Music fanatic and earthmover. Richard Mackney was a member of the Mackney Bros. Band who frequented clubs around the Northern Rivers through the 60s and 70s. He worked in the earthmoving business with his family for most of his life and was the former president of the Lismore Workers Club for 11 years. Lilly Harmon sat down with him to learn about his life story from 1942 to a happy retirement. 

I was born on 1 March 1942, at Don Grayald Hospital, which later became the Lismore RSL Club. It was during World War II, and at the same time Darwin sustained heavy bombing.

I came into a very large, country and farming family of 9 siblings. You would have to wonder how you could consider yourself a shy kid, but I did.

I have fond memories of early education at Blakebrook Public School, which was very adjacent to the farm. 

The Centenary of the school in 2007 attracted a huge crowd of ex-pupils, some of whom were quite successful, and spoke during the ceremonies. Blakebrook School still has a very good reputation today.

Together with a great family environment and wonderful neighbours, it was a good start to building confidence in the shy kid.

Marist Brothers school followed next as an average student and I loved athletics of all types. 

My siblings and I learned piano from the Presentations Sisters in Lismore. Learning music in those days was considered a bit 'sissy' by my peers, but twice a week, during school time, I would get out of class for half-hour lessons with the nuns.

Looking back, I could never see the connection between 'Minuet in G' and the Pop music on the 'hit parade' so I dropped out of formal lessons after about three years. 

School finished at Intermediate certificate, as it did for most in those days. It was back to the farm for me. I knew milking cows wasn't for me and thought of various paths – P.E. Teacher …. Policeman etc. I even went to Lismore Police Station to have a chat with a good mate of my dad's, the legendary Sergeant Gerry O'Neill, about the possibility, and he was very supportive.  

A small quarry on the farm became a distraction, where with my dad and brothers, we supplied gravel to the locals for roads etc. Initially, Dad converted a 1923 Buick car to a manual hoist tip truck, into which we loaded the gravel by hand.

Later, as things developed, so did the trucks & machinery used to mine and deliver the materials.



Music was still in the background. Singalongs at home with my sister, Margaret on piano, my brother Kevin on guitar and me on drums. Life on the farm wasn't looking quite so droll.

Pretty soon, we were playing for the Youth club in town, at the Apollo Hall on Sunday nights.

Margaret married and moved away. Gerard, my eldest brother, bought a double bass and modified it to electric status. Throw in an old AWA radiola, converted to an amplifier and the Mackney Bros band was born. 

It would be remiss of me not to mention Hugh O'Keefe, a school mate, who played with us in our formative years. 

Sunday nights in the FX Holden, up to the O'Keefe's on West Nimbin Road (as it was known then) to belt out Buddy Holly and the odd Perry Como song. We thought we were destined for big things. Hugh went on to greater things, travelled the world many times with his teaching qualifications and especially his music. He has recently published his memoirs, in which he mentions how much he treasures these early days in music.

Brian Marriot was also involved in the early days of the band, when we played at the Ryan Hotel (now Westlawn building). Saturday night, playing at the pub, then down to the 'Riv' to Chilly's Big Band after 10.00pm closing.

Things were good at the pub, with standing room only. One night, the publican came up to me and said, “Richard, love your music but, you're gonna have to get a singer.” We drew straws – I got the short one, and the rest is history. I also knew the words of Elvis' 'Wooden Heart'.

Life wasn't half bad for this shy country kid. Cows out to pasture, delivering gravel by day and playing music by night. We played for kitchen teas, birthdays, weddings, letter openings all around the area and beyond. Eventually playing for many important annual events such as Debutante Balls and Christmas events. An early highlight was playing for the opening of the Lismore City Hall in January, 1965.

By this time I had acquired a set of vibraphones, and played them as a lead instrument. This went well with brothers Kevin (guitar) and Gerard (the bass) for our show band at the likes of formal dinners for local service clubs and events.

The new television station, RTN8, gave local musicians a great opportunity to experience the bright lights. Sunday afternoons saw live programs, one of which was 'Showcase', featuring local bands and artists. Live TV - no video tapes back then – very scary! 5-4-3-2-1 – You're on – mistakes and all!

Ron Lawrence was compere for the show at the time, following the legendary, Dick McLaren, who I think had moved to Sydney by then.

