The Wolverines (rock band)

The Wolverines started in Tamworth in 1994 and said the inspiration for their name was an encyclopaedia's description of a wolverine as "a short- snouted, blunt-headed, long- haired, heavy-set, nocturnal, eat- anything, almost-extinct animal viewed by some people as a pest."^[3]

Some of their songs have crass and sexual lyrics while others are heartfelt tributes. One of their hit songs, "65 Roses" written by Lee J. Collier, tells the story of a boy who could not pronounce "cystic fibrosis" - the condition which afflicted his sister. The Wolverines changed the original 3/4 country waltz song into 4/4 country rock. The single was released to raise awareness of the condition and fundraise for Cystic Fibrosis Australia.^[1]

They have performed at shows and festivals throughout Australia and the world, including 40,000 at the Gympie Muster, 10,000 kids at Tamworth Kids Charity Concert, participated in the Australian April Middle East Tour de Force in 2007^[4] and 2008^[5] and played for American Marines in Okinawa, Japan.^[2]

In July 2003, The Wolverines sailed from Sydney to Whitsundays, stopping and playing at 14 ports, including Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island,^[1] along the way in their "The Wolverines Sail for CF Kids" tour, sponsored by LJ Hooker, fundraising for cystic fibrosis research.^[2] They concluded the tour having raised more than $35,000 and leaving it with the communities in which they had performed.^[1]

In 2007, The Wolverines repeated their "Wolverines Sail for Kids" from Sydney, up the coast to Cairns, ending at Silkwood in Far North Queensland. They anticipated stopping and playing at "all ports in between" to raise awareness and funds for less fortunate children along the coast. Starting on Friday, 6 July 2007 at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney, they sailed a 52-foot Beneteau north. Before each gig they gave a few disadvantaged children the opportunity to sail. At each stop, The Wolverines conducted a short auction to raise funds for a needy child or a local children's charity. One item regularly for auction was a signed, limited edition canvas print.^[1] They have also participated in the Tamworth Kids Charity Concert and Cystic Fibrosis Ball.^[2]