I live in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia and have done so for thirty years. From childhood I have maintained a deep interest in, and love of, Australian history. I have written books and articles, and developed school learning materials on Australian themes.

My interest in Australia has also been expressed in many of the songs I have written. My song writing has been combined with many and varied performing opportunities.

I have performed at restaurants, concerts and festivals and my music has been played on ABC radio. Each year I continue to enjoy the opportunities of travelling to Australian places and listening to, and documenting, the stories of the people who live there.

This website contains a growing collection of articles, songs, reviews etc that I have written over the years. You can access them via the links above. Please feel free to email me as I value your comments.

 

regards.
Jim

LATEST NEWS:

November 12 2008
IN MULGA LAND WITH KING TOMMY AND POLLY FLOOD - new podcast now online

This episode looks at the lives of two Aboriginal people, King Tommy and Polly Flood. They lived in the northern New South Wales town of Angledool . Their lives were uniquely documented by local poet and writer Jim Harper. Harper, a friend of both, knew only too well how the spread of European settlement impacted on their lives. Two original songs are included in the podcast.

 

 

November 8 2008

Revisiting the Coonabarabran and Binnaway Region
This has been added to the blog.
Last week I travelled to Coonabarabran and Binnaway in central New South Wales. It was a spur of the moment decision.
The region holds countless memories.
It was time to return.

 

 

November 2 2008

The Turon Valley has been added to the photo galleries section.

 

October 8 2008

The Rollercoaster Ride- a poem added to my blog, Along the Track

 

September 28 2008

bio updated

 

September 27 2008

TWO WOMEN TRAVELLERS - New podcast now online

The image of the swaggie, that itinerant soul who walked the roads and tracks of the land in search of work, features prominently in Australia’s stories, songs and poetry. But the swaggies we mainly read and sing about are men. In this episode I introduce you to Charcoal Annie and Syrian Mary, two women who experienced the life of the swaggie. Although very little is known about them, I share the information I have gathered over the years. I have also written a song about each of these extraordinary ladies and these are included in the podcast.