"Bilbies" are a type of burrowing bandicoot from the family Thylacomydae. One variety, "The Lesser Bilby", is believed extinct while another "The Greater Bilby" is endangered. There have been attempts to popularise the Bilby as a replacement for the Easter Bunny and to highlight its diminishing numbers due to attack from feral creatures. This has been an ongoing project and sales of Easter Bilbies helps to fund the conservation programmes. There are organisations trying to improve the Bilby's situation and if you feel so inclined please help to keep this native animal alive, it would be a pity to lose another of our unique marsupials.
click here for info from WA's Nature Base site
or here for the SA effort to reintroduce The Greater Bilby
or click here for The Bilby Appreciation Society

"The Rambling Bilbies" have released their long awaited CD, "Tread Softly".
Presenting a selection of Rob's songs from the last few years the recording took place at Pocket Universe with the amazing talents of Eric Kowarski on the desk cajoling the best out of us while Sylvia provided encouragement & sustenance.
You can hear us performing some of the songs at The Nannup Music Festival 29th Feb - 3rd March 2008.
For orders and other enquiries please call 08 9377 4733 or email us.

"The Rambling Bilbies" are a West Australian based band that has burrowed through the music archives to present a variety of unplugged style music from self penned contemporary ballads through to almost all styles including acoustic folk/rock, blues, celtic, ballads, Oz, Country/folk, jazz, 50´s-70´s R&B, etc. Some are well known favourites, others are obscure songs from our varied background and strange listening habits combining original material with classics and modern songs as well as a wide range of instrumentals. We have been performing together around WA for several years at clubs, festivals, schools, dances, concerts, weddings, engagements, birthday parties, etc.

We can add an extra dimension to your show by teaching and calling a variety of bush/folk dances ranging in difficulty from easy to more complex. As such we can provide great entertainment at your Bush Dance, party, wedding reception/ceremony, corporate function, etc.

We can play acoustically or we have our own PA/Sound system. A show can be tailored to suit the situation; We are very flexible.

There are almost no bounds to the type of show
at which this band of merry people will entertain.

Click here for an exerpt from the WA Folk Federation's Westcoast Podcast #5
published Feb 2008 - featuring an interview with Rob & Jill by Greg Cunnigham,

"The Rambling Bilbies" are:

We can play acoustically or we have our own PA/Sound system. A show can be tailored to suit the situation; We are very flexible.

 Robert Oats (vocals & guitar) has been performing for over 30 years both solo and with various groups including "The Numguts Bush Band". He has been writing songs for many years as well as arranging others to suit his own style. He is also the person behind "Resonant Voice" workshops and sound meditations which are proving to be very popular at festivals and seminars, and with the great many people who have attended his workshops over the last few years. He also does sound engineer work for a number of bands around town.

 Jill Oats (flute, piccolo, clarinet, sax, vocals), has wide experience as an instrumental and drama teacher over 20 years. Coming from a more classical background her accompaniment of the songs and arrangements of the instrumentals is enhanced by her variety and instrumental dexterity.

Skip Reed (fiddle, bass guitar) bringing a wealth of experience from various bands around town. In previous years Skip has provided musical direction and composition for a number of shows. Skip’s song and tune arrangement adds light and shade to the music with the bass anchoring the songs and the improvised fiddle adding sparkling colour.

Tony Troughton-Smith : Tony recently left the band to pursue other interests but his playing will linger on with his contribution on the "Tread Softly" CD

click here to look at some pictures or hear a song or two
For more information about
The Rambling Bilbies
ring Rob (08) 9377 4733 (phone/fax number)
mobile: 041 890 8899
(from out of Oz: 61 8 9377 4733 or mobile: 61 4 1890 8899)
or click here to send us an email