Mr Summers is a descendant of the Trawl-wool-way and Palawa people of North-East Tasmania and was born on Flinders Island in 1944.

He grew up on Cape Barren Island, which is where he discovered his love of music and dance.

And despite living in Launceston, on the North-West Coast and in New South Wales, he has gone back to the island for good.

"Everything about it I like," Mr Summers said of Flinders.

"You work but you're still on holiday. It's so relaxing."

Mr Summers is one of the most respected Aboriginal elders and claimed the Tasmanian Aboriginal of the Year award during NAIDOC week last year.

Being the only Tasmanian Songman, he is also usually the most important person at the Furneaux Islands Festival, which is held on the Australia Day weekend.

However, Mr Summers said it was getting hard to sing at many occasions, especially funerals.

The talented man with a heart of gold still loves to sing, although he, his wife Dyan and cousin Vicki Green believe a 15-year-old Flinders Island boy may eventually carry on the Songman title.

Ms Green said her nephew Thomas Wise sang at a small gathering at Killiecrankie a few weeks back.

"He blew everyone away," Ms Green said.

"Even though he doesn't play any musical instrument, he could be our next Songman."

Music has always been part of the life for the Indigenous community on Flinders Island and Mr and Mrs Summers and Ms Green agree that it still is.

"Any reason for a celebration is a reason for music and dance," Mrs Summer said.

Ms Green added: "sometime it doesn't even have to be a celebration. I'll just get on the phone and call people around for a music afternoon."

A lot has changed culturally for the island's Indigenous community over the years, although necklace and basket making are still traditions.

"The shell necklace making is ancient and has been passed on from generation to generation," Ms Green said.

"It's not just finding shells and stringing them.

"It's phases of moon, tides, breeding cycles, the movement of shells and then the whole process of gather, sizing and drilling.

"It can take anything up to three months to make one single necklace."

Mrs Summers said it was amazing the Furneaux Islands Festival was held each year, as it was a chance to focus on the island's culture and music.

The island's music is described as a mix of Cajun, blues, country, folk and Irish.

"The fortunate part for us is that in years to come Ronnie's music will be picked up digitally," Ms Green said.

"So it won't be forgotten."

About a third of the population on Flinders Island are part of the Indigenous community.