About Jim

The son of British migrants, Jim was born in Sydney and attended Botany Public School, Sydney Boys' High School and Sydney Teachers' College.

He later gained two master's degrees in literature, from the University of New England and the University of Wales. He sang in a folk trio at Teachers' College and was a member of various bands while teaching in country towns, in between several periods living in the UK.

Jim toured his own show and toured with artists like Slim Dusty, Frank Ifield, Melinda Schneider, Beccy Cole, Greg Champion and Adam Brand.

He began his radio career on Inverell's 2NZ in the 1980s and then ABC's Australia All Over, and has been on air ever since – today he is heard across multiple states on commercial radio, including 2GB and 4BC.

Having 'invented' the country town of Weelabarabak in the 1980s, Jim began writing verse about the town and its characters. These poems were self-published as I'll Have Chips!, and a book of short stories, Memories of Weelabarabak, was published by ABC Books. His Aussie Verse column was a feature of Australasian Post until 2004.

Jim has written, compiled and edited thirty-five books, specialising in well-researched, factual (but always entertaining) Australian history – finding the truth behind the myths Aussies tend to believe about our past.

Credited with starting 'bush verse' morning shows at the Tamworth and Port Fairy festivals, Jim served on the board of the Country Music Association of Australia for 15 years and helped create the Academy of Country Music.