Through dizzying highs and deep lows, 'Normie' has overcome break-ups, breakdowns and unexpected blows to become the beloved national treasure we know today.entertainers - vietnam war, normie rowe, entertainers - australia - biography

A black and white photograph of Townsville, Qld, 18/08/1968, Rock and Roll stars Little Patty and Col Joye entertain in the lounge room of a private home. Members of D Company 6 RAR, who had missed the oroginal concert in Vietnam on the 18/08/1966 being otherwise engaged in the battle at Long Tan. Standing left to right Mrs Doyle, Robin Rencher, Phil Dixon. sitting left to right Ian Campbell and Peter Doyle.photograph, townsville, battle of long tan, little patti, col joy, d coy, 6 rar, robin rencher, phil dixon, ian campbell, peter doyle, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph of Townsville, QLD, 18/08/1968, Rock and Roll stars Little Pattie and Col Joye entertain in the lounge room of a private home. Members of D Company 6 RAR, who had missed the original concert in Vietnan on the 18/08/1966, being otherwise engaged in the Battle of Long Tan and missed the original concert. Standing left to right Robin Rencher, Phil Dixon, sitting left to right Ian Campbell, Peter Doyle and a backup singer.photograph, townsville, d company, 6 rar, battle of long tan, little patti, col joy, robin rencher, phil dixon, ian campbell, peter doyle, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph of Townsville, QLD, 18/08/1968, Rock and Roll Stars Little Pattie and Col Joye entertain in the lounge room of a private home.Members of from D Company 6 RAR, who had missed the original concert in Vietnam on the 18/08/1966 being otherwise engaged inthe Battle of Long Tan. Standing left to right Ross MAudio, CDonald, Robin Rencher, Phil Dixon, sitting left to right Ian Campbell and Peter Doyle.photograph, townsville, little patti, col joy, battle of long tan, ross maudio, cdonald, robin rencher, phil dixon, ian campbell, peter doyle, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph Townsville. Qld. of 18/08/1968, Rock and Roll stars Little Pattie and Col Joye entertain in the lounge room of a private home. Members of D Company, 6 RAR who had missed the original concert in Vietnam on the 18/08/1966 being otherwide engaged in the Battle of Long Tan. Standing left to right Robin Rencher, Phil Dixon. Sitting left to right Ian Campbell and Peter Doyle.photograph, townsville, battle of long tan, d company, 6 rar, little patti, col joy, robin rencher, phil dixon, ian campbell, peter doyle, gibbons collection catalogue

A black and white photograph of 1st Australian Task Force Commander, Brig C.M "Sandy" Pearson, accompanied by the New Zealand Padre Varcoe of 4 RAR/NZ (ANZAC) Battalion, is given the traditional Maori Challenge before being allowed to enter the Battalion's area attend the farewell concert organized by the Officers and other ranks within the Battalion.photograph, 1st australian task force, brig sandy pearson, padre vercoe (new zealand), 4 rar nz, new zealand maori, gibbons collection catalogue

Coloured poster in a black frame with a glass front ith a wooden back. Red, blue and yellow print. Army helicopter hovering over palm trees. There is a light shining onto soldiers. Map of Australia with Sydney Harbour Bridge and an Army Medal. In large print are the words "Welcome Home Conert" Date of concert and parade were from the 2nd - 4th October 1987List of activities: Unit Smokos, Parade through Sydney, Unit reunion, Free concert in Sydney Domain, 11am startposter, welcome home parade

Unframed photo of glenys Shearman and WO2 George Logan performing a duet when the Australian Concert Party visited Vietnam in 1970AWM WAR/70/0274/VNglenys shearman, australian concert party

Col Joy and Little Patti give an impromptu night concert in the home of one of the D Company, 6 battalion RAR soldiers who had fought at Long Tan in 1966. When the battle began Col Joy and Little Patti had been on stage performing at Nuidat's Luscombe BowlDr Denis Gibbons AM Collectionphotograph, col joy, little patti, d company, 6 rar, nui dat, luscombe bowl

Framed Mounted Tee shirts commemorating Vietnam Veterans Entertainers concert in Townsville on 22nd august 1997/ Tee Shirts are augographed by the entertainers that took part.Plaque with list of Entertainers. Plaque with donor detailsmounted tee shirts, fspb townsville, vietnam entertainers

Framed poster advertising Vietnam Veterans concert at the Domain on 4th October 1987vietnam veterans concert, col joy, normie rowe, framed poster

Framed programme of the South Australain Concert Party for Vietnam. Party was sponsored by the Australian Forces Overseas Fund and performed in Adelaide to raise funds to send artists to the VietnamDonated by R Lloydsouth australian concert party, australian forces overseas fund, framed poster

Framed photo of the very popular Lorrae Desmond who did five concert tours to Vietnam. She also visited the injured and spent time chatting with soldiersDr. Denis Gibbons AM Collectionframed photo, lorrae desmond, denis gibbons

Framed photo of Concert Party LTOR. Unknown guide Doug owen (compere), Garth thompson, Terry Walker, Peter Robinson and John Farrar of the Stranger Band, Patti McGrath (now Newton) and Denise "Ding Dong" DrysdaleNVVM Collectionframed photo, doug owen, patti mcgrath, the strangers, denise drysdale

Framed photo of Concert Froup. L to R Beverley Cook, Normie Rowe, Lenore Somerset, Phil Lanham, Marcie Jones, Danny O'MearaDonated by Dan O'Mearaframed photo, nui dat, beverley cook, normie rowe, lenore somerset, phil langham, marcie jones, danny o'meara

