Rick and Thelma Carey comprise Australian country music's most famous double act, Rick and Thel. The couple began performing together as The Sliprail Swingsters in 1949. After marrying in 1952 they scored a recording contract with EMI. Among their best-loved songs were the tear-jerker "Fourteen Red Roses for Jenny" and the novelty songs "He's a - She's a" and "I'll Take the Dog." In the 1950s they toured Australia with the famous All Star Western Show, also featuring Chad Morgan and Kevin King. On that tour Rick developed his famed comic character Cousin Ratsack. The Rick and Thel Show, with its blend of music and comedy, was a favourite on the Australian country scene in the 60s and 70s, but the pair went off the road when Thel was diagnosed with cancer in the early 1980s. After her death in 1998 Rick retired from the public eye, although he has recently made a handful of one-off appearances. In 1985 Rick and Thel were inducted into the Australian Country Music Federation's Roll of Renown.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005
© John Elliott
Accession number: 2005.42
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John Elliott (19 portraits)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
John Elliott talks about his photographic portrait practice, including his iconic image of Slim Dusty arm-in-arm with Dame Edna Everage.
Thousand mile stare provides a unique portrait of people of rural Australia
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