Forget Kylie, Judith Durham was the first Ozzie pop princess. Back in the 1960s she was lead singer with The Seekers and her voice led to her acquiring a legion of devoted fans who still follow her career today.

A singer, composer and pianist, her music has now spanned over four decades. One among her fan base, Cliff Richard, said of her: "A lot of people sing well - very few have individuality - there's only one Judith Durham!"

Judith played the Portsmouth Guildhall at the end of May, but for those who didn't catch her there - as part of her extensive Diamond Tour, to celebrate her 60th birthday - she plays two further venues in our region this week and next. This 35-date tour provides fans with Judith's first UK solo shows for seven years. Audiences can expect to hear her perform tracks from her latest album along with gospel favourites, Seekers' hits including The Carnival Is Over, Georgy Girl and her solo hit Colours Of My Life. She is a also serious ragtime pianist and composer, able to give Jools Holland a run for his money - so a varied repertoire is likely to be on offer.

Judith's ninth album, the self-penned Hold On To Your Dream was released in May and a fascinating biography The Judith Durham Story - Colours Of My Life was published last month. A committed vegetarian for the past 35 years, the hippie ethos of her early years has undoubtedly remained with her to some extent. The new album includes the track It's Hard To Leave, which apparently includes lyrics with healing power, recognised at the 10th World Congress of Music Therapy last year.

A classically trained pianist at the Melbourne University Conservatorium, Judith's first professional role was playing for a ballet school. At 18, she began classical vocal training. One night, for fun, she sat in and performed some numbers with a local band. A year later, the unfortunately named Judy Cock, recorded her first EP with a jazz outfit, using her mother's maiden name of Durham.

Judith soon found herself to be a regular member of The Seekers and in 1964 was onboard SS Fairsky, headed for London and musical fortune. The band had done their homework and sent tasters of their material ahead of them. They consequently arrived to numerous bookings and soon enjoyed their first number one single with I'll Never Find Another You - the first international number one for an Australian group ever.

A few years later The Seekers' single Georgy Girl - theme to the film of the same title - was nominated for an Academy Award. The group subsequently became the first Australian band to get a US number one. Their major Aussie flag-flying was rewarded in 1967 with the nation's top honour as Australian Of The Year.

Judith brought the band's career to an end the following year, when she decided to leave giving the lads six months notice. She returned to Australia, settling on Queensland's sunshine coast. She found success with her solo career and personal happiness with her marriage to pianist Ron Edgeworth. The couple lived happily in this sunshine state, celebrating 25 years of marriage, until Ron's tragic death from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 1994.

In 1996 Judith return to the UK with a solo tour, much to the delight of her fans and has been actively touring and recording in recent years. She is a fascinating character, has learned from her experiences and accordingly lives life to the full. She is a national patron for the Australian MND Association, helping raise funds and awareness, and advocates a non-smoking, environmentally-friendly, alcohol-free and cruelty-free lifestyle.

A life to truly be celebrated.

Judith Durham plays Bournemouth Pavilion on 6 July, Performance: 7.30pm, Tickets: £16.50, £18.50, Box office: 01202 456456 and City Hall, Salisbury on Saturday, July 12, Performance: 8pm, Tickets: £16.50, £18.50, Box office: 01722 327676.