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Trooper Normie Rowe in the field entertains the 4th Battalion, RAR/NZ (ANZAC) as a special guest artist at their owned produced farewell concert. All acts and musicians were from 4 RAR/NZ and its close support elements.photograph, 4rar nz, normie rowe, entertainer, gibbons collection catalogue, trooper normie rowe, 4th nz battalion, 4 rar/nz (anzac), denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph taken in Townsville, Queensland, 18/08/1968. Rock and Roll stars Little Pattie and Col Joye entertain in the lounge of a private home. Members of D Coy 6 RAR who missed the original concert in Vietnam on the 18/08/1966 being otherwise engaged in the Battle of Long Tan. Standing left to right Ross MAudio, C Donald, Robin Rencher, Peter Doyle, Phil Dixon. Sitting left to right Ian Campbell and Dave Sabben.photograph, entertainer, col joy, d coy, 6 rar, battle of long tan, gibbons collection catalogue, ross maudio, robin rencher, peter doyle, phil dixon, ian campbell, dave sabben, little pattie, c donald, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Musicians of the official Sep-Oct 67 Melbourne Concert Party, Denise 'Ding Dong" Drysdale and the band look skyward as a salvo of artillery shells pass close overhead. Patty McGrath sings blissfully on. The Artillery Diggers used to welcome all concert parties this way. photograph, melbourne concert party, denise drysdale, patti mcgrath, digger, artillery, 1st atf base, nui dat, luscombe bowl, gibbons collection catalogue, entertainers, musicians, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A coloured photograph of a member of the Feb-Mar 70 South Australian Concert Party Beverly Braidwood entertains the Diggers on a hastily organised stage at the1st Australian Logistics Base, Vung Tau.photograph, south australian concert party, beverly braidwood, entertainers, 1st australian logistic support base, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue, diggers, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Dinah Lee and Digger Friend from the audience have the Diggers swinging with a song and dance act at the ABC Dance Band Concert Party at the 1st ATF Base, Nui Datdinah lee, abc dance band concert party, photograph, 1st atf base, entertainment, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, diggers, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of musicians with the Sep-Oct 67 Official Melbourne Concert Party appreciate Denise 'Ding Dong" Drysdale's Alice in Wonderlad act. This show was one of the first at 1st ATF Nui Dat Luscombe Bowl. photograph, denise drysdale, 1st atf base, nui dat, entertainers, gibbons collection catalogue, luscombe bowl, melbourne concert party, musicians, sep-oct 67 official melbourne concert party, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Maj Bob Mew, US Army Air Ops liasion officer 1st ATF Nui Dat enjoys a close encounter with Dinah Lee and Lorrae Desmond during a lunch break by the March 1967 ABC Dance Band Concert Party photograph, 1st atf base, nui dat, lorrae desmond, dinah lee, abc dance band concert party, maj bob mew, entertainment, gibbons collection catalogue, us army air ops liasion officer, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of The Official August 1969 Johnny O'Keefe Concert Party visits the 1st Australian Field Hospital Vung Tau to perfom for sick and wounded diggers. photograph, johnny o'keefe, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue, 1969 official august johnny o'keefe concert party, entertainment, wounded serviceman, diggers, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A coloured photograoh of Lead Act with the ABC Dance Band Concert Party Lorrae Desmond opens with 'I Wish You Love' at 1st ATF Nui Dat in March 1967 photograph, lorrae desmond, abc dance band concert party, 1st atf base, nui dat, entertainment, gibbons collection catalogue, diggers, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph. By the end of 1969 the Luscombe Bowl had been developed into a 1st class facility for concerty part's. Here Tina Angelique with the Aug 69 Official Port Jackson Concert Party perfomsluscombe bowl, entertainers, photograph, gibbons collection catalogue, tina angelique, port jackson concert party, aug 69 official port jackson concert party, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Singers Judy Condon, Maureen Elkner and Pauline Murphy of the Official April - May 1969 Melbourne Concert Party appear to be part of the audience as they entertain the diggers.photograph, entertainers, melbourne concert party, gibbons collection catalogue, judy condon, maureen elkner, pauline murphy, diggers, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Susan Wills of the Will Sister with the Official February-March 1970 South Australian Concert Party performs for the sick and wounded diggers at the 1st Australian Field Hospital Vung Tau. photograph, entertainers, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, susan wills, will sisters, south australian concert party, gibbons collection catalogue, diggers, wounded servicemen, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of musicians at the official Sep-Oct 67 Melbourne Concert Party: John Farrar, Douglas Owen, Peter Robinson, Grahame Thompson and Terrence Walker entertain the Diggers from the newly erected entertainment facility, the Luscombe Bowl at 1st ATF, Nui Dat.photograph, musicians, melbourne concert party, john farrar, douglas owen, peter robinson, grahame thompson, terrence walker, 1st atf base, nui dat, luscombe bowl, entertainers, gibbons collection catalogue, photographer, vietnam war, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of the Vung Tau Ferry Band on board HMAS Sydney, performing a jazz concert for members of 9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, as they sail towards Vung Tau, South Vietnam to commence their tour of war service with the Australian Force.photograph, vung tau ferry band, hmas sydney, entertainment, 9th battalion, royal australian regiment, vung tau, australian force vietnam, gibbons collection catalogue, photographer, vietnam war, denis gibbons, jazz concert

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph - Townsville, Queensland, 18/08/1968, Rock and Roll stars Little Pattie and Col Joye entertain in the lounge room of a private home, members of Delta Company 6 RAR who had missed the oroginal concert on the 18/08/1966, being otherwise engaged in the Battle of Long Tan Standing left to right Robin Rencher, Peter Doyle, Phil Dixon, Sitting left to right Dave Sabben, Ian Campbellphotograph, delta coy, 6 rar, townsville, robin rencher, peter doyle, phil dixon, dave sabben, ian campbell, gibbons collection catalogue, little pattie, col joye, battle of long tan, denis gibbons