Jenny Oldland, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
As work towards the opening of Edithburgh’s Vietnam War Memorial Walk gathers pace so too does the interest for the project’s opening celebrations, with tickets for the Behind the Lines concert, headed by John Schumann and The Vagabond Crew, selling fast.
As an ex-Infantry man Roger Hogben happily admits to ‘ambushing’ the well-known singer/songwriter during a visit to the Australian War Memorial’s restaurant.
However, the chance encounter not only led John to commit to staging the concert at Edithburgh — it also connected Roger and fellow walk organiser John Edwards with contacts who helped bring parts of their plans to fruition.
While John’s iconic song I Was Only 19 provided an anthem for Australian Vietnam veterans post-war, he describes Behind the Lines as having evolved into a theatrical event.
“It was first put together as an ANZAC show for the Logan RSL featuring contemporary Australian songs about war done in our own style, and we’ve performed it four or five times nationally,” he said.
“Now, with images, narrative, music based on well-known poems by Henry Lawson, letters from home and news reports, it’s the story of Australians at war with some of our original songs, plus those from Cold Chisel, Mark Knoffler and of course Red Gum.”
The crew will also perform his latest release Fishing Net in the Rain, co-written with manager Ivan Turner and re-leased to coincide with Anzac Day.
“It’s my attempt to bolt a human story onto the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
“It tells the story of one of the many young sailors sent out by the Australian Government to ‘stop the boats’.
“While inspired by one young sailor, it’s really important to note that it’s about, and for, the thousands of current and former members of the ADF who have taken their lives after serving Australia, and also for their families.”
Ironically, he says, 42 years after he wrote “I Was Only 19” we are still talking about how to deal with the cost of war and military service.
“As far as the Memorial Walk goes, I’m glad to have played a small part in what is certainly a major achievement.
“We are good at parks, statues, halls, etcetera, dedicated to those who served our country and this is one more important addition to that store-house of memories.
“To be able to walk along the trail or just sit and reflect is lovely, not only as a local tourist asset but an important cultural and historical contribution to Yorke Peninsula,” he said.
Behind the Lines will be staged at the Edithburgh’s Light Church on Monday, August 18, with local band Cruizin’ Blues kicking off the concert at 2pm; tickets available at https://tinyurl. com/68cv795v.
This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 3 June 2025.
