Monday 16 March 2026
Heroes Lounge, St Kilda Army and Navy Club, St Kilda
Members and guests enjoyed a special evening celebrating St Kilda's King of Swing, an upcoming three-part podcast series exploring the remarkable life of Denis Farrington, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Melbourne's live music scene.
Long before figures such as Molly Meldrum and Michael Gudinski became household names in Australian music, Denis Farrington was booking the bands, filling the venues and helping to shape the vibrant entertainment culture that made St Kilda famous. The evening explored his contribution to the local music scene and highlighted the important role he played in the suburb's cultural history.
The event was hosted by the podcast's presenters, Sally Moore, host of Unplugged in St Kilda, and Paulie Stewart of Painters and Dockers fame. Together they shared insights into the development of the podcast, discussed stories and discoveries uncovered during their research, and reflected on Denis Farrington's enduring legacy.
Members were encouraged to contribute their own memories and reflections from the era, adding valuable local knowledge and personal perspectives to the discussion. The evening concluded with a screening of rare photographs of St Kilda's iconic music venues and concerts, generously provided by Geoffrey Orr, a close friend of Denis Farrington and contributor to the podcast project.
The event provided a fascinating glimpse into a vibrant chapter of St Kilda's cultural history and celebrated the people, places and music that helped define an era.
Presenters
Sally Moore is the creator and host of Unplugged in St Kilda, a podcast dedicated to exploring the people, stories and history of St Kilda's music scene.
Paulie Stewart is best known as the frontman of the iconic Australian band Painters and Dockers and has long been associated with Melbourne's live music culture.
Together, Sally and Paulie developed St Kilda's King of Swing to document and celebrate the life and legacy of Denis Farrington. Their presentation offered a behind-the-scenes look at the research, interviews and historical material that have helped bring this important local story to life.
The Society runs numerous historical talks and walks throughout the year. Our events are free and open to Society members only. Members receive information about upcoming events through our newsletter. You can join the Society for just $25 per year.