Australian of the Year 2008

Lee Kernaghan

Country music legend


2008 Australian of the Year Lee Kernaghan Lee Kernaghan is a towering figure in Australian country music and a fine ambassador for his craft. He gave his first public performance at the age of five, formed his first band when he was twelve, and released his first commercial single in 1983. His tally of Golden Guitar awards at the Australian Country Music Awards is 24, second only to the legendary Slim Dusty. Lee has a passion for his music and his country and brings these together in his support for country communities across Australia. To many people he represents the very essence of the spirit and values of contemporary rural Australia. In the past ten years his 'Pass the Hat Around' tours have raised more than a million dollars for communities in need and his participation in the 'Spirit of the Bush' tours raises spirits as well as money for farming families doing it tough in the drought.

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