Kathie Stove

Imagine a life at 18 in a remote and rugged place, already an orphan and acting mother to five younger siblings. Imagine no boyfriends, no girlfriends and no luxuries. And imagine finding simple pleasures, and even fun, on the land, by the sea, at a rare community gathering.

This was Jane Hannah Lashmar when she died suddenly before she could lead a life of her own. Jane’s Footprints tells of her life and times in song and story.


Sue Carson (pictured) sings Jane Lashmar, backed by local Kangaroo Island musicians, The Coathangers, and fellow Newcastle guitarist Michael Stove. Click on play above for a sample song by local composer Les Montanjees, from Sue Carson and Michael Stove.

Sue, a member of The Bob Corbett Band, is a supremely versatile musician - she sings folk, rock, opera and country, and plays fiddle and mandolin. 

Jane’s Footprints, at Chapman River Cellar Door on beautiful Antechamber Bay (photo Quentin Chester), Kangaroo Island, also includes dinner, in pioneer style with 21st century flair, after the 70 minute performance on 6 June 2015. The venue is not far from Jane’s grave marked by a cross under a pepper tree.

This money is being raised for The Coathangers, local musicians (from left)  Scott McDonald, Les Montanjees and Doug Gray, who are well known in the local community for their generous performances.




Les has also spent the past 18 months researching and writing the original songs and script for Jane's Footprints.

Jane's Footprints is a ticketed event limited to 80 people because of venue size and ticket income goes to the venue for dinner and costs, and to Sue Carson and Michael Stove, and (a tiny little bit) to production and marketing.

Performance in remote areas comes with the added challenge of accessibility, high costs and venue limitations. Selling enough tickets to reward the performers with an appreciative audience and a fair return is, as always, the main concern ... and then there's the weather.

If the winter rain comes early, it makes access difficult and if it rains on the night, sound quality could be affected. We think it's a risk worth taking.