Harold Blair AM 1924-1976

In 1956 Blair’s first – and only – commercial recording was released, and he played the outcast Crooks in Hanna Pravda’s production of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men for the Union Theatre Repertory Company. The following year he conducted an Aboriginal choir on the inaugural transmission of Melbourne’s GTV9. In 1958 Robert Helpmann cast him in the small role of Obadiah Lewellyn in J.C. Williamson’s production of Noel Coward’s play Nude with Violin, for its season at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne.

Blair spent 1959 in Europe, singing in concerts and representing Australian Aboriginals at Moral Rearmament conferences. Back home, with work scarce and a family to care for, he ran a suburban service station. In 1962 George Miller entrusted him with the title role in a light-hearted spoof of Uncle Tom’s Cabin at the Bowl Music Hall in Melbourne, which gave him a chance to sing some American spirituals. After that he managed a milk bar, and worked briefly as the superintendent of a South Australian Aboriginal mission. He also founded the privately funded Harold Blair Aboriginal Children’s project, providing Melbourne holidays for mission children. In 1964 he ran as a Labor candidate for the State Legislative Assembly seat of Mentone, but lost on preferences to the sitting member. In 1967 he taught music for the Victorian Education Department.

In July 1973 Blair sang in the first opera staged in the Sydney Opera House Opera Theatre – the NSW State Conservatorium’s production of James Penberthy’s Dalgerie, which was presented some four months before the venue’s official opening.

Harold Blair worked tirelessly for his people, though his approach was out of step with today’s attitudes. He was uncomfortable with militant initiatives such as the Aboriginal Tent Embassy; nevertheless he bridged the gap between protection and self determination and proved that, with encouragement and determination, nothing need be out of reach.

Harold Blair was made a Member of the Order of Australia in January 1976. He died on 21 May that year.

In 1995 the ABC screened Harold, a documentary on Blair’s life written and directed by Steve Thomas. It was complemented by a CD of all the surviving examples of Harold’s singing.

Frank Van Straten, 2007