00:00In the early 1960s, The Seekers became the first Australian pop group to top the charts in both the US and the UK,
00:07selling over 50 million records in the process.
00:11And for Judith Durham, it'd be the start of a lifetime of success, both with the group and as a solo artist.
00:17Now, tomorrow night in Brisbane, Judith will become only the second inductee to the honour roll
00:22at the Australian Women in Music Awards, following in the footsteps of the great Helen Reddy.
00:27I caught up with Judith via satellite from her home in Melbourne to talk about the very fitting honour.
00:45Judith, it's always an honour and a pleasure to talk to you. How are you doing?
00:49Oh, it's a thrill to talk to you, Richard. I'm very, very well and very happy to be here.
00:55And so happy to be in such a celebratory mood with you. I'm so thrilled for everything that's happening.
01:00This is just another wonderful thing that's come along in your life on the honour roll at the Australian Women in Music Awards.
01:06What does it mean to you?
01:07Oh, I'm overwhelmed. It is such an important award and it's only the second time it's been awarded.
01:14The first one was Helen Reddy and now for me to be inducted, I'm just, I'm very, very excited but sort of overwhelmed
01:22because I haven't expected to be getting any more awards. I've kind of, even though I haven't retired,
01:27it's just like I've had so many awards in my life for various reasons. But this is so unexpected and I'm really grateful, of course.
01:35And you're still sounding as good as ever. You sound as if you're 16 years of age, Judith Durham.
01:41Oh, gosh. Well, that's thrilling. And of course, I've got a beautiful make-up artist today, so I'm hoping I'm looking 16 as well.
01:50That's lovely. I have all the blessings in the world to be put in this position and to help music.
01:58You know, we really, really need music in our lives. It's the most important thing for all of us.
02:03To have songs that we can all sing, people can join in in a community spirit.
02:08Now your lips can erase the heartache I've known. Come with me to a world of our own.
02:17You're being awarded and you are loved because you are an inspiration to women.
02:22You were doing this kind of stuff before it was commonplace for women to join bands and tour the world.
02:27Do you feel like a trailblazer, Judith?
02:30Only in hindsight can I say that I was a trailblazer. I'm only finding out that I was the first to do certain things.
02:39I never set out to do that. Of course, I wanted to be on the stage, but I never expected it to be as a pop star, so to speak,
02:47because I didn't see myself as a pop singer. But I wanted to sing all sorts of music.
02:53So it's funny how destiny took me in a certain direction, and I very much appreciate the fact that Athol Keith and Bruce in The Seekers gave me that opportunity,
03:03because I may not have had the... I was certainly not ready to... I was too overweight at the time, which I know everybody doesn't agree with me on that,
03:11but I felt I needed to lose weight before I went up in front of a world audience in any way.
03:17So, you know, I was still only 20. I was loving singing in clubs and things though, and intended to be an opera singer.
03:27So it's just that destiny took me in a completely different position. And once I was up there, you know, at 20, 21, all of a sudden it was an international recognition.
03:38And that's what music can do. You never know what's around the corner.
03:47You had a bit of a health scare a few years back. How are you doing now?
03:51I'm doing pretty well. I marvel at the fact that I'm still putting one foot in front of the other. And I don't travel anymore. I've had to tell people that.
04:01You know, it disappoints me that I can't be there in the night to accept the wonderful award that I've been given.
04:08At one stage I couldn't even speak. So to be able to speak to you today is a total miracle. You can't predict anything.
04:21Judith, the carnival is far from over. It's fantastic that you're doing so well. And hearty congratulations from all your friends and your fans, of which I am both.
04:30I hope you get to soak up this special moment.
