AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND CORPS

Transcription

B
A
N
S
D
CO
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P
2009
CONTENTS
19
AABS TRIP
TO TONGA
26
CORPORAL
SIMONE DEW
Submissions
Submissions will be called for the 2010 Journal by
the Deputy Director of Music – Army in mid-2010.
Produced by:
Major Craig Johnson
Deputy Director of Music – Army
02 6127 4125
craig.johnson@defence.gov.au
Graphic Design: Sharon Peters
Defence Publishing Service
SEP036/09
27
DONALD CANT
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FOREWORD BY THE HONORARY COLONEL
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DIRECTOR OF MUSIC – ARMY
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DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MUSIC – ARMY
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RSM AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND CORPS
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DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC
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BAND OF THE ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE
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BAND OF THE FIRST BATTALION ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT
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AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND BRISBANE
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AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND SYDNEY
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AAB-S TRIP TO TONGA
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AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND KAPOOKA
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AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND MELBOURNE
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CORPORAL SIMONE DEW
OFFICIAL RECORDING OF AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
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FROM DONALD CANT
FORMER AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND CORPS MEMBER
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AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND DARWIN
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AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND PERTH
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AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND ADELAIDE
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AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND TASMANIA
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CHRISTOPHER LUKE
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AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND NEWCASTLE
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AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND CORPS – A FORTY YEAR RETROSPECTIVE
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AABC ASSOCIATION 2009
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FOREWORD
BY THE HONORARY COLONEL
THE FORMATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND CORPS 41 YEARS AGO LED TO MANY SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS
– PREDOMINANTLY THE FORMATION OF A COHESIVE CORPS WITH FORMAL PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, THE
CONVERSION FROM BRASS BANDS TO THE FLEXIBLE MILITARY (CONCERT) BAND, AND OF COURSE THE BENEFIT
OF EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES MUSICIANS AND SINGERS. FURTHER, FROM 2009, THE AABC WAS PLACED UNDER
DIRECT COMMAND OF ARMY HEADQUARTERS, HAVING BEEN SHUNTED OVER THE PAST DECADE OR SO FROM
AHQ TO LOGISTICS COMMAND TO TRAINING COMMAND. IN THE LONGER TERM, THIS SHOULD PROVE POSITIVE.
The Army Band of today not only performs the
more accepted ceremonial type roles and tasks
for Army, but through its great versatility, skill and
professionalism can identify with and entertain
the public. I see this latter role as essential,
indeed pivotal, to the shaping of the strategic
public image of the Army. Sadly, this point is not
always understood. The articles in this Journal
demonstrate the many activities carried out by
Army Bands, including ‘public image making’.
I trust you will enjoy the contributions.
One of the challenges facing Army Bands has
been to objectively demonstrate the ‘valueadd’ to an Army which is heavily committed
on operations to combat terrorism, as well
as numerous deployments on peace-keeping
operations. But since 1993, the AABC has
basically remained untouched despite some
eleven reviews by the Army as it worked to
achieve a higher percentage of soldiers in
the front line.
Regrettably, however, with the Army facing the
challenge of doing more operationally, under
significant funding constraints, the AABC
is about to go through another challenging
downsizing in regular personnel. This challenge
will require clear thought and adaptation by all
AABC members to ensure that the AABC of the
future can demonstrate the ‘value-add’ of AABC
Bands to the Army.
Finally, my appointment as Honorary Colonel
AABC will end on 28 February 2010. This
appointment commenced in May 1994 and
during these many years, I have had the
opportunity and pleasure to be a close part of
a very vibrant ‘family’. I wish to compliment,
congratulate and thank all those associated with
the Australian Army Band Corps for their ability,
their professionalism and their dedication. It has
been an honour and privilege to serve you all.
Best wishes for the future.
Brigadier Ian Hearn AO (Retd)
Honorary Colonel AABC
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DIRECTOR OF MUSIC – ARMY
LIEUTENANT COLONEL IAN MCLEAN AM CSC
WELCOME TO THIS FIRST EDITION OF A REVISED ANNUAL AABC JOURNAL.
I CONGRATULATE MAJOR CRAIG JOHNSON FOR HIS FORESIGHT IN RAISING
THE POSSIBILITY OF PRODUCING SUCH A PUBLICATION.
Perhaps not many of us now would remember
“Jungle Drums”, a journal produced regularly in
my early days of service. It contained a wealth of
interesting features and, perhaps through accident
rather than design, became a wonderful repository
for our Corps history. It was followed by numerous
other versions of a journal, all of which contain
great stories of our formative and developmental
years. “Noteworthy News”, the newsletter of the
AABC Association, has done a commendable
job in recent years in documenting tales but is
appropriate that, as serving members, we have a
journal to keep us up to date with current trends
and activities. It is no easy task to produce a
journal so thanks to Craig for putting it all together,
the contributors who have been motivated to
record thoughts and recollections and finally
DPUBS who readily agreed to support the actual
publication process.
2009 has been a year of historical significance,
not least due to the re-raising of the Directorate
of Music. I am honoured to be the current
Director and have certainly enjoyed the many
challenges presented during the year. We are a
well resourced and staffed Headquarters with
four of us here in Fyshwick plus Logistic Manager
and Army Reserve officers located throughout
the country. We sit within Director General-Army
Operations as part of Army Headquarters so we
have direct links to DCA and ultimately the Chief
of Army himself.
All bands are now sub-units of the Directorate
with my position effectively that of Commanding
Officer. 1 RAR Band has now transferred from
Battalion command to DMUS-A. I believe we
have been meticulous in ensuring that the 1 RAR
heritage is preserved and the blue lanyard will
continue to be worn with great pride.
Most will be aware that bands are about to face
another restructure. This comes after eleven
reviews of Army’s Band and musical capability
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since 1984. At this stage details are yet to be
advised but I can assure all that the Directorate,
supported by the Officers and Warrant Officers
of the Corps, will be working diligently to ensure
the best possible outcome for our personnel. I
firmly believe music is a powerful weapon in the
promotion of peace. Our bands have proved
that over and over since regular deployments
re-commenced with Bougainville in 1998.
The AABC has a real role to play in resolving
conflict and I am driven to ensure that our Corps
contribution will continue to be recognised and
appropriately valued.
Enjoy the articles in the journal and please
consider submitting stories for future editions.
DMUS-A’s intention is that a journal be produced
annually in order that our Corps history continues
to be documented. The printed word will then
hopefully serve as inspiration for those who are
to follow in our footsteps as soldier musicians.
MAJOR CRAIG JOHNSON
IT WAS A GREAT PRIVILEGE THIS YEAR TO BE ASKED TO RETURN
TO THE AABC AFTER THREE YEARS AWAY. IN JANUARY 2006, I
ACCEPTED A POSITION ON THE EVENTS AND CEREMONIES STAFF AT
THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL, AND TRANSFERRED TO THE AR,
ALSO WORKING AS THE SO2 CADETS WITH THE ARMYSAFE ADVISORY
SERVICE. IN 2008 I RETURNED TO THE ARA AS THE
SO2 POLICY AND PLANS AT THE DIRECTORATE
OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY –
ARMY. DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MUSIC – ARMY
IS A CHALLENGING APPOINTMENT, BUT IT HAS
BEEN AN EVENTFUL AND SIGNIFICANT YEAR IN
THE HISTORY OF OUR CORPS, AND I AM GLAD TO
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ONGOING WORK
OF OUR PERSONNEL AT THE CORPS HEADQUARTERS. I LOOK
FORWARD TO THE COMING YEAR SUPPORTING THE BANDS,
AND WORKING FOR THE DIRECTORATE WITHIN AHQ.
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Background
In September 2008, the Chief of Army signed his
Directive 12/08 CHANGES TO ARMY BANDS
C2 AND ORGANISATION, bringing into effect
significant changes across the complete spectrum
of the corps’ make-up and activities. Included
amongst the many important changes was the
establishment of the Directorate of Music – Army
(DMUS-A) WEF 01 January 2009. DMUS-A was
initially established as a Direct Command Unit
of the AHQ COFS, however it was subsequently
determined at AHQ that this was not the best place
for the bands to reside. The Directorate moved to
become one of the subordinate Directorates of the
Director General of Army Operations (DGAO). This
turned out to be an excellent result, as the DGAO,
BRIG Mark Bornholt AM, was, and remains, a great
supporter of bands. Sadly, BRIG Bornholt retired
mid-year, and was replaced by BRIG Don Roach
AM. BRIG Roach took on the position with great
enthusiasm, and supported the Directorate through
some turbulent times in the second half of the year.
2009
5/101 Tennant Street Fyshwick became the
Directorate’s home, and after undertaking Public
Service recruitment for our civilian staff, we were
pleased to welcome Miss Heidi Zeller as Business
Manager, and Ms Liz Mulvaney as Officer Manager.
Both these ladies brought a wealth of knowledge
and experience to their respective positions.
Also joining the Directorate were two officers
who had recently transferred to the AR, MAJ
Andy Ryder (DHOC: AABC History Project) and
CAPT Noel Cornwill (SO to HOC: DMUS-A Safety
Manager). MAJ Ryder and CAPT Cornwill will
undertake their respective tasks as AR officers in
what I hope will be a model for future employment
options for officers, post full-time service.
Following on from the implementation of
Adaptive Army, the Remediation of Establishment
Hollowness – Australian Army Bands Capability
required DMUS-A to undertake a complete
corps-wide review of manning and capability. CO
DFSM provided invaluable input into this process,
adding his extensive corporate knowledge and
headquarters experience, and providing additional
rigor to the process. Detailed workforce modelling
was completed, and a number of options were
provided to DGAO, and then to CA. The final
outcome has placed before DMUS-A a number of
significant challenges in terms of personnel and
capability into the future. DMUS-A will continue to
work with AHQ to seek the best possible outcome
for the AABC.
Cutbacks to this financial year’s resource
allocations provided serious challenges to the way
the corps does its job. The Business Manager
has worked extremely hard, sourcing additional
resources and maximising the effect of the available
resources at our disposal. Many thanks to the
members who assisted her in these endeavours.
In a first for the AABC, DMUS-A has secured a
place at the Australian Command and Staff College
for one AABC MAJ every three years beginning in
2011. The successful candidate was not known
at the time of writing, but this is a step forward in
helping prepare our senior officers for higher level
command appointments.
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of three
Warrant Officers this year. WO1 Simon Renfrey
has done outstanding work in the area of
Hearing Protection PPE. WO1 Vaughan Grant,
equally, has done exceptional work in relation
to the development of the ACMS SOP, and has
become the AABC SME on this matter. WO2
Mark Cunningham has excelled as the DMUS-A
Logistics Manager. WO2 Cunningham’s dedication
and tenacity has ensured that the myriad of issues
accompanying the change of commands were
efficiently and effectively handled. Well done to
these three outstanding senior soldiers.
Conclusion
Finally, 2009 has been a significant year for the
AABC. We are now firmly ensconced within DGAO
and AHQ, and well positioned for the coming years.
After a number of years as CEO of the Canberra
Symphony Orchestra and in the corporate world,
the corps was fortunate to have LTCOL Ian McLean
AM CSC return to the ARA in January 2009
as DMUS-A. LTCOL McLean’s experience and
knowledge have already been crucial in discussions
with senior Generals on corps and music matters,
and on a personal note, it is an absolute delight for
me to be working with LTCOL McLean again as his
principal staff officer.
Best wishes to all members and your families for
the festive season and the coming year.
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RSM AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND CORPS
WARRANT OFFICER CLASS ONE IAN THOMSON
Welcome to
the inaugural
AABC Journal.
It was hoped
to have the first
edition published
to coincide with the
40th anniversary of
the Corps, however
this was unattainable.
As a vehicle for the
dissemination of
information, I encourage
all to provide input for
future editions.
This year opened with three
significant events: the retirement of
LTCOL Patrick Pickett, CSM after in excess of
37 years dedicated service to the Corps; the
welcome of LTCOL Ian McLean, AM, CSC as
the new Director of Music-Army; and the tragic
consequences of the Victorian bushfires. I am
sure that I speak for all members of the Corps
when I say that there were very mixed emotions
on that notable weekend in February.
