Greg Champion’s House
Listeners to ABC Radio’s ‘Coodabeen Champions’ would be familiar with the songs of Greg Champion. Greg achieved national notice as a songwriter in 1986 with his first single, ‘I Made a 100 in The Backyard at Mum’s’. It was a runaway success. His music has been described as quirky, whimsical, tongue-in-cheek and laconically Australian.
Since 1990, he has released twelve albums featuring songs such as ‘You Can get Arrested for That’, ‘May Your Fridge be Full of Coldies’, ‘That’s the Thing About Football’ and ‘Don’t Call Wagga Wagga Wagga’. Greg has won many accolades, including a Golden Guitar, and two Country Music best comedy/novelty song awards.
Despite all his impressive achievements, there was one thing missing from Greg’s life, and it bothered him. So much so that he and mate Col Buchanan decided to get together and write a song, which they called ‘Still Haven’t Been on Burke’s Backyard’. Don was listening to the radio one day and he heard the song! He decided to pay Champs a surprise visit at his Lennox Heads home, and get even!
Greg and his partner Teresa inherited a beautiful sub-tropical garden and pool from the previous owners, including 33 cocos palms (Arecastrum romanzoffianum). Greg found the palms too overpowering and has removed all but 8 of them. The property features marvellous seaside views, and on a clear day you can look across the nearby mountain range and just make out the tip of Mt Warning.
Further information
Greg Champion’s latest CD, ‘Stand Back Australia’ includes the song ‘Still Haven’t Been on Burke’s Backyard’. It was released in January 2000 on the East West Records label by Warner Music Australia. It is available at all good record stores.