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It has been 40 years since Goanna released Spirit of Place and what a way to kick of a national tour to celebrate this album by starting in Cairns at Tanks Arts Centre.  

Begining the show with a welcome to country by The Minil Dancers, this celebration and gift giving set the tone for the night to come, one of celebration and reflection 

Shane Howard the lead singer and songwriter for Goanna was an eearly leader in the folk rockj movement in Australia, using music as a vehicle for a message about aboriginal issues and the protection of wild places. 

This is demonstarted through his songs Franklin which he said at the show was written in just five days after meeting Bob Brown and being told to go an see for himself and of course the classic hit Solid Rock.

Solid Rock was the first popular song to address the issue of land rights in Australia a theme that was later picked up by other Australian bands like Midnight Oil and Paul Kelly      

Cairns of course has a special place for Shane Howard as he lived here for many years and the show at tanks was like a meeting of old friends, songs mixed with stories and reminiscence's. One special addition to the set was "This Old Town"

To see Goanna live is a very special experience as everyone is aware that this has not happened for a very long time and will almost certainly not happen again.