George Woolnough was Peter's grandfather, he really was a saddler and he doesn't quite have a whole library dedicated to him, but there is a wing of the Tenterfield Library called the 'George Woolnough Wing'.
George's son Dick (Peter's father) served in the second world war and upon returning to Australia became a violent alcoholic. He killed himself when Peter was still young. And, as mentioned in the song, reportedly George never got over losing him.
Peter has indeed been all around the world during his career. He was born Peter Richard Woolnough, and he "changed his last name" when he started performing with a band called the Allen Brothers. He was at one time married to Liza Minelli, who could certainly be described as having an interesting face.
As for the references in the chorus: a jackaroo is a very australian term for a male training to be a stockman and kangaroos, cockatoos, and emus are all distinctly Australian animals. I would assume that these refernces are supposed to portray George as a very Australian bloke.
George Wollnough does have a wing of a library named after him, but it was named after him in 2005. Peter Allen was dead for over 10 years by then. George Wollnough must have been dead too,he would have to be over 100 years old.
George Wollnough does have a wing of a library named after him, but it was named after him in 2005. Peter Allen was dead for over 10 years by then. George Wollnough must have been dead too,he would have to be over 100 years old.
Apparently George Wollnough was a legendary Austrailian. Do we think that Peter Allen actually knew his grandfather, or is this the fictional account of a man that Peter Allen only had a photograph of?
Apparently George Wollnough was a legendary Austrailian. Do we think that Peter Allen actually knew his grandfather, or is this the fictional account of a man that Peter Allen only had a photograph of?
Some extra info to add to Dawnfire's comment:
George Woolnough was Peter's grandfather, he really was a saddler and he doesn't quite have a whole library dedicated to him, but there is a wing of the Tenterfield Library called the 'George Woolnough Wing'.
George's son Dick (Peter's father) served in the second world war and upon returning to Australia became a violent alcoholic. He killed himself when Peter was still young. And, as mentioned in the song, reportedly George never got over losing him.
Peter has indeed been all around the world during his career. He was born Peter Richard Woolnough, and he "changed his last name" when he started performing with a band called the Allen Brothers. He was at one time married to Liza Minelli, who could certainly be described as having an interesting face.
As for the references in the chorus: a jackaroo is a very australian term for a male training to be a stockman and kangaroos, cockatoos, and emus are all distinctly Australian animals. I would assume that these refernces are supposed to portray George as a very Australian bloke.
George Wollnough does have a wing of a library named after him, but it was named after him in 2005. Peter Allen was dead for over 10 years by then. George Wollnough must have been dead too,he would have to be over 100 years old.
George Wollnough does have a wing of a library named after him, but it was named after him in 2005. Peter Allen was dead for over 10 years by then. George Wollnough must have been dead too,he would have to be over 100 years old.
Apparently George Wollnough was a legendary Austrailian. Do we think that Peter Allen actually knew his grandfather, or is this the fictional account of a man that Peter Allen only had a photograph of?
Apparently George Wollnough was a legendary Austrailian. Do we think that Peter Allen actually knew his grandfather, or is this the fictional account of a man that Peter Allen only had a photograph of?
when they are talking about buliding a library for him, i beleive he is singing about the knowledge that he held
when they are talking about buliding a library for him, i beleive he is singing about the knowledge that he held