I recently attended the 2009 RSM-A Symposium
at Canungra. This symposium was attended
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by all RSMs and Regimental WOs. The primary
focus of this gathering was to provide input into
the All Corps Soldier Training Continuum, at all
rank levels, to ensure that skills attained were
relevant to the current deployment environment.
Although outcomes have not been published,
I am confident future course content will be
markedly different to current TMPs.
A short presentation was also given on the
Strategic Reform Program. The aim of this
program is to find approximately $5.4 billion in
savings over the next 10 years. Savings realised
will then be re-invested in Army to purchase new
equipment and platforms to support operations
in the future. Attendees were left in no doubt that
there is no immunity from this program.
I am aware that all units have been working
extremely hard providing an excellent product to
our customers, be they Government, Defence,
Army, or the general public. In these times of
uncertainty, I am confident in the ability of our
soldiers to rise to the occasion. As the ‘face’
of Army, we need to ensure that we remain a
relevant asset that continues to value add to
Army’s public relations capability.
“INSTRUMENTAL IN DEFENCE”
DEFENCE FORCE
SCHOOL OF MUSIC 2009
AS THE CENTRE FOR ‘JOINT’ MUSIC TRAINING IN DEFENCE, THE
DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC (DFSM) PRIDES ITSELF NOT ONLY
ON “STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE” BUT ACHIEVING IT. SO MUCH HAS
CHANGED SINCE ARMY MUSIC TRAINING, AND LATER NAVY MUSIC
TRAINING LEFT THEIR SINGLE SERVICE INSTITUTIONS AT BALCOMBE AND
CERBERUS IN 1983 AND 1985 RESPECTIVELY. CHIEFLY AMONG THOSE
CHANGES IS THE MOVE AWAY FROM ‘ENTERPRISE’ COMPETENCIES
TO ‘NATIONAL SKILLS’ COMPETENCIES. I KNOW TO MANY OF YOU THIS
WILL SOUND LIKE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, BUT AS PART OF THE WIDER
DEFENCE REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATION (RTO) IT BEHOVES
US TO EMBRACE ‘COMPETENCY BASED TRAINING’. THIS HAS
REQUIRED EACH OF US TO COME TO TERMS WITH AN ENTIRELY
REVISED SYSTEM OF LESSON DELIVERY AND ASSESSMENT,
SPECIFICALLY ALIGNING OURSELVES WITH THE VOCATIONAL
TRAINING EDUCATION (VTE) NETWORK, AND THE
ASSOCIATED CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTAINED
THEREIN. MOREOVER, THE COMPLIANCY
REQUIRED OF THE STAFF PERSONALLY, AND THE
ORGANISATION TO RETAIN ITS RTO STATUS
IS DEMANDING TO SAY THE LEAST, SEEING
EVERY MEMBER GOING ABOVE AND
BEYOND TO ENSURE DEFENCE’S
MUSIC TRAINING REMAINS AT
THE FOREFRONT OF ALL SUCH
TRAINING IN THIS COUNTRY.
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Further, 2009 saw the reestablishment of the
DMUS-A office, ostensibly splitting the CO DFSM
and DMUS-A roles to the way they once were.
Additional support has also been gained from the
newly established Defence Command Support
Training Centre (DCSTC). DCSTC is the umbrella
organisation responsible for five disparate Joint
Defence Training Establishments (TE), DFSM
being but one of those TEs. My hat goes off to
my predecessors who worked day and night,
seven days a week to achieve the priorities of
both roles, and without the umbrella support of an
intermediate headquarters. Well done gents, don’t
know how you did it other than to guess that, like
me, you had great staff to get you through.
In this our 25th year of operation since relocating
to Simpson Barracks, the DFSM have continued
to evolve from a gestetner / typewriter organisation
to a progressive IT based training institution.
Our classrooms are now at the point where
every student has a networked desktop PC, and
as recently as two weeks ago will additionally
be issued a personal laptop computer. With
the addition of the laptops, the way ahead is
to cleanse the desktop machines of all trade
specific applications and dedicate them solely
to business applications, including member’s
personal email account. This will remove all midi
conflicts experienced on the network in the past.
The laptops on the other hand (stand alone) will be
loaded with the latest in music writing packages,
aural training software, and once again the
standard business applications.
DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC 2009
DFSM’s corporate IT extends to a state of the art
Pro Tools recording studio, and a professional
video editing suite. Of course all of this technology
is useless unless there is the expertise on hand
to drive it. We are blessed in this area with the
services of SGTs Pete Bell and Chris Wiseman
turning out some wonderful material both for
DFSM and the wider Army.
Training continues to evolve, obviously employing
the technology eluded to above and following
industry trends where possible. The main focus
of our attention this year has been the redesign of
advanced training courses, and just as importantly
the method of delivery. The training developers
and the IT cell have developed an exciting method
of delivery through laptops and ipod touch. The
pilot course will be the Drum Major course. This
course is currently a five day residential course,
but employing the new technology it is anticipated
that delivery of training can be delivered in the
member’s home location over a period yet to be
determined, with a greatly reduced assessment
phase at the DFSM; more to follow on this, but if
it sees our members away from the unit less while
maintaining a high standard of training, then I am
sure Army will agree to move forward with it.
Of course the application of such initiatives in the
Reservist space is immediately apparent. The
Distance Learning (DL) packages currently offered
to Reserve personnel are complex in delivery and
don’t meet the strict RTO compliance required
should we wish to realise the desired portability
of qualifications between part time and full time
Defence musicians.
My last word on training is with regard to relevance,
more precisely, is what is being delivered at the
DFSM preparing members for their new role in the
workplace? In a workplace job analysis conducted
earlier this year it was shown that there is a definite
gap in the training being delivered. Reasons for
this are varied, but we can quite safely say that
in the intervening years since the last analysis in
1973, the role of a Defence musician has evolved
somewhat and in employing those measures
mentioned above (among other initiatives) DFSM
intends on addressing the gap issue.
Entry to the DFSM on the Basic Musician Course
(BMC) has also undergone considerable change
in the last ten years. First of those changes is that
Navy no longer avail themselves of that course,
opting for ‘job standard’ entry into their bands as
the only avenue of entry. Navy do however continue
to avail themselves of the advanced training
offered. Army continue to offer the BMC avenue,
but there has been a decline in suitable applicants
generally, to the point where in the coming training
year our approved throughput has been reduced
by 25%. I must at this time elaborate on the
BMC. Although there is only the one course title,
applicants that audition at ‘job standard’ are placed
on an accelerated BMC, placing them into a Band
after only approximately six weeks at DFSM as
opposed to the maximum time of fifteen months.
The six weeks is spent on military music specifics,
that which is above and beyond their already
proven instrumental proficiency. In keeping with the
trend of change, discussions concerning audition
standards are a constant. One school of thought
is to lower the standards to achieve a higher
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throughput, while the opposing school suggests
retaining the higher standard will, in the long run,
offer greater job satisfaction resulting in a higher
retention rate; more to follow on that one.
Finally, I must in this forum thank the tireless work
put in by the staff of the DFSM. All members
posted here immediately realise that from the
very first day you march in to a Defence training
establishment you are on a very steep learning
curve, and that curve persists until the day you
are posted out. The resultant feeling of never quite
feeling that you are in your ‘comfort zone’ can be
immensely draining on one, but for the exact same
reason the goals you do manage to achieve are so
much more rewarding.
The DFSM is a hard working,
multi faceted organisation
addressing not only the
training requirements for
Defence music, but also
the complex area of trade
management for Army
musicians. I trust this
article has given you some
small insight into the inner
workings of DFSM and, if in reading this it has
raised more questions than answers, please call me
or one of the DFSM staff to set your mind at ease.
Yours sincerely,
Gordon Lambie CSM
Lieutenant Colonel
Commanding Officer / Chief Instructor
Defence Force School of Music
BAND OF THE
ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE 2009
AS ALWAYS, THE BAND OF THE ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE HAD A BUSY
YEAR IN AND AROUND THE NATION’S CAPITAL. AFTER THE TRAGEDY OF
THE VICTORIAN BUSHFIRES WE EMBARKED ON A SERIES OF FUNDRAISING
CONCERTS EVERY SUNDAY FOR SEVEN WEEKS. PERFORMING TO
AUDIENCES OF ALL SIZES IN BATEMAN’S BAY, BRAIDWOOD, GOULBURN,
YASS, QUEANBEYAN AND, OF COURSE, CANBERRA WE WERE ABLE TO
RAISE OVER $32,000 FOR THE RED CROSS VICTORIAN BUSHFIRE APPEAL.
TO BE ABLE TO DO A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THESE AUSTRALIANS
MADE THESE SHOWS EVEN MORE MEANINGFUL, AND BEING ABLE TO
HAND OVER THAT SUM OF MONEY WAS VERY PLEASING.
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Completing our regular government and
community engagements, parades and mess
functions still takes priority however. We have
welcomed many new Ambassadors to Australia
at Government House in credentials ceremonies,
heralded several Heads of State and senior
political figures at Parliament House and saluted
numerous Senior Military hierarchy at Blamey
Square. Being the Government and ADF
welcoming committee to these representatives
from around the world is a significant role
and the Band prides itself on performing their
National Anthems to the highest level, with a
significant effort being made to play them ‘as
they would want to hear them’.
Unfortunately this year’s Beating Retreat
ceremony was cancelled due to resource
constraints but we were able to continue our
role of engaging with the local community
BAND OF THE ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE 2009
by performing twelve Music at Midday concerts,
raising well over $20,000 for various charities
around town and entertaining around 10,000
Canberrans and visitors along the way.
The Band was also significantly involved in
the Canberra International Music Festival. The
RMC All-Stars Big Band spread their wings
and joined forces with a number of local and
visiting musicians for an Australian Premiere
performance while a repertoire tailored wind
ensemble from the Band played for a live
broadcast at the National Film and Sound
Archive. The highlight was the full band
combining with the strings from the Canberra
Festival Camerata to present an afternoon of
Gallipoli inspired evocative music, poetry and
letters set inside the spectacular backdrop of
the Australian War Memorial.
Midyear saw us touring through regional NSW
in aid of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of
Australia. The whirlwind trip took us to Orange,
Dubbo and Parkes and saw over $5,700 being
raised. We had appreciative crowds at all
venues, enjoying every aspect of the two hour
show, with the final two performances sold
out. Many people hadn’t seen an Army band
and were delighted by our competence and
versatility. The Band had a valuable time on
the road, further developing our professional
skills and making new friends for the ADF along
the way. During the year the RMC All-Stars
Big Band enjoyed similar success at both the
Thredbo and Moruya Jazz Festivals.
The second half of the year brought ‘Army in
Concert’. Joined by AABK and guest artist
Michael Cormick, the large audience were
delighted by the vibrant music and entertainment
on offer, particularly the xylophone feature! The
impressive show, which included a moving
Vietnam Veterans’ tribute, raised $15,000 for
Canberra Legacy. The bands relished the rare
opportunity to have a third of the Corps on stage
and the audience left with great anticipation for
next year’s concert.
Located in the Australian Capital alongside
our National Institutions, this year the RMC
Band embarked on a program to utilise these
significant resources and bring to life items
that may very well never see the light of day.
The first instalment of this initiative, The Fallen
Remembered, coincided with Remembrance
Day and the performance entailed engaging
with the National Library and the Australian
War Memorial to present a program of music
written or performed by POWs. As in our
earlier performance at the War Memorial, this
production at the National Library was very
moving for the audience and band. Performing
the music of those who experienced so much
cruelty under inhumane conditions so we might
live in safety was confronting, humbling and
very touching.
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We finished the year off with some traditional
Christmas Carols, but not before we had
committed to one of our most significant roles,
supporting the College and its graduates by
performing for the array of tasks and Parades
associated with an RMC Graduation.
In summary 2009 was successful professionally
for Government and the Unit’s membership.
The Band looks forward to returning in 2010
to commence the preparations and recordings
associated with the Centenary of the College the
following year, and ready to take on whatever
another dynamic year in the ADF will present.
