Australian rock legend Paulie Stewart will visit the Castlemaine Library this Thursday to speak about his memoir All the Rage.
Stewart is an Australian rock legend. He’s also a legend of the movement advocating for the freedom of East Timor and West Papua.
In this tell-all, highly entertaining memoir, we read how Stewart channelled his anger from the murder of his brother, one of the Balibo Five, into the infamous Painters & Dockers band that put the Australian music scene on notice.
From being formed with the intention of a one-time performance to pay a friend’s parking fine, it became a 40-year-long punk rock band with a cult following.
Stewart’s activism also formed the Dili Allstars, which highlighted the plight of the Timorese, and he tirelessly supports Timor-Leste’s Alma Nuns.
Not only was he a rockstar and an activist, Stewart also worked as a music journalist with the Herald Sun for 30 years.
This is a much-anticipated story that transcends music and activism. The book is full of laugh-out-loud anecdotes of his encounters with major stars, including Billy Idol, Keith Richards, the Wiggles and Nick Cave.
St Kilda-born Stewart has a close affinity with Australia’s First Nations people, his daughter was the first female Prime Minister in Australia’s National Indigenous Youth Parliament. He was instrumental in setting up charity and music industry groups the PRICS, the Mirabel Foundation, The Push and Ausmusic.
Despite a life-threatening liver transplant, Paulie continues to mentor refugees and young people at risk and is still performing with the Dili Allstars and Painters & Dockers.
Stewart told the Express the book came to life because of covid.
“I began jotting down my memories 11 years ago when I spent 18 months in hospital awaiting a liver transplant,” he said.
“One day I ran into Australian author Inga Clendinnen and she really encouraged me to use the time in hospital to document my life. It was such a wonderful distraction at the time.”
Stewart recalled things became really dire at one point and it looked like his time was up.
“They couldn’t find a donor and I was extremely ill. One evening I woke to find a sister at the end of my bed. Incredibly she was from East Timor and she vowed to pray for me to receive a new liver in return for my pledge to support the Alma Nuns and their work caring for disabled and abandoned children in Timor-Leste.
“Miracously, the next morning I got word a donor had been found and after receiving that incredible gift I’ve spent my time since making good on my word,” Stewart said.
In fact, the rocker recently hosted a visit from three of the nuns who toured schools and events spreading the word about the plight of the children in their care in East Timor.
The musician and social activist said he felt incredibly fortunate to have had 11 more years to spend with his two daughters and helping the nuns make a difference in the lives of their young charges.
“They are rock stars themselves. Despite the hardships they face they always have a smile on their face and you can see how much they love the kids in their care. It’s been life-changing. I feel fortunate to have been able to continue my journey to support them and have the chance to tell my story,” he said.
Entry to the event this Thursday December 7 at 7pm is free.
To register visit www.eventbrite.com.au/e/paulie-stewart-all-the-rage-tickets-75500 2541927
