Shoalhaven City Council has committed to spending $5000 on two-time Golden Guitar winner Tom Curtain and his 90-minute Katherine Outback Experience.

Moved by the tragic passing of Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett who took her young life after being bullied, Tom put pen to paper and released the single ‘Speak Up’ with Sara Storer.

Shoalhaven City Councillors unanimously voted to allocate the funding towards the show, for the sake of local kids and teens who have been bullied, or have been exposed to bullying.

“It’s a great way to promote and highlight the plight of those who are being bullied, the terrible things that people, especially young people, go through,” Cr Bob Proudfoot said.

“This tour shines a light on it again. The more light we shine on bullying, the greater potential we have to stop it.

“Working in the education industry for the past 45 years I can tell you there’s a lot being done, there’s a lot more that needs to be done, it’s just awful.”

The show combines authentic horse-starting and working dog demonstrations, live music, horse riding trickery and humorous bush tales.

Performers provide a unique window into life on the land, showcasing and celebrating the Australian Outback.

In a report to council, staff said the proposed event is consistent with the Shoalhaven Vision 2023 in that it provides an attraction for the community to ‘play’. The event also addresses several objectives of the city’s Community Strategic Plan. As an outback show that celebrates life on the land, it is fitting for Shoalhaven’s rural landscape and cultural heritage. The event is family friendly and can be enjoyed by all age groups and levels of mobility. It is interactive as well as engaging, entertaining and educational.