Major Geoff Grey CSM
BAND OF THE FIRST BATTALION
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT 2009
2009 HAS BEEN A HISTORIC YEAR FOR 1 RAR BAND WITH ITS COMMAND
AND CONTROL (C2) TRANSFERRING FROM CO 1 RAR TO DMUS-A ON 01
JULY. IMPORTANTLY, THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE 1ST BATTALION HAS
NOT CHANGED NOR HAS THE BAND’S IDENTITY AS IT HAS RETAINED
ITS NAME AND UNIFORM. MY CATCH PHRASE REMAINED UNCHANGED
THROUGHOUT, TAKE THE BAND OUT OF THE BATTALION BUT DON’T TAKE
THE BATTALION OUT OF THE BAND. THE CHANGE IN C2 HAS MADE THE
BAND MORE ACCESSIBLE TO OTHER 3 BDE AND NQ UNITS, OUR TASKING
CERTAINLY REFLECTS THIS.
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Due to its instrumentation, the band’s main effort
is big band which makes our ability to employ all
the musicians whilst providing customer focused
entertainment particularly
achievable. Being back in
Townsville after a 17 year
absence means that I am able
to see how far the band has
travelled musically and equipment/
facilities wise. Hopefully the efforts of
the new BSM (WO2 Paul Davies) and myself
are able to grow on the foundation that was
well laid by our previous incumbents,
MAJ Andy Ryder and WO1 Caradoc
Jones. Many of the existing
commitments such as the WNBL
Ball, JCU Graduations, Carnivale
in Port Douglas and the Cairns
Amateurs have continued
along with a few additional
trips and gigs thrown in for
good measure.
BAND OF THE FIRST BATTALION ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT 2009
Concentrating mostly on primary schools this year,
the band has travelled to more than 20 schools
in Townsville alone with a focus on schools with
large numbers of Defence children; Our main
effort portraying the Army in a positive light given
the negative image that children can develop
over years of postings and deployments. The
highlight at every school without doubt was the
performance of LCPL Arthur Florence dancing
in our ‘Wiggles Medley’, for those who haven’t
met Artie he is all arms and legs (at 5ft 19in) and
generally they don’t keep up with his torso! The
V8s visited Townsville for the first time this year
and the band was more than happy to go along
and support such a major community event and
looks forward to our involvement growing in the
years ahead. With such a large region to cover
in North Queensland, travelling is always a large
part of the job. This year the band travelled further
west to places such as Barcaldine and Mt Isa to
support community and charity events with the
monotony of the 11 hour trips broken by SGT Alex
Sawran’s ability to get vehicles airborne, promptly
followed by a driver change! It was great to get out
to places we have not been for almost a decade
and the reception that the band received was
motivation enough to perform at our very best.
The trips seem to keep coming thick and fast at
the end of every calendar year and this year was
no different with the Cairns Amateurs turned into a
full week event, incorporating a handful of schools
for workshops and concerts, and a community
concert combining with the Cairns City Concert
Band . The SES fundraiser in Palm Cove has
also become an annual event and continues to
grow, with thanks to the 1 RAR Band of course!
transition, in particular my team who could have
been forgiven for thinking we would cancel jobs for
a month or two to make life easier.
The end of 2009 is looking like a stimulating time for
1 RAR Band. With a deployment in support of the
Mentoring Reconstruction Task Force -2 (MRTF-2)
imminent, there is a buzz around during rehearsals
and concerts alike as many of the members start to
gear up for what will be an immense effort. Being
away for Christmas is never easy on family life and
relationships at home, however the opportunity
to deploy in support of ‘our’ troops (MRTF-2 is
a 1 RAR led, 3 Bde Battle Group) has captured
the imagination of the band members and we are
working extremely hard to produce a professional
and entertaining product for the troops.
The band visited Airlie Beach twice in October for
various community fundraisers and was kept very
busy around Townsville supporting a lot of the 3
BDE units for their balls and mess functions leading
up to Christmas.
Of course all of the above was achieved whilst the
band transitioned out of 1 RAR and that process
was not instantaneous and this journal is the
perfect opportunity to thank all involved in the
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Once we return from our deployment and take a
well deserved break it will be business as usual in
2010 with a job board that continues to fill fast. The
weather certainly never changes in Townsville, hot
and sunny, and neither will the annual commitments
of the band. The one thing that is changing is
the public perception of our organisation - slowly
members of the Townsville community are jumping
back on board and starting to support the band. We
will continue to work on this throughout next year.
Merry Christmas from all of us in 1 RAR Band and I
do hope you hope you find an opportunity to think
of your colleagues representing the Corps overseas
on Christmas Day.
Major Dan Hiscock
OC/MD AAB-M
AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND
BRISBANE 2009
2009 STARTED IN TYPICAL FASHION WITH A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY TO
WELCOME EIGHT NEW MEMBERS (SIX ARA, TWO AR) TO THE BAND AND
TO PREPARE FOR AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS AT GOVERNMENT
HOUSE. THERE WERE SIGNIFICANT STAFF CHANGES IN KEYS AREAS
OF RESPONSIBILITY, SO THE RELATIVE CALM OF FEBRUARY GAVE
OUR NEW POSITION HOLDERS A CHANCE TO SETTLE INTO THEIR NEW
POSITIONS (MAJ MARY-LOU BATES, 2IC; WO1 STEVE HOOPER, BSM;
CPL RICK BARNETT CC; AND CPL REBECCA TILLMAN [NOW WIGGINS],
BQMS). THE RELATIVE CALM ALSO GAVE US A CHANCE TO FINE
TUNE (LITERALLY AND METAPHORICALLY) ALL OF OUR ENSEMBLES IN
PREPARATION FOR A BUSY 2009.
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Despite unbalanced instrumentation
(bassoon but no oboe, only one trombone
but two guitars, and four percussionists);
the principle ensemble of AAB-B continues
to be its concert band, with around forty
public concerts presented in the South East
Queensland region, and many thousands of
dollars raised for local charities. Whilst our
most popular concerts continue to be the
bi-monthly lunchtime concerts in Brisbane’s
iconic City Hall (which attracts audiences
of over 1200), the concert highlights of the
year included a combined concert with
the Conservatorium Wind Orchestra at the
South Bank Piazza in June (culminating in a
combined performance of the 1812 Overture
with a total of 160 musicians performing),
and our annual Army in Concert
in October held at the
Conservatorium Theatre and
featuring Tenorissimo! (four
of the original Ten Tenors).
AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND BRISBANE 2009
In addition to the concert band, our other
ensembles (stage band, rock band, jazz
ensemble and brass and woodwind quintets)
are kept busy with a combination of concerts
and performances in support of local units, DFR
and State and Local Governments. Significant
performances for our ensembles have included
two concerts at Brisbane City Hall, and the
stage band and rock bands presenting public
concerts in Rockhampton as part of EXTS09,
and at South Bank as part of
Brisbane’s Riverfire
festival. One
ensemble that
is sadly neglected
however is the
marching band.
Despite sharing Gallipoli Barracks with over 3000
7Bde troops, the high operational tempo of the
brigade has meant that there is very little time for
ceremonial activities. Our only regular parade ‘gig’
is the Junior Leaders’ Course (JLC) March Out
Parade – on a parade ground so small there is
no room for a march past! In the past this parade
has provided a valuable training opportunity for
SNCOs to hone their DM and MD skills, but this
year the BSM and I have jealously guarded
these positions in order to ensure our own
parade skills are maintained.
On a personal note, we were all delighted when
CPL Rebecca Wiggins married Melissa in January
in Canada (overlooking Niagara Falls), and when
MUSN Rod Davidson married Catalina in May.
Also exciting, was the news that CPL Kylie
Fairbrother gave birth to Jake in December last
year. Promotions throughout the year have included
LCPL Lauren Thurlow (who was awarded Student
of Merit on her JLC), and LCPL
Lisa Agnew (who was awarded
Best Instructor on her JLC).
Despite instrumentation difficulties and
some turbulence created by speculation over
the future shape of AABC, I continue to be
impressed by the professionalism and versatility
displayed by all members of AAB-B (young
and old). I have been very fortunate
to be their OC for three years and
count myself very lucky to be
remaining here for a fourth
year. To all those being
posted from AAB-B, I
would like to wish you
and your families all the best for
a safe and rewarding 2010, whilst
to those being posted to AAB-B,
I would like to offer you and your
families a very warm welcome.
Major Peter Thomas
OC/MD AAB-B
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SYDNEY 2009
We kicked off the year with the Big Band
performing in at Darling Harbour on Australia
Day. The reception was that great that the
Band was invited to come back and perform
regular lunchtime concerts, culminating
with a performance for Darling Harbour’s
21st birthday bash!
We scrambled into a last-minute
performance on the Queen Mary
II (the world’s biggest cruise
ship) and barely got our gear
disembarked before she
was pulling out of
Sydney Harbour
and on to Asia.
WHAT A GREAT PRIVILEGE IT HAS BEEN TO ASSUME COMMAND OF THE
BAND THIS YEAR. I MUST ADMIT, BEING A BOY FROM WA, THERE WAS
SOME TREPIDATION ABOUT MOVING TO THE BIG SMOKE, BUT SYDNEY
HAS PROVEN TO BE A VERY LOVELY TOWN WITH SOME GREAT PEOPLE;
AND NONE MORE SO THAN THE GUYS IN THE AAB-S. NOT ONLY ARE
THEY GREAT MUSICIANS, BUT THEY’RE A DELIGHT TO WORK WITH.
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The band was
ably represented
on the Anzac Day trip to Gallipoli by
CPLs Vince King, Greg Peterson, Tim
McCabe, and MUSN Ross Oldham.
AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND SYDNEY 2009
which included a massed band birthday
parade and a Military Tattoo. The guys,
including valued support from AAB(N), RMC
and 1RAR Band as well as our own members,
did a fantastic job over in Tonga and reaped
due accolades from fellow military personnel
and locals alike.
Currently, we are busily recording marches,
some dating back to federation, for a new
audio enhanced customs and traditions
manual of the Australian Army.
We’ve also been able to get
the Band out and about in
NSW as well this year,
starting with a televised
performance of the anthem,
Last Post and Rouse for
the Anzac Day NRL match
at the Sydney Football
Stadium. The members
of SCRIM (the Soldier’s
Creative Reading
and Improvisation
Method) had a very
successful trip to
Thredbo for the
2009 Jazz Festival,
and just a few weeks later we were off to Port
Macquarie to help support some local charities
as well as perform to some local schools. We
then welcomed MUSN Tanya Christensen
back from maternity leave by packing up our
winter woollies and heading off to Bathurst
to perform to a great audience in a wonderful
theatre. That trip was particularly enjoyed by
Exercise Longlook participant, SSGT Simon
Stafford who had just returned from the Top
End and the Barrier Reef with a tan that
definitely didn’t belong in Bathurst.
No woollies required for our final tour, thus
far, to the Kingdom of Tonga to support King
George Tupou V’s 61st birthday celebrations
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We’ll be out of the recording studio soon
though, and looking forward to a fruitful 2010,
beginning with the Edinburgh Tattoo’s return
to Sydney in February.
Major Peter O’Connor
OC/MD AAB-S
AABS TRIP TO TONGA
THE KINGDOM OF TONGA, ANCIENT POLYNESIA, EVOKES THE IMAGES
OF GLISTENING CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS, STUNNING BEACHES,
SWAYING PALM TREES, UNSPOILED FOLIAGE AND LUSH FAUNA, A
TROPICAL PARADISE WITH AN UNHURRIED AND PEACEFUL LIFESTYLE.
THE LOCAL PEOPLE ARE AS BEAUTIFUL AND WELCOMING AS THEIR
SURROUNDINGS, A CULTURE THAT LIKES NOTHING MORE THAN
COLLECTING FROM THE SEA, SINGING AND DANCING, AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY, FAMILY GATHERINGS.
Sound like a dream holiday destination? Who
could be so fortunate as to be sent there for
twelve glorious days of work?
In July this year, Australian Army Band Sydney
was cordially invited to the kingdom of Tonga to
participate in a mass band military tattoo and a
parade for King George Tupou V’s birthday.
