Ted Egan, Australia’s Beloved Outback Song Man, Farewelled at 93

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Australian icon and music great Ted Egan has passed away at the age of 93 at his home in Alice Springs.

His family issued a statement on Thursday, saying they would miss him dearly.

“With both sorrow and immense pride, Nerys Evans and the Egan family acknowledge the loss of our beloved partner, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and best mate, Ted Egan,” the statement read.

“Ted died peacefully at home this morning, just as he wished. We shared him with Territorians, Australians and countless people around the world.

“He enjoyed a long and generous life that stretched across 93 years.”

Born in Melbourne in 1932, Mr Egan moved to the Northern Territory when he was just 16.

In 1942, he helped establish the St Mary’s Football Club with Reverend Father Aubrey Collins in the Northern Territory.

The club was created so Tiwi Islanders serving in the armed forces could have regular opportunities to play football in Darwin.

At that time, only one team in the Northern Territory Football League permitted full-blood Aboriginal players.

Within two years of joining the league, the club claimed its first premiership and secured another shortly after.

From 1969 onward, Mr Egan released 30 folk albums, authored 15 books, produced a six-part television series on Australia, served as the Northern Territory’s administrator, and co-hosted The Great Outdoors.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1993, later named a living treasure by the National Trust, and elevated to Officer of the Order (AO) in 2004.

In 1995 he entered the Australian Roll of Renown, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Country Music Awards of Australia in 2014, and another from the National Folk Festival in 2015.

He also collected multiple country music awards throughout his career.

Tributes have poured in from across the country, with many praising Mr Egan as a legendary musician and storyteller.

On X, Tara Venn wrote that Mr Egan had always been “a champion of the people.”

“He gave us all so much. I still remember the history PD he delivered. Thinking of his family,” she said.

Country music artist Beccy Cole expressed her grief, writing, “Vale Ted. I’m heartbroken. Such a good human.”

Victoria MLA Bernie Finn said he was deeply saddened by the news of Mr Egan’s passing.

“(Ted Egan was a) legendary Australian singer, entertainer and servant of the Northern Territory,” he said.

“We will not see another like him.

“My heartfelt condolences to his family and the many fans grieving his loss. He was a national treasure. May God bless and watch over Ted for eternity.”

Musician Matt Scullion said he was “absolutely heartbroken.”

“My hero and dear friend Ted Egan passed away this morning in Alice Springs,” he shared on Facebook.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have known him and to have spent time with him last year when we recorded and filmed the video for my song ‘Beer Box Man’.

“For three memorable days we traded stories and songs around the dinner table, and he even took my wife Sharon and me four-wheel driving in his old cruiser.

“We will miss you, Ted. Long live the legacy of The Outback Song Man.”