The Collectors
SEARCH
Friday 30 November 2007
watch entire episode 
download entire episode
Boyup Brook in Western Australia is home to Harvey Dickson and his Country Music Centre.
Even as a young boy, waiting for the school bus each day, Harvey fondly recalls winding up the family gramophone and listening to all types of music. He started buying and collecting records back then and hasn’t stopped since.
Like most children, Harvey enjoyed filling his walls with countless posters and signs, only he never stopped. In fact once he eventually ran out of available wall space he simply cut a hole in the wall and extended the room to create more space.
One of Harvey’s favourite pieces is an acoustic guitar. Although this genuine Tex Morton guitar cost him $240 he says he wouldn’t part with it for $5000. He even has an album with Tex playing the same guitar on the front cover.
In 1973 during a concert tour, Harvey was lucky enough to meet Johnny Cash at one of his shows. Today his music collection includes over 130 of the singer’s albums and he still hasn’t stopped searching for more.
It’s not just country music that Harvey collects, he loves all types of old memorabilia. His shed is filled from top to bottom with any old collectables he comes across or that people give him.
While old people love his collection because it takes them back to their young days, many young people don’t understand what all the fuss is about. But one day they’ll grow old too, and maybe then realise the importance of such history.