We could not have been luckier! From the
moment we stepped off the plane into the
beautiful humidity and were picked up by our
winsome Tongan driver on our funky retro bus,
we were treated like honoured guests.
The hard work had already been done, learning
the musical display in Sydney. It featured
musical items such “I am Australian”, “Brown
Slouch Hat”, “Land Down Under”, “Master
Blaster”, “Man from Snowy River” and “I Still
call Australia Home”, arranged by our very
own SGT Rachel Beeton and CPL Greg
Peterson. We also sang a popular Tongan song
composed by Queen Salote.
With our guests from other Australian Army
Bands, including popular corps celebrity MUSN
Todd Burke, we rehearsed the display for a
week before our departure and memorized it.
The easiest part of the trip was, well, going
to Tonga!
We arrived on a Saturday evening; the
sultriness hit us as soon as we stepped off
the plane in our Sydney winter attire. Our
accommodation was fantastic, a lovely
Christian dormitory just twenty minutes from
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the centre of town, run by a local family. We
were so fortunate that they were amazing cooks,
letting us sample delicious traditional food and
teaching us a little of Tongan culture, too. We
did strike our first and only disaster that night
however; it was illegal to buy alcohol after 5pm
on a Saturday due to religious reasons! Famous
for their hospitality though, a few of us did
manage to source a few refreshments for our
first evening in Tonga.
A staunch Christian nation, the Sabbath
is declared forever sacred in the Tongan
constitution. The Island shuts down on a Sunday,
the day being dedicated to going to Church and
family gatherings. Few places are open to the
tourists, so we were given the royal treatment
with a bus tour of the Island by our personal
Tongan military driver. He showed us every
AABS TRIP TO TONGA
popular tourist spot there was, including the
incredible blow holes and the largest standing
ancient Polynesian structure.
The next few days were spent rehearsing the
parade in the morning and the tattoo in the
evening. In between however, we had free
time to head into town or relax and soak in the
peaceful lifestyle. A few of us hired bicycles for
the duration of the trip, handy for ducking into
town for a ice cream, a dip in the ocean or a
coffee at the revered “Friends Cafe”. Tongan are
so friendly, we felt so welcome on their island,
just passing them on the street, you would
receive a big smile and a genuine greeting.
The Tongan people have a proud and rich
culture. They belong to close knit communities
and have large extended families. In fact, a
Tongan house with a fence is regarded as
unusual. Gathering and feasting is regarded
with great importance, the larger the person,
the greater his or her status!
Saturday the 1st of August was the King’s
birthday parade at Mala’e Pangai. After a week
of rehearsal with the Tongan Army Band, the
New Zealand Navy Band and the Pacific Fleet
Marine band from the USA, we razzle-dazzled
the King and public with a two hour parade. If
we gained anything from this trip, it was utmost
respect for the Tongan Army Band; they have
chops of steel and the stamina of the Terminator!
That evening we all attended the Tonga Defence
Force Commanders reception and Beat Retreat
at the Masefield Naval Base. We were treated to
another sensational feast of local food and cultural
display of traditional dancing and singing. The
performers were actually men and women from
the Tongan Defence Force who would also be
participating in the Tattoo. They were absolutely
breathtaking! Later that evening we kicked on,
celebrating the King’s birthday at the ‘Bill Fish’, a
local bar right on the esplanade.
Our own Corps Birthday was celebrated on
Sunday, starting with our invitation to attend the
official birthday church service at the Centenary
church. We were so eager, we even arrived
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an hour early to secure our seats; it was as
crowded as a Myer stock take sale!
After church, we jetted out like movie stars to
Pangai Moto Island, where we were welcomed
by local personality and resort owner, ‘Big
Mama’. The remainder of the afternoon was
spent eating, drinking, swimming, and relaxing
on the beautiful Island.
That evening, we savoured yet another feast,
this time put on especially by our local hosting
family. The spread of food was a smorgasbord of
Tongan delights, including sucking pig, traditional
fish curry and fresh tuna mornay. They also made
a chocolate taro cake which was simply divine!
AABS TRIP TO TONGA
Monday the 3rd of August was the night we
had been rehearsing and waiting for, the Tonga
Military Tattoo. It poured down like cats and dogs
while we waited on parade for the arrival of the
King. It did not deter the crowds of spectators,
though, and we enjoyed ourselves regardless
because we had worked so hard for it.
Tuesday the 4th we visited Queen Salote Girl’s
School and performed a concert for them. It was
extremely well received, as Tongans are generally
not shy people and have a great love of singing
and dancing. They especially loved our Kung
Fu Panda, MUSN Nick Salter, and our visiting
vocalist from 1RAR, MUSN Angie Currington.
That evening we were lucky enough to be invited
to the Australian High Commissioner’s own house
for a BBQ. As much as we loved the Tongan food
and hospitality, what red-blooded Aussie doesn’t
love an old fashioned BBQ and salad! Not to
mention the refreshments were flowing in style! It
was indeed a civilized way to wrap up our trip.
We returned home after one last free day to say
goodbye to the town we had all grown so fond of
with so many wonderful memories of this proud
and diverse hidden jewel of the Pacific. It was
a remarkable experience and we all know how
extremely blessed we are to have been given
the opportunity.
CPL T Neilsen
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KAPOOKA 2009
2009 has been an exciting year for the band as
it was granted Freedom of the City of Wagga
Wagga. This prestigious award is to mark,
commemorate and acknowledge 56 years of
dedicated and distinguished service to the City
of Wagga Wagga. This tradition is regarded as
the highest compliment that can be offered to a
military unit by a civil organisation.
Exercising the right
to Freedom of the
City of Wagga Wagga
THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND KAPOOKA (AAB-K) CONTINUES ITS
PRIMARY ROLE OF SUPPORTING THE ARMY RECRUIT TRAINING
CENTRE (ARTC) AND AS SUCH HAS BEEN KEPT BUSY WITH REGULAR
MARCH OUT PARADES. THE BAND HAS ALSO FEATURED FREQUENTLY
AT BOTH THE OFFICERS AND SERGEANTS MESSES, KEEPING
MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS ENTERTAINED. IN ADDITION TO THESE
MILITARY AND CEREMONIAL ROLES, THE BAND PROVIDES SUPPORT
TO LOCAL AND REGIONAL CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS AND
COMMUNITIES IN GENERAL.
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On 1st August, with swords drawn, bayonets
fixed, drums beating, band playing and the
Army Banner flying, the Band marched proudly
down Baylis Street to exercise their right to
Freedom of Entry to the City of Wagga
Wagga. AAB-K was joined by past
members to participate
in and enjoy the
activities and
festivities of the
ceremony.
As well as being
granted Freedom to
the City, the band
has continued to
entertain audiences
in Wagga and
surrounding areas
of the Riverina
with its popular
AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND KAPOOKA 2009
The students work closely with the band whilst
gaining an insight into life as a member the
Australian Army Band Corps.
In August, AAB-K joined together
with instrumentalists from the Riverina
Conservatorium of Music and other regionally
based string players to perform for the first time
as a combined Riverina Symphony Orchestra.
For many of the members from the community,
this concert was the only opportunity they have
had to play in a full orchestra. The concert was
a huge success with the community and fulfilling
for the musicians involved and will no doubt
become a regular activity.
Kapooka Tragedy memorial service
‘Music at Midday’ series. As with many of the
band’s performances, the concerts assist in
raising funds for local charities.
In October, AAB-K will be joined by members
from the band of the Royal Military College to
participate in this year’s Kapooka Open Day.
Once again the band participated in the
‘Twilight by the Lagoon’ series at the Wollundry
Lagoon. This year’s performance featured
many of Wagga’s talented local artists as
well as individuals within the band. Families
enjoyed sitting under the stars while they were
entertained with music ranging from light opera
classics to some ‘Nude Boot Scooting’; there
was something to please all.
In addition to performing at numerous
community fundraising concerts, the band has
also been involved in entertaining and educating
children from local and regional schools.
AAB-K 2009
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Blamey Barracks will open the gates for the
public to gain an insight into Defence life. The
band will perform a marching display, the drum
corps will Beat Retreat and the performance
will conclude with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture,
complete with fireworks.
The year will close with our annual Christmas
Spectacular held at the music bowl at the
Botanical Garden, once again joined by some of
Wagga’s finest local talent.
2010 will be another busy year supporting ARTC
march out parades. The band is also intending
to expand their Music at Midday series to include
surrounding regional areas in the Riverina.
Major Jeff Cocks
OC/MD AAB-K
MELBOURNE 2009
THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND MELBOURNE (AAB-M) IS CO-LOCATED
WITH THE DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC (DFSM) AT SIMPSON
BARRACKS, MACLEOD. APPROXIMATELY FIFTY PERCENT OF THE
BAND’S WORK LOAD EACH YEAR IS INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING
THE DFSM, INCLUDING THE AT HOME AND TWILIGHT CONCERTS.
THIS YEAR HAS SEEN THE BAND ASSIST THE DFSM WITH THREE OF
THEIR TWILIGHT CONCERTS WHICH ARE HELD ON FRIDAY EVENINGS
STARTING AT 8PM ON THE OUTDOOR “HENDERSON BANDSTAND”.
THESE ARE VERY POPULAR AND ATTRACT A LARGE AUDIENCE
WHO ENJOY THE COMFORT OF BRINGING CHAIRS OR RUGS AND
PICNIC HAMPERS TO SETTLE IN FOR A GREAT NIGHT OF MUSICAL
ENTERTAINMENT OUTDOORS.
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The “At Home” series of concerts are run every
two to three weeks and are held in “Newman
Hall” which is the indoor auditorium where
the band rehearses. These occur on Friday
mornings commencing at 11.00am and run
for approximately one hour. Both Twilight and
At Home concerts are designed as training
exercises for the DFSM, they allow trainee
musicians to gain experience playing with
the band and for advanced courses such as
Assistant Band Leader or Band Officer to gain
experience conducting and acting as a compere
for the show. The support AAB-M provides is
vital to the DFSM in order for the trainee
conductors to experience as close to job
conditions as possible.
The band is also involved in a “Morning
Melodies” program where they travel to
different venues around Victoria. The idea
is to be able to bring the Army Band to
the wider community and give people
from regional areas the opportunity to
hear them play.
AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND MELBOURNE 2009
This year the band has performed in Bendigo,
Seymour, Colac, and Geelong and also around
Melbourne in places such as Moonee Ponds,
Dandenong and Frankston. The Big Band has
also been busy this year, with a number of
performances around Melbourne. Recently, they
performed at the Royal Melbourne Show and will
be doing a number of shows later on in the year.
In February, Victoria experienced the worst
bushfire season Australia had ever seen
which affected many people both deeply and
adversely. AAB-M wanted to do something to
help, especially as there were people very
close to the band who lost family
and homes.
The band headed off to Kinglake, which was
one of the worst areas hit by the bushfires, and
set up a stage on an oval to play music for the
locals, as well as the soldiers and emergency
personnel who were working so hard to help
deal with this terrible disaster. The Prime Minister,
Victorian Premier, and Police Commissioner were
all there to speak to troops and volunteers, and
see how everyone was coping.
There have been a number of funerals that
the band has provided musical support for, in
particular was the passing of the last VC winner
from World War II, Mr. Ted Kenna V.C, and also
the repatriation of remains of two Australian
soldiers whose bodies were recovered from the
battle fields in Vietnam. Sadly, The Army has
lost a number of soldiers in combat overseas in
places like Afghanistan and Iraq. The band has
been present to assist with the ramp ceremonies
at the Air Force Base in Laverton when the
soldiers have been returned home, and also
provided support for the State funerals.
Congratulations go to a number of the band’s
members who have recently been promoted.
Our 2IC Lieutenant Matt Chilmaid promoted
to Captain, Corporal Cameron Earl promoted
to Sergeant, Corporal Scott Cooper promoted
to Sergeant, Lance Corporal Nathan Tillman
promoted to Corporal, Musician Danny Dielkens
promoted to Lance Corporal and Musician Deb
Cotton promoted to Lance Corporal.
