The music of Peter Allen, an Australian singer-songwriter and entertainer (and first husband of Liza Minnelli) has been covered by artists that include Olivia Newton-John, Hugh Jackman, and Melissa Manchester, and one of his songs, “Arthur’s Theme,” won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1981.  Oddly enough, one of his least known songs was also one of the most covered: “Tenterfield Saddler.” It’s the story of the musician’s life starting with his beloved grandfather, George Woolnough. Take a listen below:

By many accounts, George Woolnough was Tenterfield Saddler, but he was known for another reason beyond being an important part of his grandson’s song. Woolnough was the owner of the famous Tenterfield Saddlery in Tenterfield, New South Wales, and he was known for keeping a number of terriers originally brought to Australia by early settlers from England. The breed became known as the Tenterfield Terrier not because Tenterfield was the breed’s place of origin, but because of George Woolnough and his many terriers.  Presently, Tenterfields are not recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, or AKC, but the breed became recognized by the Australian National Kennel Council in 2002.

Tenterfield Terrier by Traffordphotos is available is many formats here