Mr Wally Hickmott, of Cardinia, is the prime mover and he has been greatly encouraged by promises of support. He has been pleasantly surprised, too, to discover how many former bandsmen there are in the district – and all willing to lend a helping hand with the proposed organisation. A limited number of instruments, too, is available locally. The proposal will be full discussed at a public meeting on April 24th and all interested – whether prospective members or not – are encouraged to attend.
By the way, if there is anyone locally with a band instrument which they wish to dispose of, Mr Hickmott would be glad to hear from them before the meeting. If the band is formed – and there seems every possibility that it will be – it will be necessary to purchase some instruments to supplement those already available; and if these can be obtained locally, so much the better.
Pakenham and District Citizens’ Band is the name chosen for the new organization, and the following office bearers were elected: President, Mr R. Kirkland ; vice-presidents, Mr E. McLean and Mr W. Hickmott ; secretary, Mr. D. Weston ; treasurer, Mr R. Lansdown ; band master, Mr E. McLean ; deputy band master, Mr W. Hickmott.
Strong support has been promised by a number of former bandsmen in the district, and at least half of the instruments required are available. As the first method of obtaining the money required to purchase additional instruments, a direct appeal is being made to the public.
Band practice will be held on Tuesday evenings at 8 o’clock sharp, commencing next Tuesday at the Scout Hall. Anyone interested, irrespective of whether he has previous band experience, will be welcome.
The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs Hickmott and McLean for taking the initial action to form the band. The formation of the band will fill a long-felt want in the town, and the officials are deserving of the fullest possible support.
[Before we continue we will look at the five men who formed the foundation committee of the Pakenham and District Citizens’ Band.
Kirkland, Reginald James. Reginald and his wife Doris lived at Pine Grove, Toomuc Valley Road, Pakenham. He was an orchardist and he served in the Army in World War Two. Reginald died in 1980, aged 75.
McLean, E. Not sure who this is. The Electoral Roll has a Williams and Daisy McLean in Main Street, Pakenham and a Ruth McLean and a Hector McLean, who was a farmer, so I am guessing he was connected to one or more of these people.
Hickmott, Walter Leslie. Walter and his wife Eleanor lived on Ballarto Road, Cardinia. He enlisted in the Army in World War Two and his occupation was listed as a dairy farmer and mail carrier. Walter died in 1970, aged 72.
Weston, D. I presume this is Alexander David Weston, listed in the Electoral Roll on Main Street, Pakenham, occupation pastrycook. Also listed is Hilda Kate Weston.
Lansdown, Reginald Charles. Listed with his wife Hazel, in Station Street, Pakenham. He died in 1996, aged 79. ]
Sir, - May we through your columns make a public appeal for funds for Pakenham and District Citizens’ Band, which was formed at a meeting held last Tuesday. The advantages of having such an organization in the town are too obvious to call for any comment by us. We are very fortunate to have available a number of band instruments but more are required, and it is to purchase these that we are appealing for funds. We would be pleased if you could acknowledge through your columns any contributions which are forwarded to us. On behalf of the Committee – Yours etc,
R. KIRKLAND, President
D. WESTON, Hon. Sec.
(We will be pleased to acknowledge any donations. - Ed. G.)
In introducing the Tramways Band, Cr L.J. Cochrane, M.L.A., congratulated those responsible for forming the Pakenham Band and wished the new organization every success. He mentioned the possibility of obtaining a Treasury grant to assist in the formation of the Band, and offered his help in efforts to secure this. He warmly thanked the visiting Band for coming out to help the local Band.
Mr W. Hickmott presided. At the close of the evening a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the visitors at instance of Messrs. Hickmott and Reg. Kirkland. Pakenham Band’s funds will benefit substantially as a result of the concert.
The Band is gradually improving its position and as funds come in additional instruments are purchased. Expenses of hall rent, etc.,for practices are met by weekly contributions from the enthusiastic bandsmen. Just how expensive it is to start a band will be realized from the statement that it cost just on £1600 to purchase a complete new set of instruments.