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Prime Minister Kevin Rudd speaking to troops and band at Kinglake
The band has a busy schedule coming up to the
end of the year, with a number of big Christmas
shows on the program. The highlight will be
the Knox Christmas Carols which is a huge
production and draws an audience of 15,000
people upwards.
Major Peter Grant
OC/MD AAB-M
CORPORAL SIMONE DEW
OFFICIAL RECORDING OF AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
AS PART OF THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE
IN GALLIPOLI IN 2005, I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE AFFORDED THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SING THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM. THIS WAS
ATTENDED BY MANY OFFICIAL GUEST INCLUDING PRINCE CHARLES, CDF GENERAL
PETER COSGROVE, THE PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND, AND THE PRIME MINISTER
OF AUSTRALIA THE HONOURABLE JOHN HOWARD.
As a result of this, in February 2006 I was
approached by the Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet to see if I was able to
participate in a recording of a new Audio-visual
presentation of the Australian National Anthem;
the aim of the project for Department of the
Prime Minister and Cabinet was to promote a
new version of the National Anthem to the wider
community of Australia by the end of 2006.
I was placed on a short list of 5 other vocalist
from Australia who be suitable. It was mentioned
to me by a member of staff from the Department
of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, that I was the
Prime Minister’s choice after he attended the
Dawn Service in Gallipoli 2005.
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After the decision had been made, I headed
off to Sydney with fellow band member
and corps photographer CPL Neil Reeves
to record the audio and visual version of the
Australian National Anthem. The composition of
the anthem was written by Australian musician
Christopher Gordon and the orchestra was made
up of Australian instrumentalists from around the
country. The recording took place at Fox Studios
in Sydney and the final product for the visual
recording was a combination of stunning images
of contemporary Australia with cameo inserts of
myself singing in Army Service Dress. It was a
fabulous experience and a great honour.
FROM DONALD CANT
FORMER AABC MEMBER
This was the first time I had sung popular music.
My training at university had been Opera. I had only
ventured into musicals with several productions of
Oklahoma in North America playing Curly, a role that
suited me vocally and physically.
Following “Army in Concert”, now, Major Bignell,
asked me to sing with the Band at many public
concerts, all of which I loved and looked forward to.
I also began to sing more popular music, learning
the technique required to do so.
One day I was picked up to rehearse with the band,
and the good Major asked me to have a coffee with
him after rehearsal. I said to him jokingly ... “Why
don’t you just sign me up full time and you wouldn’t
have to send a car for me”.
One week later he phoned and asked if I had been
serious, I said “No, but let’s talk”.
Two months later I was at Kapooka in “Basic
Training”. A shock to the system yes! But I soon learnt
about Australian camaraderie. My time at Kapooka
went very well, and put me in the best physical shape
of my life. My nickname there was “Tiny”. In my first
week the platoon Corporal called me up the hallway
and asked me how tall I was. I said, “6 ft. 5 inches
Corporal”. He said, “ I am 5 ft 7 inches, how tall
are you recruit Cant?”. I thought for 1 second and
responded “5 ft. 6 inches Corporal”. He then said
“that is right and don’t you ....... ever forget it.”
SOON AFTER ARRIVING IN AUSTRALIA IN 1979, A VERY
TALENTED SINGER, SOPRANO ROSEMARY BOYLE
INTRODUCED HERSELF TO ME AFTER A PERFORMANCE I
WAS IN. SHE THEN RECOMMENDED ME TO CAPTAIN BARRY
BIGNELL TO PERFORM WITH WHAT WAS WAS THEN THE
THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT BAND. AS LUCK WOULD HAVE
IT, SHORTLY AFTER THAT A SINGER CANCELLED AND I
STEPPED IN AND DID MY FIRST “ARMY IN CONCERT”.
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FROM DONALD CANT FORMER AABC MEMBER
Unfortunately behind the scenes, a few people
in the Band Corp were against me being hired.
They felt there should not be a full time singer
as is the tradition in the armed force bands in
North America. There was a concert in Wagga
while I was in basic training ... but the Conductor
would not have me perform in the concert. I knew
nothing about it at the time, but I was so focused
on my training that I really would not have wanted
to take time out to sing. I needed to “Get Fit”.
Once I was in the 3MD Band full time the other
bands did start to use me.... and why not! I was
being paid to sing and sing I did. I also learned to
play cymbals on the march. What fun that was. It
meant that I was able to “earn my keep” within the
band as well as generally being out front singing.
The other important thing I learned how to do was
to compere. It was a live or die situation. I just had
to do it. It turned out to be one of the best things
I learned during my time with the Army. It gave me
a stage persona ... one that came naturally as it
turned out - but I may never have known if I had
not had the opportunity. In recent years, from this
beginning, I have been able to compere and sing
at major Symphony concerts at the Sydney Opera
House Concert Hall and Hamer Hall in Melbourne,
as well as being very comfortable doing my “one
man” cabaret shows.
Compering also saved my career in the Army.
Major Jackson was to take over the band, and
he was not too sure about me and my position.
As luck would have it he came in to conduct some
concerts before he took over full time, and saw
me at work with the audiences. We became great
friends during his time with the band, and I have
great respect for him. He really kept up the excellent
standard that Major Bignell had set with the Band.
on “time off without pay” and Cameron Macintosh,
the producer of “Phantom”, let me have time
off for Army concerts. I don’t think that would
have happened anywhere else in the world. I did
“Phantom” for 7 years, performing the lead role
more than 500 times.
I have to say there were no musical directors I did
not respect and work well with. They all gave me
the time to do outside concert and theatre work
when it did not conflict with my Army duties. So
during my time with the Army I also began my
work with most of the Opera Companies and
Symphonies in Australia.
This did lead to a debate in Parliament when the
leader for the opposition questioned why the Army
was paying Donald Cant, at the same time as
Cameron Macintosh was paying him. Thankfully the
answer was an acceptable one – the Army was only
paying me when I performed with them.
I was also taken to Canada to perform at the
annual Tattoo, representing Australia in my birth
country. How many times has that happened! I
think that was another first, thanks to the Army.
Singing in the Bicentennial Tattoo in 1988 was
another highlight of my career in or out of the Army.
What an amazing year that was.
I also began working with most of the popular
singing stars in Australia, often at “Army in Concert”.
The one that was to have the biggest influence on
me was my association with Marina Prior. It was she
who talked me into auditioning for “The Phantom
of the Opera”. At the time it was pretty clear that
Anthony Warlow would be playing the lead, but
Marina said I should let the company hear me.
The rest, as they say “is history”. The Army could
not have made it any easier for me. They put me
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One night I was skipping “Phantom” curtain calls to
get to the Melbourne Concert Hall in time to do the
last spot in a charity concert that Tony Charlton was
using the Band for. As I was changing into my suit
back stage, one of the cast asked what I was singing
and the great actor, Jon Ewing, said with his unfailing
sense of humour ... “He is starring with “I, I Who
Have Nothing”..... and it’s down hill from there”.
The other thing I am most proud of is that I led the
way for others to follow as singers in the “Forces”
bands across Australia, many of whom I have sung
with since. The first was Simone Dew, with the
voice of an angel, and a great friend.
I have much to thank the Australian Army for, but in
particular it would be my concert career which has
taken me to all parts of the world. I will never forget
what my years with the Army Band taught me
and the life long friendships I have made.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
DARWIN 2009
The year started out looking as though it would
be considerably quieter than previous years with
AAB-D taking part in the Farwell Parade of over
1000 personnel being deployed on MRTF-1,
FCU-1, SECDET XIV, TLBG-V and SOTG 8-10.
With a large part of 1 Brigade being deployed,
AAB-D found time to focus on community events
as well as supporting the Navy, Air Force, and
the Police and Emergency Services.
WELL, AS 2009 QUICKLY DRAWS TO AN END, I FIND IT VERY SATISFYING
TO TAKE THE TIME TO REFLECT BACK ON THE LAST 12 MONTHS OF
TASKING FOR AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND DARWIN (AAB-D). BEING THE
ONLY SERVICE BAND IN THE TOP END, THAT HOLDS THE LARGEST
CONCENTRATION OF ADF PERSONNEL IN AUSTRALIA, 2009 HAS SEEN
AAB-D CONTINUE TO PROVIDE CEREMONIAL SUPPORT TO ALL LOCAL
ADF UNITS AS WELL AS THE DARWIN CITY COUNCIL AND NORTHERN
TERRITORY GOVERNMENT.
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On 19 February, the Bombing of Darwin
commemoration service is held at the cenotaph
on the esplanade overlooking Darwin harbour.
This year marked the 67th Anniversary which
featured the band very heavily throughout the
service. The release of the movie ‘Australia’ has
generated renewed interest in this service which
is now viewed by several thousand people on
the day. To hear stories on how close Australia
came to being invaded and to hear the Air Raid
siren sound before the re-enactment of the battle
makes the hair stand on the back of your neck
and sets a very emotional scene for the sounding
of the ‘Last Post’.
Although a long way from Darwin, we were all
touched and affected by the horror, devastation
and despair effecting everyday Australians during
the Victorian Bushfires. In late February, AAB-D
decided to ‘do our bit’ by holding a fundraising
AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND DARWIN 2009
concert at the Darwin showgrounds to aid in the
Appeal that assisted in raising over $12,500.
A traditional ‘must’ for the Australian Army Band
– Darwin over recent years, has become the
Kimberley Moon Experience (KME) concert, as
a part of the Argyle Diamonds ‘Ord Valley
Muster’. This hugely popular concert is staged
in Kununurra, Western Australia, which (rather
like Broken Hill to South Australia) considers
itself functionally, very much a part of the
Northern Territory.
Staged on the banks of the majestic Ord River
at the Jim Hughes Amphitheatre, the awardwinning concert attracts visitors from all over
Australia and overseas to picnic on the lawn,
take in the spectacular views and admire the
impressive water, light and fireworks displays.
The event normally attracts an audience well
in excess of 5000 ranging from the ‘corporate’
tuxedo dressed patrons, to the campers in
thongs. AAB-D has been supporting this event
for the last four years and has been a supporting
act for such performing artists as, Jimmy
Barnes, Kate Ceberano, Marcia Hines, Jessica
Mauboy and this year “The Hoodoo Gurus”.
Back in Darwin, the world famous ‘Mindil Beach
Markets’ were again on the AAB-D calendar.
From May through to October, the band’s
frequent presentations here continue to be the
musical focal point for what is a very busy venue.
At the most recent performance, the one hour’s
presentation included the iconic ‘Man from
Snowy River’. This crowd pleasing presentation
was performed by WO2 Geoff Carter (founding
member of AAB-D) decked out in the obligatory
Drizabone and Acubra.
In August AAB-D led the Welcome Home Parade
for members of the 1st Brigade returning from
an 8 month deployment. Darwin has always held
its Defence Force personnel in high regard, and
the City really turned out to honour them and
their work. That evening the AAB-D rock band
entertained the troops at a civic reception held at
Larrakeyah Barracks.
With the Brigades tempo slowing down, the
weather heating up and almost all soldiers back
in barracks, the trend for the remainder of the
year appears to be for all units to focus on some
quality family time. There has been a move
away from the traditional end of year regimental
dinners, with the majority of job requests
now being to support large and impressive
regimental/battalion balls. The continued
development of the AAB-D rock band has seen
it now becoming one of the most heavily tasked
ensembles within AAB-D. This ensemble is pretty
much booked for every weekend during Oct –
Nov supporting these tasks and playing dinner
and dance music well into the early hours.
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2010 is already looking as though it will continue
at very much the same tempo, with the talk
of Battalion colour parades and various
units warning us out about exercising their
Freedom of Entry through the streets of
Darwin already in the wind.
I would like to take this opportunity to
personally thank all the members of AAB-D
who, with out doubt, are the most heavily
tasked reserve band in the country for
defence requested tasks. With such a
small population to recruit from you all do
an amazing job and continue to give up
consecutive weekends over and over
again. Also a special mention should go
out to all the Music Directors of other
AABC bands who have supplied
AAB-D with over 30 TDY
personnel during 2009.
Your effort at juggling your
own tasks around major
parades in Darwin is very
much appreciated and I
hope that all members that
come up on duty go home
with fond memories
and great sun tans.
