This sheet music for George Trevare’s 'Out of the Blue Gums' (1942) represents more than a song – it’s a snapshot of Australia finding its own voice during the Second World War. While American and British tunes dominated the airwaves, Trevare’s lyrics celebrated ‘blue gums,’ ‘southern skies’ and echoed with the distinctly Aussie call of ‘Cooee, cooee, cooee.’

With pressure mounting for homegrown content, EMI’s Arch Kerr tapped singer and prolific recording artist Johnny Wade for original recordings. Wade brought Trevare on board as musical director, and together they created a wartime anthem that sold tens of thousands of copies. Interestingly, the plain-looking sheet music leans on Wade’s image for sales – no soldiers, no landscapes, just star power.

This versatile folk tune lived on, covered by country and rock’n’roll artists alike. And 1942 was a big year for Trevare – he also scored with a recording of George Wallace's patriotic 'A Brown Slouch Hat', credited to Myree Parker with George Trevare’s ‘Australians.’