A fairly substantial sum has already been received in donations from residents who realize what an outstanding advantage it is to have a Band in the district; but much more money is needed to get the band fully equipped. To help raise funds, it was decided to circulate residents.
Mr W. Hickmott was elected secretary, in place of Mr. Alan Stephenson, who has resigned. Enquiries are to be made regarding affiliation with the Bands Association, and also as to the possibility of staging a band contest at Pakenham.
The advantages of having in the district a band which would be available for many functions are so obvious as to need no emphasis. The small group of enthusiasts who conceived the idea of forming Pakenham Brass Band and have given up many hours of their time in an endeavor to get it firmly established have done yeoman service. Slowly but surely they have collected funds necessary for the purchase of instruments, of which a fair number is now available. However, it is an old saying that “one can’t make bricks without straw” and it is equally true that a band cannot be made without sufficient bandsmen.
That is the difficulty which confronts the officers to-day. And it is a problem which can only be solved in one way – by a number of residents coming forward and showing their willingness to sacrifice an hour or two each week to practice.
If you are interested yourself or if you know of anyone who may be interested, help to swell the attendance at next Wednesday’s meeting and give the officials encouragement in their efforts to help Pakenham and district.
The Band is here to stay, thanks to the enthusiasm of a small number of members. There are two ways in which residents can assist – by making a donation to the band for purchase of additional instruments and by swelling the ranks of the bandsmen.
Band Get Uniforms
In addition to playing at Berwick Show, the Band accepted an offer to play at Officer on 5th November. Other engagements are also under consideration. The Band acknowledges with thanks a donation of £2/2/- from Pakenham Racing Club.
Reports by the president (Mr. Reg Kirkland), bandmaster (Mr. W. Hickmott), and treasurer (Mr. Reg Lansdown) left no room for doubt that the past year had been one of advancement – progress in the musical education of the young bandsmen, greater public recognition of the Band, and consolidation of the financial position.
To provide the Band with more comfortable quarters, it was decided to apply for the use of a room at the Consolidated School for practices.
Up to the present the members have met all their own expenses in travelling to fulfil outside engagements, but it was agreed that after three functions which they have already promised to attend they should in future stipulate that the organisation which they are assisting should meet the cost of travelling by bus.
The following officers were elected for the ensuing years: - President, Mr. F. Dodds; vice-president, Mr. F. Lansdown; secretary, Mr. Ken Webster; treasurer, Mr R. Lansdown; auditor, Mr R. Ramage.
Community Singing aids Band Funds
In the street marching they were awarded third place. The winner of the trophy was the Morwell Band. By the way, Drum Major Reg Kirkland, of Pakenham, filled the vacancy when Morwell’s drum major was unavoidably absent. He then returned by car to the starting point to lead Pakenham on.
In addition to taking part in the massed bands items, Pakenham Band presented a selection. Bandmaster Frank Walsh was in charge of the massed bands for two items. Altogether it was a notable day for the bandsmen and the big crowd of onlookers. The spectacle of some 250 bandsmen in uniform (totalling eight different bands) marching and playing made a great impression.
On Sunday, 21st February, there is to be a massed band display at Pakenham, arranged by the local brass band, and the occasion will be eagerly looked forward to.
A big crowd assembled in Station Street to watch the bands move off to the Recreation Reserve, at the gate way of which was erected an archway – the work of Pakenham band Secretary, Mr Len Webster - bearing the words “’Welcome to Pakenham.”
The Bands took up their position at the northern end of the arena, then marched in mass formation to the southern end to group around a “platform” formed by the trays of two semi-trailers, kindly lent for the occasion by Dunning Transport Pty Ltd. The whole show was excellently compered by Mr Norman Ellis, of 3UZ.
Massed Bands Impressive
The bands were heard to good effect in numerous well-presented selections, but the “gems” of the programme were the hymns, “Rock of Ages” and “Abide With me,” played by the massed bands under the leadership of Pakenham Bandmaster Frank Walsh.