Captain David Bird
OC/MD AAB-D
PERTH 2009
There have been a number of ensembles
within the band that have provided musical
support throughout 2009. The Brass
Quintet has once again provided support
to many Army functions and corporate
occasions throughout Perth. This has
included providing direct support
for Regimental Dining-in nights and
events for 13th Brigade, SASR and
many other Army units and service
affiliated organisations within Perth.
LCPL David Scott
THIS YEAR SAW A COMPLETE CHANGE OF GUARD WITH THE ARRIVAL
OF ME AND WO2 HEMI ANNING. THIS IS MY FIRST POSTING AS MUSIC
DIRECTOR, AND I STARTED WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM TO MAINTAIN
THE FINE MUSICAL STANDING THAT THIS BAND HAS WITHIN WESTERN
AUSTRALIA. I HAVE EMBRACED WORKING WITH AN EXPERIENCED
GROUP OF MUSICIANS AND WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE
AN OUTSTANDING MUSICAL CAPABILITY WITHIN THE CORPS.
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The AAB-P Big Band has seen an
increase in events over the course
of 2009. The most prominent being our
regular commute to Karratha for the annual
Pilbara Regiment Ball. The ball sees up to
600 Army and local guests from around
the Pilbara, making it one of the highlights
of the year for the Regiment and the Band.
Another major event was this year was the
Legacy concert featuring Normie Rowe,
Johnny Young and the AAB-P Big Band.
This event raised around five thousand
dollars for Legacy with Normie praising the
band for its professionalism.
AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND PERTH 2009
Other successful concerts for the Big Band
throughout the year were the 11/28 Ball,
Metro Sea Rescue Ball, WAUR Graduation
Ball, Fremantle Town Hall Ball and the Legacy
Ball fundraiser. These events have seen the
Band entertain various Army personnel and
Perth socialites and on a number of occasions
helping to provide valuable funds for charitable
organisations.
We also have a very valuable member of the
band who has served the wider community of
Perth and its surrounds as a bugler. LCPL David
Scott covers many bugle calls from dignitaries’
funerals to memorial gatherings making him
our Band mascot. LCPL Scott has gained
a valuable reputation for himself and
the Band over the years.
AAB-P also has a reputable Concert Band,
which first performed at the Hyde Park Fair. It
was a wonderful event with a great atmosphere,
and a great way to start the year to “dust off
those cobwebs.”
As with all Service Bands, ANZAC Day saw the
band in full swing travelling to Kalbarri this year
to provide services to the ex-service personnel
in the north of Western Australia. The people
of Kalbarri were extremely appreciative and
expressed how happy they were to have the
band present for their ANZAC Day
parade and service.
The band also performs regularly in
the Government House Ballroom.
It is an excellent opportunity for
us to display our Concert Band
repertoire and showcase our
very talented vocalists
and musicians.
On the Band’s annual camp in July,
we performed for the children of
Princess Margaret Hospital; this was
a moving experience for all within the
Band. We all enjoyed entertaining the
children and their families.
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One of our most recent concerts outside of
Perth was the Geraldton Sunshine Festival where
the Concert Band played to the local audience
and various visitors to the festival. Other major
concerts this year have been the Personal
Advocacy Services concert, Narrogin Spring
Festival concert and we are all looking forward
to the annual Carols by Candlelight at the
Scarborough Clocktower in December.
The AABP Marching Band has provided support
to Army units for various events, as well as
participating in street marches in Geraldton
and Narrogin.
In 2010 we will continue to provide a valuable
musical service to the Army and community of
Western Australia. The highlight for the band
next year will be the 100th Anniversary Concert
of the Army Museum of Western Australia at
the Perth Concert Hall. This will be a large scale
concert with guest artist Marina Prior, ensuring a
repertoire to satisfy all tastes.
Captain Daniel Riek
OC/MD AAB-P
ADELAIDE 2009
AAB-A Attracts Quality Recruits
LEGACY LIFESTYLE VILLAGE CONCERT SERIES
WITH THE SUCCESS OF TWO ARMY IN CONCERTS IN 2006 AND 2008,
AAB-A WANTED TO MAKE AN ONGOING COMMITMENT TO RAISE FUNDS
AND ALSO PROMOTE THE GREAT WORK OF LEGACY WITHIN SA. FROM
THIS THE LEGACY LIFESTYLE VILLAGE CONCERT SERIES WAS BORN.
THE CONCEPT ENCOMPASSED A SERIES OF 5 CONCERTS PERFORMED
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT LIFESTYLE VILLAGES ACROSS SA,
RAISING OVER $3000 AND GAINING STANDING OVATIONS
ALONG THE WAY. THIS SERIES WILL CULMINATE IN A
MAJOR FUNDRAISING CONCERT FOR LEGACY AT THE
ADELAIDE TOWN HALL AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
WITH THE SUCCESS OF THIS YEAR’S SERIES,
IT WILL NOW BECOME A REGULAR EVENT
ON THE BAND’S CALENDAR.
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As a result of performing at some of Adelaide’s
elite music schools, combined concerts with the
schools have seen recruiting numbers at AAB-A
grow. In addition to the wave of school leavers
we are attracting, we have been fortunate to
attract some quality mature-age recruits in
the past six months. With a combined
total of over 100 years of musical
experience, these players have
not only raised the standard
of performance, but have
depth to
added breadth and
an already
accomplished
unit of musicians.
With Richie Robinson,
an accomplished guitarist
who regularly performs
around Adelaide; Paul Jankovic,
one of Adelaide’s most sought-after
bass players; Matt MacDonald, a fulltime saxophonist with the Band of the South
Australia Police; Glenn Mears, flautist and
Head of Music at Victor Harbor High School,
and Doug Monks, bringing fourteen years of
experience in military bands in the UK, AAB-A
have some quality musicians joining.
AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND ADELAIDE 2009
2009 Major Performances
Performances this year have included
Government House Open Day, Freedom of
Entry Parades for both 16 AD Regiment and 9
CSSB, Legacy Remembers Concert, Ardrossan
Community Fundraising Concert and the very
successful Proms Concert with two sell-out
performances at the Adelaide Town Hall just
to name a few. AAB-A have also been very
active in supporting SA Charities this year.
Performances by the band have assisted in
raising thousands of dollars for many not-forprofit organisations including Legacy, Frontier
Services, Ardrossan Repatriation Hospital, The
Rotary Clubs of Henley and Grange and Unley,
and The Guide Dogs Association.
year. I take my hat off to each member of the
unit, and offer them my humble thanks for a very
enjoyable and successful 2009.
Snapshot of 2010
2010 is shaping up to be a very exciting year.
The year will commence with Australia Day
Celebrations at the historic Fort Glanville with
the Governor of SA, Historical re-enactments,
and a crowd of over 500 people all enjoying the
very Australian delicacy, lamingtons! As well as
Balancing a Full-time Career
as a Reserve Musician
Managing a Reserve Band I am continually
humbled by the dedication of the members of
the band. To balance a full time career with a
commitment to Army Reserve Service is no easy
task. Members must balance work and family
time, and often sacrifice time off on weekends
and public holidays to perform with the band.
Their love of music and commitment to the
band shows through in the high standards
they continually maintain in performances,
and the consistently high attendance rates we
experience at band engagements during the
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supporting the many Defence Organisations and
Units throughout SA, we will also be supporting
the Women’s and Children’s Hospital with a major
fundraising concert, the Legacy Club of SA – with
a new Lifestyle Village Concert Series – 2010, the
Rotary Club of Henley and Grange and the Guide
Dogs Association of SA. With the influx of new
musicians, it is again set to be an exciting year.
Captain Dean Griffiths
OC/MD AAB-A
TASMANIA 2009
Victorian Bushfire Relief Concert
With the devastating fires in Victoria at the
commencement of 2009, the AAB-T and the
RANBAND DET TAS organised a Bushfire Relief
Concert performed in the Hobart City Hall. The
concert was underwritten by Hobart RSL and
all major civilian organisations in the Hobart
area supported their time and resources to this
event. The Lord Mayor of Hobart; Alderman Rob
Valentine opened the concert. Local ABC Radio
identities Mr Tim Cox and Ms Annie Warburton
compared the show. Guest vocalists included
two well known artists from Tasmania; Mr Andrew
Colrain and Mr Jeff Michel. All performers in the
show gave their time freely for the performance.
The finale of the concert was a rendition of ’I
am Australian’, which was dedicated to Major
Graham Lloyd and the sad loss of his son Greg to
the Victorian Bushfires. The Australian Army Band
Tasmania donated their Army Reserve Training
Salary for this concert.
ROYAL HOBART REGATTA CONCERT
THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND TASMANIA (AAB-T) HAS BEEN HEAVILY
TASKED DURING 2009. THE YEAR BEGAN WITH OUR MOST SIGNIFICANT
ACTIVITY, THE ROYAL HOBART REGATTA CONCERT WITH THE FINALE BEING
A PERFORMANCE OF THE 1812 OVERTURE. THE OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE
OF THIS PERFORMANCE WAS 6,000 PEOPLE BOTH ON LAND AND SEA.
THE AAB-T COMBINED ITS MUSICAL TALENTS WITH THE TASMANIAN
DETACHMENT OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND (RANBAND DET
TAS). THE PROGRAM WAS A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO ALL AUSTRALIAN
DEFENCE FORCE PERSONNEL WHO HAVE SERVED THIS COUNTRY IN ALL
MAJOR CONFLICTS SINCE THE TURN OF THE LAST CENTURY.
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St. David’s Cathedral Concert
Once again the AAB-T performed its biannual
‘Tune Up at Two’ concerts at the beautiful St.
David’s Cathedral in Hobart. Both concerts were
well supported and very successful, raising funds
for Hobart Legacy. The concert was reviewed by
Ms Elizabeth Ruthven of the Hobart Mercury. Her
comments of the concert were; ‘An enthusiastic
audience enjoyed a diverse program, proving
the band’s capability in playing sophisticated
arrangements of classical works, stirring military
marches and popular songs’.
AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND TASMANIA 2009
Reserve Forces Day Concert
In July, the AAB-T and musicians from the
RANBAND DET TAS supported the Reserve
Forces Council of Tasmania in a concert as
part of the councils ‘Certificate of Appreciation
Ceremony’. All Tasmanian reserve members
who had served overseas or supported the
Victorian Bushfires were presented with an
‘Appreciation Certificate’ signed by the Governor
of Tasmania. The concert was dedicated to
the thirteen soldiers from Tasmania who were
awarded the Victoria Cross. The concert was
reviewed by Mr Peter Donnelly of the Hobart
Mercury. His comments were; ‘The entry of
the official party featured fanfare trumpets and
trombones in the spectacular Preobrajensky
Processional March. The playing of the band was
first class throughout the program. The concert
also offered some distinguished solo vocal and
instrumental turns.’
Concert tour of Burnie
During the unit’s annual camp we travelled to
the north – east of the island and performed in
the coastal town of Burnie. We were invited by
the Burnie Council to perform for their annual
Burnie Shines Festival which brings performers
from all over the island and the mainland to
perform during the month of October. Our main
performance was at the Burnie Park Sound
Shell on a Saturday afternoon, followed by
a performance for a charity event in support
of children with disabilities. Both events were
very successful. Whilst we were in Burnie we
performed two school concerts, one at Marist
College and the other at Parklands High School.
The concerts were very much appreciated by
both the students and their teachers. Both
schools had a robust music program in place.
the Defence Reserve Support Council. The
AAB-T Big Band also performed at Wrest Point
Entertainment Centre in 2009.
Noteworthy performances in 2009
2009 has seen Musician Dave Hay
deployed to the Solomon Islands as
an AABC sound technician in
support of OP ANODE and
Corporal Keiron Foley
as a member of the
Australian Army Band
Corps Contingent that performed at Gallipoli.
It is great to see reservists being selected
for these prestigious international gigs along
side our regular AABC musicians.
The unit has also been involved with many charity
concerts in 2009 including Hobart Legacy,
Mothers Day Classic – fundraising for National
Breast Cancer Foundation and Kids with Cancer
Foundation. Other performances during 2009
have been for National Seniors Week, Oatlands
Spring Festival which around 5,000 people
were in attendance, a visit to the North - East
of Tasmania to St. Helens, providing the local
community with a Christmas Concert and playing
at the Southern Football League AFL Grand Final.
