Ted Egan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ted Egan
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Egan in 2004
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| 18th Administrator of the Northern Territory | |
| In office 31 October 2003 – 30 October 2007 |
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| Governor-General | Michael Jeffery |
| Preceded by | John Anictomatis |
| Succeeded by | Tom Pauling |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Edward Joseph Egan
6 July 1932 Coburg, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 4 December 2025 (aged 93) Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Domestic partner | Nerys Evans |
| Occupation | Musician |
Edward Joseph Egan (born 6 July 1932, died 4 December 2025) was a famous Australian folk singer and a public servant. He was also the Administrator of the Northern Territory, a special leader for that part of Australia, from 2003 to 2007. Ted Egan was known for his songs and stories about the Australian outback and its people.
Contents
Ted Egan: An Australian Storyteller and Leader
Early Life and Outback Adventures
Ted Egan was born in Coburg, Victoria, Australia. He went to school at Parade College. When he was 16, in 1949, he moved to the Northern Territory. He was looking for work and exciting new experiences.
In his early career, Ted worked for a government department that helped Aboriginal people. He had many interesting jobs, like working with cattle and even hunting crocodiles. He also worked as a patrol officer and looked after special areas. Later, he became a teacher in schools located in remote bush areas.
In 1965, Ted was the only teacher at Newcastle Waters Station. He became stuck there for six weeks because a creek flooded. No supplies could reach them, so Ted had to hunt for food like bush turkeys. He returned to the station in 2012 for a book launch about life in that area.
In the late 1960s, he worked for a new government office focused on Aboriginal affairs. He was one of the people who helped create NAIDOC Week. This is a special time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Later, he joined the first national group working for better relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.
Music and Songs of Australia
Ted Egan started recording music in 1969 with his song "Drinkers of the Northern Territory." He released many albums, mostly about life in the Australian outback, history, and Aboriginal people. His music told important stories about Australia.
The Gurindji Blues Story
In 1969, Ted Egan wrote the "Gurindji Blues" with Vincent Lingiari. This song was written during the Wave Hill walk-off. This was a protest where the Gurindji people walked off their land to fight for their rights. Ted was inspired to write the song after hearing a government minister say that if the Gurindji people wanted land, they should buy it like everyone else. This made Ted Egan feel strongly about the issue.
Ted Egan often performed at the National Folk Festival. In 2015, he received a special Lifetime Achievement Award there for his amazing work over many years.
Leading the Northern Territory
Ted Egan was chosen to be the Administrator of the Northern Territory by Australia's Governor-General, Michael Jeffery. He started this important role on 31 October 2003. He officially began his duties on 18 November.
In 2005, he was given an extra year in his role by Jim Lloyd, a government minister. His term was extended again, and he served until 30 October 2007.
Ted Egan on Television
In 1989, Ted Egan hosted and told stories for 6 episodes of a TV show called This Land Australia. The series was about famous Australian people and places. He also wrote and performed the show's theme song. Ted was also a co-host for a popular lifestyle TV show called The Great Outdoors.
His Legacy and Special Awards
Ted Egan received many special awards for his contributions to Australia.
Important Recognitions
In 1993, he received a special award called the Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This was for his help to Aboriginal people and for his songs and poems about Australia.
He later received an even higher award, Officer of the Order (AO), in 2004. This recognized his ongoing contributions to the community. It especially noted his role as the Administrator of the Northern Territory.
Ted Egan was also named one of "Australia's National Living Treasures" by the National Trust of Australia. This title is given to people who have made a huge difference to Australia.
In April 2015, Ted received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. He performed four songs at the event, including one about pioneering women in Australia. He also won several other music awards, including the Australian Roll of Renown in 1995 and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Country Music Awards of Australia in 2014.
Books by Ted Egan
Ted Egan also wrote many books, sharing his stories and experiences. Some of his books include:
- 1978 Outback Holiday
- 1979 A Drop of Rough Ted
- 1984 The Overlanders Songbook
- 1987 The Aboriginals Songbook
- 1989 Shearers Songbook
- 1991 Would I Lie to You? The Goanna Driver and Other Very True Stories
- 1993 The Paperboys War Ted Egan An Autobiography
- 1996 Justice All Their Own
- 1997 Sitdown Up North Ted Egan An Autobiography
- 1997 The Drover's Boy
- 2003 The Land Downunder
- 2008 Due Inheritance
- 2011 Kutju Australia: An Australian Translation of Advance Australia Fair
- 2014 The ANZACS 100 Years On: in Story and Song
- 2019 Outback Songman: My Life
Remembering Ted Egan
Ted Egan passed away on 4 December 2025, when he was 93 years old. The leader of the Northern Territory, Lia Finocchiaro, announced that he would have a special state funeral to honor his life and contributions to Australia.
