12 Facts About Shane Howard

Shane Howard is the middle child of seven children of an Irish Catholic family living in a cramped factory cottage.

Shane Howard's father, Leo, was a worker at the local Nestles powdered milk factory, for 48 years.

Shane Howard loved music, led by his mother, Teresa, who played the piano and sang.

Shane Howard studied Education at Deakin University, Geelong where he became their first Student Council president.

In May 1981, on a doctor's advice, Shane Howard took a month's hiatus from performing and travelled to Uluru:.

Shane Howard put it aside, and developed a different, rougher melody with new lyrics.

Shane Howard wrote eight of its ten tracks and provided lead vocals, acoustic guitar and didgeridoo.

Whether Shane Howard is trying to confuse us all or show that he is indeed a diversely talented soul, he has succeeded in doing both.

Shane Howard returned the favour when he and Black performed together with Liam O'Maonlai at the 1994 Port Fairy Folk Festival introducing her to Australian audiences.

In 2010 Shane Howard released a new album Goanna Dreaming and toured nationally his band, featuring his daughter Myra Shane Howard, Ruben Shannon, Rory McDougall, John Hudson, and Amy Saunders, formerly of Tiddas.

In 2000 Shane Howard was awarded a Fellowship by the Music Fund of the Australia Council in acknowledgement of his contribution to Australian musical life over many years.

In January 2016, Shane Howard was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts as a singer, songwriter and guitarist, to the recording industry, and to Indigenous musicians.