Ceremonial activities
Ceremonial activities during 2009 included a
Banner Parade for Air Force Cadets which was
reviewed by the Chief of Air Force, ANZAC Day
Dawn Service, Street Parade and Remembrance
Service, Remembrance Day and the official
opening of the Royal Hobart Show by the Governor
of Tasmania supported by the Australian Federation
Guard. This unit also provided bugler support to
the many military associations in Tasmania.
Small ensembles
The Woodwind and Brass Quintets have kept
up a solid pace in 2009 supporting all military
messes, military associations in Tasmania and
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Personnel activities
Overview of 2010
Once again the Royal Hobart Regatta
Committee has invited the AAB-T in
conjunction with the RANBAND DET TAS to
perform the concert finale at next February’s
Royal Hobart Regatta Concert.
The first St. David’s Cathedral Concert
will be conducted in May 2010. All other
taskings for 2010 has been suspended
due to this unit’s inability to provide Army
Reserve Training Days for the musicians up
to 30 June 2010.
Captain Christopher Martin
OC/MD AAB-T
CHRISTOPHER LUKE
From March 1990 to March 2000 I served in the Australian Army Band Corps
Since leaving the AABC, I have established a career
and the annual St Mark’s Concert Series. In 2005 we
FROM MARCH 1990 TO
as a clarinet player with postings
to
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of
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Royal
Military
College,
in the areas of music From
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2000 I served
in the Australian
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MARCH 2000 I SERVED
with also
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lead
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Duntroon, the Australian Army
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as a clarinet player with postings to The Band of the Royal Military College, in 2006.
IN THE AUSTRALIAN
of church music for choir
and solo
works for Army
the pipe
Duntroon,
the Australian
Band Kapooka and the Defence Force School
of Music as an Instructor. Although
I was
track
forin promotion
to Sergeant,
Playing for over 1100 services at
organ. Not long
afteron
I had
handed
my discharge
ARMY BAND CORPS AS A
of
Music
as an Instructor.
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St Mark’s, and singing for over 1600
form,
I was approached
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to say WITH
that it was the
thought
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say
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services
St Paul’s
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at my old school, Mentone
to consider
saw meGrammar,
hand in my
discharge form! Having
saidatthat,
I certainly
have me
no to
saw
me
hand
in
my
discharge
form!
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said
that,
I
certainly
have
no
a
deep
understanding
of
liturgy
POSTINGS TO THE BAND
about
enlisting; itinwas a fantastic 10 years! The friendships that and
I
taking on the positionregrets
of Head
of Woodwind
the
role
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plays within it. Today
formed
whilst
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still
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today.
regrets
about
enlisting;
it
was
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10
years!
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friendships
that
I
the
Music
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OF THE ROYAL MILITARY
I find myself fighting the worthy
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dear
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liturgy
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Since
leaving
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I
have
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in the
areasand
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my leave entitlements before discharge, I was able
within
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Church;
there
education
and
church
music
with
also
some
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of
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music
for is
THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY
to start at Mentone at the beginning of the 2000
still
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year. At virtuallyathecareer
same time,
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AABC, I have
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in I the
up the post of Organist and Director of Music at St
In October
2008,
I was
offered
the position of
DEFENCE
SCHOOL
Not long
after Iarea
had handed
in my discharge form, Ichurch
was approached
by the
Director
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at my
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with also
some success
in Anglican
the
of composition
music
for
Mark’s
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MUSIC
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with the Choir at St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne.
choir andOF
solo
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ALTHOUGH I WAS ON TRACK FOR
music
education,
entitlements
before
discharge,
I was able
to start at Mentone atdevelopment
the beginning of the
2000
academic and educational
St Mark’s had
recently
completed
a 10-year
year.
administration,
this
was
a
wonderful opportunity for
PROMOTION TO SERGEANT, I HAVE TO
project of which the final part was the
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I
was
approached
by
the
Director
of
Music
at
my
me
to
take.
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did,
of
course,
mean leaving my home
installation of a redundant pipe organ from Cowley
SAY THAT IT WAS THE THOUGHT OF
At
virtually
the
same
time,
I
took
up
the
post
of
Organist
and
Director
of
Music
at
St
Mark’s
Anglican
city
of
Melbourne
and
all
that
I was doing at St Mark’s.
old school, Mentone Grammar, to consider taking on
the position
of1938
Head
of Woodwind
in Oxfordshire,
UK. The
Harrison
& Harrison in the Music
Church, Fitzroy along with singing with the Choir at St Paul’s Cathedral,
Melbourne.
BEING POSTED BACK TO KAPOOKA
But
the
promotion
and
the
chance
for my family to
organ
is the
organ
of its type
Australia,
and
Department. This was too good an opportunity for
me
toonly
turn
down,
so inwhilst
clearing
my
leave
live
in
Tasmania
(my
wife,
Amelia,
is
THAT SAW ME HAND IN MY DISCHARGE
I was
veryhad
proud
to be completed a 10-year restoration project of originally from
St
Mark’s
recently
Launceston) was an opportunity that we had to take.
entitlements
before discharge, I was able to start at Mentone at the beginning
of the
2000
academic
the first
of itthe
in installation
FORM! HAVING SAID THAT, I CERTAINLY
which
thecustodian
final part was
of a redundant pipe organ from
Australia.
The significance
year.
Cowley
in
Oxfordshire,
UK.
The
1938
Harrison
& Harrison
is the
I shall be very
pleasedorgan
to hear
from any current
HAVE NO REGRETS ABOUT ENLISTING;
of the
instrument
allowed
only
organ
of its type
in Australia, or
andex-serving
I was very members
proud to be
the
of thefirst
AABC
IT WAS A FANTASTIC 10 YEARS! THE
for a complete
custodian
of it inrestructure
Australia. The significance
of the instrument allowed
Christopher.Luke@hutchins.tas.edu.au
of
music
at
St
Mark’s,
and
for
a
complete
restructure
of
music
at
St
Mark’s,
and I was able to
At virtually
the
same
time,
I
took
up
the
post
of
Organist
and
Director
of
Music
at
St
Mark’s
Anglican
FRIENDSHIPS THAT I FORMED WHILST
I was able
establish
thetoStestablish
Mark’s Choral Scholarship Programme and the annual
Church, Fitzroy
singing
withI STILL
the Choir at St Paul’s Cathedral,
Melbourne.
IN THE along
AABC with
ARE ONES
THAT
St
Concert
Series. In 2005 we successfully launched our first
theMark’s
St Mark’s
Choral
compact
disc recording,
which lead to a second recording in 2006.
Scholarship
Programme
HOLD DEAR TODAY.
St Mark’s had recently
a 10-year
restoration
Playingcompleted
for over 1100 services
at St Mark’s,
and singing for project
over 1600 of
services
at installation
St Paul’s exposed
me a
toredundant
a deep
liturgy and
exitunderstanding
 36
which the final part was
thecontents
of
pipeoforgan
from
the role music plays within it. Today I find myself fighting the worthy
NEWCASTLE 2009
The year commenced with the usual Australia
Day activities where the band performed on the
Cultural Stage just after the belly dancers. This
provided an instant audience that continued to
grow as we performed a variety of national music
and music by Australian entertainers.
Members of the
AAB-N Stage Band
with the Woodwind
Quintet at the
Singleton Army Ball
in support of Legacy
THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND NEWCASTLE (AAB-N) HAS
ENGAGED THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE HUNTER
REGION WITH VARIOUS TASKS IN 2009. THE BAND IS
STILL SEEN AS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO THE
LOCAL COMMUNITY AND IS WELL SUPPORTED.
AAB-N COMMENCED A NEW CHAPTER IN 2009
WITH NEW APPOINTMENTS OF OC/MD (CAPT
STEVE BUTTON) AND BSM (SGT MICK BEETON). FOR THE
BSM, IT WAS A RETURN TO WHERE IT ALL STARTED AND FOR
CAPT BUTTON; IT WAS HIS FIRST APPOINTMENT OF COMMAND.
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Early in the year it was decided to incorporate
the Band and Pipes on major public ceremonial
activities. This preparation was worth the effort
and one such occasion was when AAB-N and
RACT Pipes and Drums presented a marching
display as part of the Newcastle Show with the
Federation Guard. General Cosgrove (Ret’d),
AC, MC reviewed the parade and took time to
chat with WO2 Dave Walker (Euphonium)
who is currently in his 47th year of service.
AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND NEWCASTLE 2009
The Band has continued to provide a variety of
performances that have included many different
ensembles within the unit. Apart from the usual
community activities, veteran and association
parades and dinners, AAB-N was honoured to
be part of the Repatriation Ceremony Funeral
Service of CPL Matthew Hopkins. The Band
received great recognition by the Brigade
Commander and RSM of 1 BDE. The effort at
short notice was appreciated by all.
ANZAC Day came and went without the Band
getting wet. Recent years have not been
good with the weather and have left most in
attendance well and truly baptised. This year
presented a beautiful sunrise over Nobbies
Beach and the sounds of Gallipoli could be
heard as the sun rose from the ocean. It is
quite eerie performing at a Dawn Service on the
beach. It makes it more realistic and certainly
creates additional emotions on the day.
Reserve Forces Day again provided a different
opportunity to provide support to both
Newcastle and Sydney. Both AAB-N and RACT
Pipes and Drums marched to Fort Scratchley
where the parade was well received. Sydney
this year requested mass band support in the
Domain instead of marching through the city
streets. AAB-N combined with personnel from
AAB-S, 1/15 RNSWL, UNSWR and RACT Pipes
and Drums. This was a great opportunity to
meet with other Reserve musicians from Sydney
and it would seem this was so successful they
want to do it again in 2010.
The personnel within AAB-N have remained
positive even though we have farewelled
a number of people as they have taken
up the opportunity to transfer to full
time positions with the AABC. We
congratulate MUSNs Gabby Mears
(Tuba – RMC Band), Dave Wood
(Trumpet – AAB-B) and Barney
Briggs (Bass Guitar – 1 RAR Band).
There are others that want to
make this happen shortly, so we
are about to start an Honour
Board for all that have made
the journey across to full time
positions. AAB-N has been
a rich resource to AABC full
time Bands and hopefully
we can maintain our
position on the map
as we represent Army in
our local community.
AAB-N is about to embark on its annual camp
which will include performances in Coffs
Harbour, Port Macquarie and Newcastle.
The Band intends to culminate the year with
a performance at the Hunter Valley Christmas
spectacular where the crowd is expected to be
close to 10,000.
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ROYAL AUSTRALIAN
CORPS OF TRANSPORT
PIPES AND DRUMS
The Royal Australian Corps of Transport Pipes
and Drums (RACT PDs) this year has been
fortunate to have direct support from MUSN
Adam Cameron-Taylor as a full time mentor.
The decision by CA to only have an ARes Pipe
Band capability has required a greater attention
to detail and capability. For many years RACT
PDs have been supported by AAB-N. To have
someone who knows the local area (Adam is
from Newcastle) and is respected amongst the
local Pipe and Army communities as a Piper, has
AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND NEWCASTLE 2009
been very beneficial. MUSN Cameron-Taylor
has taken a personal interest in developing a
professional attitude about their performance
requirements and has enhanced Army’s image
and credibility.
The east coast of Australia is rich with many
Scottish and Celtic Festivals. These are
predominantly competition based, but RACT
PDs have been able to provide support to
these activities as guests which has provided
awareness that Army still has a Pipe Band
capability. These displays have provided
general interest for recruiting and have forged a
relationship throughout the piping community as
a reminder that we still exist.
RACT PDs have performed with AAB-N at
concerts and ceremonial parades. Army Pipe
Bands still remain a force to reckon with and
have been popular with local units for their
activities. The Pipes and Drums have performed
in Sydney and the Hunter and have just returned
from the RACT Corps Conference in Bandiana.
The debate continues about its future, but those
that remain just want to play their Pipes and
Drums and be looked after by Army.
