work lost perhaps forever!
With the help of Christine Wheeler contact was made with Mark’s partner, Maree Delofski, and the dire situation with Mark’s Altzeimer’s disease revealed. Then their daughter Morgan and her partner Angus chased it up and I noticed last weekend with great jubilation that the site was back up.
The site folkstream.com is well worth a visit but allow yourself time to delve into the depths of this amazing collection.
It behooves all of us with irreplaceable collections and instruments and indeed knowledge to consider how to future proof your heritage.
Nevertheless, Mark, I dips me lid.
Many thanks David for drawing attention to this irreplaceable work of passion and folklore. Mark’s other passion project was https://unionsong.com/, also saved from oblivion by the savvy actions of Morgan and Angus. Both are worth a quick look to bookmark the pages and a deep dive when you have time to uncover some incredible folk and labour history.