Ted Egan

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Ted Egan AO (b.6 July 1932) is an Australian folk musician, and was a public servant who became Administrator of the Northern Territory on October 31, 2003.

He was born in Coburg, Melbourne, moving to the Northern Territory in 1949, at the age of 16, in search of work and adventure. In his early career with the Department of Aboriginal Affairs he was mainly in the bush, and engaged in jobs like stockwork and crocodile hunting while employed as a patrol officer and reserve Superintendent. Later he was a teacher at bush schools.

He was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in the 1991 Honours List for services to the Aboriginal people, and for 'an ongoing contribution to the literary heritage of Australia through song and verse'. He was a member of the first National Reconciliation Council.

On September 14, 2005, he was awarded a one year extension to his term of office by Jim Lloyd, the Federal Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads [1], and will serve until October 31, 2006.

He was a prolific writer and performer of contemporary folk songs. Many of these such as 'Gurindji Blues' recognise Indigenous Australian heritage. He is reportedly the man who introduced Rolf Harris to the song Two Little Boys.

Egan was recently listed amongst "Australia's National Living Treasures" by the National Trust of Australia [2].