Golden Guitar winner Tom Curtain launches book to help children fight bullying
Golden Guitar-winning musician Tom Curtain, famous for his “Katherine Outback Experience,” has released his first children's book about standing up to bullies, with proceeds supporting Dolly's Dream anti-bullying programs.
For more than a decade, Katherine Golden Guitar-winning musician and horseman Tom Curtain has spent half the year travelling through regional Australia, visiting schools to talk with kids about kindness, courage and how to speak up for their mates.
Using music, humour and his working dogs, Curtain reaches children in a way traditional wellbeing talks often cannot.
He is now extending that mission through the release of his first children’s book, Snow Speaks Up, a story inspired by his Katherine Outback Experience animals.
The book, illustrated by Kate Rutter, follows the working dog Snow, who takes action when his mate Eeyaw the donkey is being teased about his big ears.
Snow discovers his voice and helps others find theirs in time for them to unite as they face a common threat.
Curtain said the book “shows children it’s okay to advocate for themselves and others”.
“Using animals in the book enables me to reach kids in ways words sometimes can’t,” he said.
“They don’t judge, they just love, and that’s the kind of kindness I hope this story helps kids to see.”
It comes days before the federal government’s world-first social media ban for under 16s officially comes into effect.
Curtain said he could see both sides of the debate for children’s wellbeing, with social media allowing for new and more invasive forms of bullying, but also helping to connect regional and rural kids in particular.
“Being on a cattle station can be pretty isolating,” he said.
“But when we were kids, we didn’t have a phone, and we left the bully at the school gate - so I think all the social media definitely has an impact.
“We’ll have to see how it (the ban) pans out.
“I think it’s throwing back to the parents a bit of responsibility as well to keep an eye on kids, check in with the kids, and talk about all this behaviour and how to treat people and be kind.”
Five dollars from every book sale will support Dolly’s Dream, funding anti-bullying and youth mental health programs nationwide.
Curtain has served as a Dolly’s Dream ambassador since 2018, partnering with the Everett family to promote kindness, resilience, and online safety.
His connection to the family began through Territory campdrafting events, years before Dolly Everett’s tragic passing.
Mum Kate Everett, co-founder of Dolly’s Dream, said Curtain’s compassion and ongoing advocacy had helped spread Dolly’s message far and wide.
“Tom has such a genuine way of connecting with people, especially kids, through his music and his animals,” she said.
“Tom rescues animals and rescues people – that’s just who he is.”
Originally published as Golden Guitar winner Tom Curtain launches book to help children fight bullying
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