Former NT administrator, musician and author Ted Egan dies aged 93
Ted Egan died at his Alice Springs home on Thursday morning, surrounded by family. (Supplied)
In short:
Australian folk music pioneer and former Northern Territory administrator Ted Egan has died in Alice Springs, surrounded by his family.
Golden Guitar-winning country musicians and politicians have been among those to lead the tributes to his legacy.
What's next?
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has announced a state funeral will be held to honour Egan's "service and commitment" to the territory.
Folk music legend, author and former Northern Territory administrator Ted Egan has died aged 93.
Egan died this morning at home in his beloved outback hometown of Alice Springs.
The singer, who was famous for his larger-than-life persona and for popularising the beer carton as a musical instrument, was surrounded by his large family when he died.
He was also known as a vocal supporter of Aboriginal land rights during the 1960s and 1970s, including penning the song Gurindji Blues with former Australian of the Year Galarrwuy Yunupingu.
In a statement, his wife Nerys Evans and son Greg Egan told the ABC he "lived a big and very generous life spanning 93 years. We will miss him enormously".
"It is with sadness but also great pride that Nerys Evans and the Egan family mark the passing of our beloved partner, father, grandfather, great grandfather and best mate," they said.
"Ted passed peacefully at home this morning, as was his wish.
"We shared Ted with Territorians, Australians and the wider world."
Loading...Northern Territory Treasurer and Alice Springs politician Bill Yan was among those to lead the tributes to Egan, describing him as a "legend, a Territory icon and an absolute gentleman".
"Ted was such a strong advocate for the Territory and its people, he will be missed by all of us," he said.
"They don't make 'em like Ted anymore."
Ted Egan's family says he "lived a big and very generous life". (Facebook: Ted Egan NT Australia)
Top End MP Luke Gosling released a statement saying Egan "lived big, he lived generously, and he lived entirely as himself".
"Whether he was singing with a beer carton, sharing a yarn, or representing the Territory on the national stage, Ted did it with authenticity, humour and enormous heart," he said.
Musical legacy remembered
Egan was a pioneer of Australian folk and country music, a travelling troubadour in the tradition of his early counterparts like Slim Dusty — often with his tongue in his cheek.
Fellow musicians have been among those to voice their heartbreak over his death.
Golden Guitar-winning country musician Matt Scullion paid tribute to Egan on social media, describing him as "my hero and good mate".
"We will miss you Ted, long live the legacy of The Outback Song Man," he wrote.
Another Golden Guitar winner, Australian country performer Beccy Cole, also voiced her sadness over the loss.
"Vale Ted. I'm heartbroken. Such a good human," she wrote.
Ted Egan playing his instrument of choice — a beer carton.
In 2015, Egan was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Folk Festival in Canberra.
The festival's artistic directors Chris Stone, Holly Downes and Michael Sollis on Thursday described Egan as "a defining figure in Australian folk music".
In a joint statement, they said his award had been presented "in recognition of a lifetime spent giving voice to the stories, landscapes and histories of the North, and his long-standing respect and advocacy for First Nations cultures".
"His influence continues to shape artists and audiences alike, and we honour his legacy with enormous gratitude," they said.
Ted Egan served as administrator of the Northern Territory for nearly four years, from 2003 and 2007. (Supplied)
King's representative offers condolences
Egan was also the administrator of the NT — the territory's equivalent to a state governor — between 2003 and 2007.
Current NT Administrator Hugh Heggie released a statement about his predecessor's passing, in which he said Egan's "legacy is woven into the Territory's cultural celebration, its music and storytelling, and its spirit of caring for one another".
"We thank Ted for his great service to Territorians, to Australian song, literature, and the arts, and as Administrator of the Northern Territory," Dr Heggie wrote.
"Our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.
"The love of the Territory and its people was at the heart of his life's work, and that devotion will remain a lasting gift carried forward by all who call the NT home."
Ted Egan playing at the Woodford Folk Festival. (Flickr: Jan Smith)
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said Egan's decades of service to the NT "and his commitment to sharing our history have left a profound and lasting legacy".
"We thank Ted for his extraordinary contribution to public life and to the cultural heart of the Territory," she said.
"Our thoughts are with his wife Nerys and their family, friends and all who knew and loved him."
Ms Finocchiaro announced that a state funeral would be held "to honour Ted's service and commitment", with details to be announced in the coming weeks.