Why Ferret’s Monaro got the cold shoulder for Barnsey’s Elizabeth visit

Dave “Ferret” Fuller bloody loves Cold Chisel. In fact, he loves them so much that he wants his airbrushed Monaro to get pride of place at Elizabeth Shopping Centre when Jimmy Barnes comes to town — he’s not going to be so lucky.

• Jimmy Barnes, Cold Chisel, Fraternity built Elizabeth on rock music

Dave “Ferret” Fuller bloody loves Cold Chisel.

He loves them so much that he’s had their portrait airbrushed on the bonnet of his black 2005 Monaro. He loves them so much that he’s had the band sign not only the duco, but the donk too.

Now the Glenelg East man wants to put his pride and joy in display when Jimmy Barnes holds an album signing event at Elizabeth Shopping Centre next Sunday.

Centre management, however, have turned down his request.

According to Ferret it’s another example of red tape and the fear of litigation shutting down fun.

Centre management blames it on Ferret’s unwillingness to co-operate with the rules and processes surrounding the potentially dangerous practice of bringing a working vehicle into a shopping centre.

Either way, it’s a fully sick car.

Dave 'Ferret' Fuller with his Cold Chisel Monaro. Picture: Mike Burton

Does the pullover look familiar?

“I first met Jimmy in 1978 at the Arkaba,” Ferret says.

“It was after a show, and we went out the back to say g’day. He had a small bottle of vodka there — most probably his second for the night — and I asked if I could have a drink.

I was 16, shouldn’t have even been there. He said sure, so I skolled the lot because I wanted to souvenir the bottle!”

Once Barnesy had calmed down over the cheeky theft of his booze the two blokes became mates, regularly catching up whenever Chisel rolled through Ferret’s then hometown of Broken Hill.

David "Ferret" Fuller with Jimmy Barnes in Broken Hill, early 1980s

According to Ferret, having his car on display would add value to the day and give his Elizabeth fans a thrill, given that the Monaro rolled off the local line.

“Jimmy’s new song — Shutting Down Our Town — is about Holden closing down and that song made me cry,” he said.

“How many people in Elizabeth have been affected by that? How many shops have closed down?

“I just want people to be able to check out the car, have their picture taken and leave with a smile on their face.”

The signed engine cover of Dave 'Ferret' Fuller’s Cold Chisel Monaro. Picture: Mike Burton

Elizabeth City Centre manager Glenn Hanson said that “the safety and security of our customers, retailers, teams and the broader community is always our priority”.

“We have strict procedures and checks in place when hosting and co-ordinating events such as Jimmy Barnes’ visit to Elizabeth City Centre.

“Unfortunately, due to a reluctance to co-operate and behaving unacceptably towards our team, we will not be able to accommodate our community member’s vehicle inside our centre, on this occasion.”

So, there you have it. Ferret and his Chisel Monaro vs shopping centre management.

Sick car though.