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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
Josh Leeson

Gum Ball: The festival built on a passion for music and family

Matt Johnston Dan Sultan DASHVILLE Simone De Peak William Crighton Colleen Elroy Magpie Aria
Dashville chief Matt Johnston and his dog Winston preparing for the 17th Gum Ball. Picture by Simone De Peak

SEVERAL weeks ago Matt Johnston's mother Colleen dusted off a box of old VCR tapes. They were dated 2005.

Like a lost relic from another time the tapes showed a then 22-year-old Matt performing with his older brother, Dan, in their former rock band Johnny Real & The Lovemakers.

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