The Lismore Easter golf carnival dinner/dance in the early 60's was a turning point for the band. The Mackney Bros was now a regular 4-piece. Jim Synott, a wonderful saxophonist, had joined us. After the fun and frivolity of the night, Terry Monroe, who was a Lismore RSL manager, asked us, “Will you guys come and play for us, for the RSL Ball coming up in a few weeks?” “I'll pay you Union rates.”

At the time, not many in country areas were paid that well. Needless to say, after checking the diary, we played for the ball. We became a resident band (sometimes up to a 6 piece) at the RSL for 17 years, backing weekly guest artists from Sydney as well as sometimes playing til 3.00am for the Saturday night dance. 'Dinner by Candlelight' bookings were essential, made a month in advance.

The RSL band included different formats with the lineup including Wendy Simpson, Ken Sidney, Barrie Chilcott, Wayne Threlfo and Phil Pryor to name a few. John Rainbird, guitarist extraordinaire, joined us there, and I still play regularly with John today. This included being part of the 'Check 2' band at the Lismore Workers Club.

Meanwhile, back in the quarry, the civil works business was booming. We had contracts with private, Council and Public Works on the books.Extra staff were employed, along with my brother, Bernard and brother-in-law, Val Turcato – keeping it in the family. We had up to 15 employed as well as many sub-contractors.

I remember running one particular job, the extension of Lismore Airport runway, sitting atop the CAT Grader, with three 2-way radios and a 'brick' mobile phone at my side, and loving it!

Earthmoving did not have an Industry standard, until the Civil Contractors Federation formed. I became the local representative. Membership of this group allowed access to Industry best practice, award pay rates and industry trends. CCF Representatives from Sydney attended local meetings and provided education, lifting our collective professional profile locally.

Project Management was my forte. I was very much 'hands-on' with an excellent team, all with appropriate tickets and qualifications.

A couple of stand-out jobs include the site preparation and civil works for the RSL Goonellabah now the Lismore Workers Sport Club, sections of the Bruxner Highway within Lismore City Council control and stacking raw sugar at the Tuncester brewery site. The sugar came from Broadwater and Condong mills while the storage at Harwood was completed. This was a 24-hour operation with some speciality equipment required. It really was one of the sweetest jobs I've done (sorry).

The 1990s saw a recession. A lot of State money never made it out of Sydney due to the looming Olympics. It became necessary, sadly, to downsize, which we managed to do, regrouping to a smaller operation, which continued until I retired just before my 70th birthday, as I had a couple of health issues to address.

Since retirement, I've enjoyed the opportunity to mentor some new young people into the civil works industry. I still love to jump on an excavator if I get a chance. It's still in the blood.

On the other hand, music has always been a huge part of my life. Early days playing as often as 7 nights a week. We had the only Sunday night gig in town, at the Lismore Italo Club, where we played for 9 years.

Music was the sanity or sometimes the fantasy that allowed one to continue on little sleep, week in, week out, and turn up on Monday to start again.

After a quick cameo with Ballina RSL, we were asked by a very good friend, the late John Cavanagh, Asst Manager, Lismore Workers Club, to play as a trio in the Regency Dining room. The perfect room that 'oldies' and many not-so-old associate with great pleasure and fond memories. 

Wendy Simpson, John Rainbird and my youngest brother, Brian Mackney played in the trio at various times, with Gerard and myself, in a gig that lasted for 28 years. Friday and Saturday nights. In the early days, two sittings for dinner was the norm, with a little dance floor, cleared for dancing 'til stumps'.

I always remember Board member, the late Betty Campbell, saying “Richard, they will have to pull this room down to get rid of you, from here.” And guess what? Sadly, they did.

Through music, club life and the people involved were entrenched in my psyche. I was always involved in club life, and it was always like a community. I was persuaded to throw my hat in the ring for the Board of Directors at the Lismore Workers club. I was subsequently elected to the board, and two years later elected as President, 13 years service in all.

You might think my sisters haven't figured in my life. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have had four wonderful sisters who have been the glue that keeps the family together.

On reflection, no one achieves anything in life without the support of their loved ones. I'd like to acknowledge the contribution from my partner of nearly 40 years, Vicki and former wife Mary, as well our children who have all been part of my journey.

Music has given me the confidence to take on all aspects of my life. One very important lesson I learned as a leader is that the more you respect and value the people you work with, the stronger your team becomes and the mutual rewards flow.

It is impossible to mention countless anecdotal stories and characters who have featured along the way. Stories within stories within stories – some fences stretched more than others. I guess that's why we have reunions.

I must leave you with a 'deep and meaningful' – 'we become what we are'. Perhaps I wasn't so shy after all.