This year, RACT PDs farewelled one of its own –
LCPL John ‘Jack’ Gilbert was a Tenor Drummer
and completed nearly 35 years service here in
Newcastle. Jack was a proud member of the
unit and was not happy just being in one area of
service to the community,
Jack was also an
ambulance driver and
a member of the local
Rural Fire Brigade.
It was too hard for
those at home to work
out which Service was
requiring his support,
so he was affectionately
known as ‘Jack’ to
his mates when the
Army was calling. Jack
had retired from the
Ambulance and the Fire
Services, but his beloved
Pipes and Drums was
LCPL Jack Gilbert
Service from 29 October 1974
the last on his list. Jack
to 12 June 2009
wanted to serve 35
years before discharging and unfortunately, just
missed out and passed away in June this year.
The Drummers presented a Drum Tattoo as
Jack passed through the Guard of Honour at the
Church. Our thoughts remain with his family.
year where members have performed on Small
Pipes, supported by members of AAB-N on
Guitar and Bodhran. This has provided a more
intimate performance at Mess Dinners where the
traditional Pipes can be a bit loud.
The remainder of the year will see the
preparation of the trade transfers for all Pipers/
Drummers to their new Employment Category,
local parade for units at Bullecourt Barracks and
finally the local Cadet Unit.
As is evidenced above, the Pipes and Drums
have remained busy throughout the year and look
forward to consolidating their efforts next year.
CAPT Steve Button
OC/MD AAB-N
One of the exciting elements within RACT
Pipes and Drums is its diversity and ability to
remain effective, even when the odds have
been stacked against them. All members have
seen many changes throughout time, but still
remain positive about their contribution to Army.
Smaller groups have been encouraged this
Royal Australian Corps of Transport Pipes and Drums
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THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND CORPS
– A FORTY YEAR RETROSPECTIVE
BY LIEUTENANT COLONEL TONY SILLCOCK CSC RETD
I WRITE THIS ARTICLE AS A RECOLLECTION NOT AS HISTORY, BECAUSE HISTORY CAN ONLY BE WRITTEN BY THOSE
WHO HAVE ORIGINAL SOURCES AND DETAILED DIARIES TO SUPPORT MEMORY. IT DOES REFLECT MY PERSPECTIVE
OF THE ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE AABC AND SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT INFLUENCED ITS DEVELOPMENT.
On the 2nd of August 1968 the Australian Army
Band Corps was established. On that day, I was
in the last two months of my two year National
Service commitment. My Army future was far from
decided as I planned to consider a few options on
return to Australia. At the time the creation of the
AABC was not an event of great significance for
me personally, that I can recall. Being very junior in
service and rank, and serving in an infantry battalion
overseas, the workings of the senior leadership
were far beyond my concern or understanding.
I had seen the Director of Music, Lieutenant
Colonel Reg Newman, before 8 RAR left Brisbane
for Malaysia in 1967. I recall him as an older man
who was proudly using one of the new leather
music folders as a briefcase and had us play an
arrangement of ‘Three Little Pigs’ combined with
a Vietnamese tune as a possible regimental march
for 7 RAR. He may also have shared his vision of
a corps of musicians for the following year, but if
he did it didn’t rate in importance with compelling
issues like how many ‘singlies’ could get to town in
Neil Plumridge’s Ford Customline.
The reality of the establishment of the AABC in 1968
was that we were withdrawn from our company
medical role to become rear detail duty personnel
during exercises. The 24 hour on-24 hour off guards
and other duties, with some band work in our
‘spare’ time was not really an attractive option.
It was several years later when corps
embellishments started to be issued that the sense
of belonging to a corps of musicians began to be
felt. It was probably even longer before the wisdom
of creating such a specialist corps became obvious
and the AABC began to gain some credibility
within the Army.
The process was not helped by the AABC
having no operational role from the time of its
establishment, except for a nebulous view that we
‘played music in peace and in war’. The operational
part of that view remained untested until RMC
Band deployed to Bougainville in 1998. This was
partly because the operational tempo was low and
deployment opportunities were few after Vietnam.
The commitment by Australia to UN missions to
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such locations as Namibia and Cambodia generally
involved specialist personnel like engineers and
signallers while other nations provided infantry and
in at least one instance pipes and drums.
During those years the professional standards
of AABC musicians gradually developed. The
conversion to military bands and the phasing out of
brass bands offered much greater opportunities for
performers and expanded the available repertoire.
Gradually woodwind players were recruited and
replaced many of the brass players who had
volunteered to assist the conversion by taking up
woodwind instruments.
While some good work was done beforehand,
it was the late 1970s and 1980s that saw, in my
opinion, the greatest advances in the standards
displayed by AABC bands. There were many
contributing factors, not least the competence
shown by graduating trainees of those days, the
influence of those selected to train overseas, the
enlistment of many professional quality performers
and a generally greater interest and determination
to improve ourselves professionally.
THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND CORPS – A FORTY YEAR RETROSPECTIVE
I would not wish to single out individuals because
so many played a part, so to speak, but we can all
recall those special people who influenced us so
much individually and collectively, personally and
professionally and to them we owe a great debt
of gratitude.
There continued to be an uneasy relationship
between ‘the soldier’ and ‘the musician’. While it
can be argued that the qualities of both are similar,
the need to undertake ‘military’ activities and to
accept postings remained a potential disincentive
for many of the best musicians to join the AABC.
It probably remains the case today. In my time as
Director it was a constant balancing act to serve
the Army as employer and trying to meet the needs
and expectations of those who were providing such
an outstanding product for the Army.
There was always a view in some quarters that
bands could be simply ‘picked up and plugged
in’ when required and otherwise only took up
manpower positions that could be more usefully
occupied by ‘sharp end’ troops. Fortunately the
more general and enlightened view was that there
was enormous value to be gained by the Army
from bands in their role both in support to the
Army and in the wider community. The return in
positive corporate image and support for recruiting
represented very good value on the relatively small
investment involved.
The return of bands to supporting operations has
greatly enhanced their standing within the Army.
The opportunities to spend time in areas where
troops are deployed under dangerous and trying
conditions are greatly appreciated by those troops
and should be seen as a privilege for all musicians.
The success of these deployments owes much to
the skill and versatility of current AABC personnel.
Their ability to perform with the best of the music
industry reflects great credit not only on themselves
but on the organisation that supports them.
The employment and structure of the AABC and
its bands has seen major changes over the years.
From the Infantry Special List regimental bands to
the great days of the 50 strong military bands and
through the trauma of manpower reductions, the
corps has continually adapted to change. It has
done so while constantly developing and improving
skills and continuing to display the dedicated
commitment and professionalism that has seen the
AABC establish the proud traditions and status it
enjoys as it celebrates its 40th anniversary.
I have been very fortunate to have been a member
of the AABC from its inception and to have had
the privilege and honour of serving as the Corps
director in my later years. My time with the corps
has given me some wonderful experiences and
memories and many great friends.
I congratulate the AABC on its 40 years of service
to the Army and wish the corps and its members
continued success for many years to come.
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41
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Author bio notes:
Lieutenant Colonel Tony Sillcock CSC Retd served
in Regular Army bands for 34 years, the final
13 years as Director of Music – Army.
He enlisted in 1966 as a National Serviceman and
after completing basic training at 2 RTB and the
Army School of Music was posted to 8 RAR Band
and served in Malaysia. On completion of National
Service he enlisted in the ARA and had postings to
several bands and administrative and instructional
positions at the Army School of Music. He later
commanded the Defence Force School of Music.
He was appointed Director of Music – Army in
December 1986.
Career highlights have included commanding the
150 member Australian tri-Service band at the 1987
Royal Tournament in London, being responsible
for music and ceremonial aspects of the 75th
anniversary pilgrimage to Gallipoli, commanding the
Army and RAN contingent to the 1991 International
Tattoo in Nova Scotia, Canada and being involved
in the organisation and conduct of several high
profile events in Australia such as the opening of
Parliament House in 1988 and the Entombment of
the Unknown Australian Soldier in 1994.
In 1997 he was awarded the Conspicuous Service
Cross for his service.
He remains active in community music and is
a Life Member of the AABC Association.
ASSOCIATION 2009
FOUNDED: 10 JUNE 1989
PATRON: BRIGADIER J.J. SHELTON DSO MC
THE ASSOCIATION HAS HAD ANOTHER
VERY GOOD YEAR WITH A GREAT TURNOUT FOR OUR ANNUAL REUNION IN JUNE
AND EXCELLENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO
OUR NOTEWORTHY NEWSLETTER AND
WWW.AABCASSOCIATION.COM.AU
Our organisation now:
The Committee remains unchanged from last
year with Peter Guest, Bill Honter and Neville
Lloyd continuing to serve. The Executive saw
only one change. Ian Milne stepped down (work
commitments) from the Executive and Kevin Noon
readily accepted nomination as Secretary.
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
President – Bob Keatch
Vice President – Pat Steer
Secretary – Kevin Noon
Treasurer – Jim Harper
Peter Guest
Bill Honter
Neville Lloyd
CHAPLAIN
NOTEWORTHY and
WEBSITE
Dennis Hills
SSGT Stuart Colhoun
UNIT ASSOCIATION REPS
AABA – WO2 Pretterhofer
AABB – SGT Pilgrim
AABD – WO2 Carter
AABK – CPL Davies
AABM – CPL Fawcett
AABN – SSGT Scott
To further develop strong links between serving
soldier musicians and our association we
established a network of AABC Reps this year.
Our Reps have been asked to provide Newsletter
and Website information to Stu Colhoun on their
unit’s activity and any other newsworthy items.
AABP – WO2 Anning
AABS – CPL Neilsen
AABT – CPL Harbod
DFSM – MAJ McMahon
1 RAR – LCPL Walsh
RMC Band – SGT Reynolds
All serving Soldier Musicians are recognised members of the AABCAssn
Several Serving Soldiers and 310 retired Soldier Musician contribute an
annual fee for membership ($25.). This is our sole source of income.
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42
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AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND CORPS ASSOCIATION
2010 REUNION
Our reunions have developed into excellent
social occasions but also great opportunities
to gather informed opinion over DVA and other
Transition into Civilian life matters affecting
service personnel. We are not an Advocacy
body however, several of our members are well
informed and very able to help direct on an
ad-hoc basis.
25 to 27 June 2010 are the dates set aside
for our next Reunion and AGM. This is to be
held in Darwin and all members are asked
to make the effort to attend, if you can.
Darwin turns on excellent weather in June
and our weekend follows the V8 Supercars
on the previous weekend, so a good excuse
to holiday there for a change from wintery
southern states. Please check the website
and our next couple of NOTEWORTHY’S
for more information but try to make your
intention to attend known early to Geoff
Carter geoffcarter7@bigpond.com in
Darwin for his planning. Best to book early
and ensure good accommodation and no
drama with travel arrangements.
The Association provides two prizes at DFSM
and the BRUCE PINNEY AWARD which is
announced annually during the AGM. This
award is “to a member of the AABC, up to the
rank of Corporal (from 2010 onwards), whose
achievements have significantly contributed to
the operational effectiveness of the AABC, the
morale and esprit-decorps of its members and
enhanced the status of
the AABC within the Army
and the wider community.”
This year the winner was
SGT Mick Lee.
The Memorial to soldier-musicians lost in wars,
has recently received some attention to the
plants and the lighting has been improved.
We are grateful
to MAJ Andrea
McMahon and the
Corps/DFSM RSM,
WO1 Ian Thompson
for their ongoing
help and support
with the monument.
AABCAssn Committee and Executive members Ian Milne,
 Bob Keatch, Jim Harper, Neville Lloyd, Kevin Noon and Bill
Honter attend the Unveiling and Blessing of our Soldier
Musician monument on 28 November 2008.
We remain concerned about the wellbeing of
AABC members with shortages of musicians
and the threat of cut-backs once again.
Bob Keatch
CPL Marcus McCray, MUSN Ben Bonney and MUSN
 Bernard Winetroube with SGT Mick Lee and MUSN Grant
Thomas out of shot, provide background ‘sounds’ during
the Saturday Night Dinner for the Townsville Reunion at
the RSL Club.
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AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND CORPS

Transcription

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