The bands were welcomed to Pakenham by Cr. P.B. Ronald, who apologised for the absence of the Shire President (Cr. D. Kinsella) owing to illness. It was very fitting, said, Cr Ronald, that the first massed bands display in this area should be held in Pakenham, “the capital of the Berwick Shire.” Pakenham people were very proud of their band and had demonstrated that pride fittingly by raising sufficient money to erect a musical shell in Bourke Park, adjacent to the Railway Station. He sincerely thanked neighbouring bands from Gippsland for coming along to take part in the display. As he saw it, a band had two duties – the first to entertain, the second to develop a sense of musical appreciation. To do this cost money. To further their musical education it was necessary for the bands to visit various centres and meet other bands. That entailed considerable expense.
£3000 to Equip Band
Few people realized, continued Cr. Ronald, the great amount involved in providing instruments for a band. To buy new instruments for a band of 30 men would cost in the vicinity of £3000. A new euphonium cost £150. Naturally few of the instruments being used on the ground that day were new. Most of the bands started in a small way with secondhand instruments and gradually built up. With the support and encouragement of the people of their respective districts they would continue to advance. The proceeds from that day were going to Pakenham band, to help defray the cost incurred by members in travelling to other centres and helping other bands, as they had been helped that day. Any donations which might be forthcoming would be greatly appreciated. He congratulated the bands on trying to help each other. He also congratulated the officials – Bandmaster Frank Walsh, Drum Major Reg, Kirkland, Secretary Len Webster and Chief Steward Frank Lansdown – on the excellent organization of the display. He also mentioned the Pakenham band was extremely fortunate to have an excellent Auxiliary, the members of which were providing afternoon that day and also helped in many other directions. They had raised a considerable sum of money for the Band. Cr. Ronald concluded by extending on behalf of the Shire President and Councillors and the residents generally a warm welcome to Pakenham.
Officials Impressed
Mr. Harry Oliver, President of the Central Gippsland Bands Group, also extended a welcome to the massed bands.
Capt. Hill, of the Victorian Bands League, acted as adjudicator for the day. Visiting officials were very complimentary regarding the organization of the day and remarked that this was the first occasion at a gathering of this kind that continuity in the programme had been attempted.
Two Trophies to Warragul : One to Morwell
Three trophies were awarded in connection with the display and Warragul had a “field day,” winning the awards for oval marching and discipline. Morwell won the prize for street marching. Points in these two marching competitions were as follow: Street March: Morwell 34, Warragul 32, Pakenham 29, Sale 29, Maffra 28, Traralgon 27. Oval March: Warragul 47, Morwell 46, Maffra 41, Pakenham 38, Sale 32.
Donors of trophies were: For the street march: Messrs W. Hickmott and R. Kirkland ; discipline, Bandmaster Frank Walsh ; oval march, Mr Frank Dodds (president). As usual, Mr Wes. Williams, of Dandenong, did an excellent job with his public address system.
Auxiliary’s Help
The Ladies’ Auxiliary, as usual, did a splendid job of catering. They provided free of charge afternoon tea for all the bandsmen, and although the patronage for luncheon was not a s great as expected, they will more than “break even.” It would be invidious to select any of the ladies for special mention. Suffice it to say that all members of the Auxiliary and many other willing helpers did splendid work.
Donations in cash and kind helped towards the financial success of the day. Amongst those to give cash donations were Cr. P.B. Ronald, and Messrs. B.J. Doherty, J. Richards, J. Emmerton and C. Plummer. Those who helped with donations in kind included Messrs. Lia, Gook, Cook, McLean, Whitelaw, Trew, Taylor and Atkinson.
Support Appreciated
Bandmaster Frank Walsh expressed his gratification at the support received. There was not one tradesman who was approached who did not willingly lend a hand, and the support of the residents was very encouraging to the Band.