Country music legend Chad Morgan’s 70-year career has been celebrated with the opening of The Chad Room in Childers, his self-proclaimed home town.
Situated at the Books@Childers store at 94 Churchill Street, the room is free to visit and features a range of artwork and photography celebrating the singer’s life and career.
The tribute includes a privately commissioned statue of the singer as well as a mural created with grant funding from Bundaberg Regional Council through the Regional Arts Development Fund.
Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn said Council was happy to help support the initiative.
“It’s great to be here today for the opening of The Chad Room in Childers and it’s so great to have Chad Morgan right here with us and to sing a song,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“It’s just been a wonderful morning and it’s a great thing to be able to celebrate local people and local artists who have done well in the world.”
The Chad Room Coordinator Wayne Heidrich said the idea for the space had come about after he was approached to assist with displaying a statue created in honour of the country music star.
“We placed the statue here, then it gave us the idea that maybe we should sort of populate the room with a few photos and a few other things,” Wayne said.
“All those things came to pass and we got the mural done.
“Thanks very much to Council for our $2000 grant through the Regional Arts Development Fund, it was very welcome.
“Most of what you see in the room here has been contributed by private enterprise, so people have dipped into their own pockets to put this together, simply because Chad is a legend.”
A very strong connection
Now retired at the age of 91, Chad’s musical career has seen him tour the country for more than seven decades.
However the award-winning musician said he had always felt the most at home in Childers.
“It’s a very strong connection,” Chad said.
“I spent more time in Childers in my younger days than I did anywhere else.
“To me, this is my home town and I always feel like I’m coming home when I come here.
“There’s just something about Childers.
“When I drive into town, I just get this nice feeling [that] comes over me.”
Chad said he felt overwhelmed by the tribute and the people who created it.
“Well it has just blown me away,” he said.
“I did not realise there were so many people so dedicated out there and what they’ve done is not only a monument to me but a monument to them.”
The Chad Room is located at Books@Childers at 94 Churchill Street in Childers and is free to visit during opening hours, Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 4.30 pm.
