S a l e C t y B a n d
Dedicated Members
Neil McPherson bandmaster for eight years and Sale band's first life member, described Ray Jago as being in heyday, one of Victoria's finest cornet players.
Ray began as an eight-year-old with East Kew.
Ken Garner pays generous tribute to Ray Jago's and Bob Wallace's contributions.
"Ray lifted the band to new heights, musically. It was his dedicated enthusiasm that led to rejuvenation and, extraordinary as it may seem, a waiting list of members seeking to join.
"Bob Wallace ...well, Bob's one of those keen members who'll pitch in. You only have to ask Bob to do something, and it's done."
The band's other officers include secretary of 9 years Shirley Hemperger, and new treasurer Peter Weeding, who succeeds Alan Glover, retired after 13 years.
Shirley Hemperger, who has five children in the band, heads up the active auxiliary, coordinating the catering for various functions at the "hire-out" band room, and which raises considerable sums.
At the July annual meettng the auxiliary handed over $3000 for new instruments. The money's needed, too. A cornet, for example, costs $1000 a piece and the band's target is provision of the best instruments ... and turning out the finest musicians.
The smartly-uniformed band proudly bears the jacket motif designed by Jill Williamson, mother of young bandsmen Hugh and Lloyd, and who styledthe logo on a doubleclef.
Mums and dads are an integral part of the band's familyhood.
Shirley Hemperger's children have won a niche in band history. Son Les, a trumpeter, graduated to become a musician at Duntroon military college.
Daughter Debbie became the first female conductor to conduct the band, at the Swing Bridge centenary last week.
Debbie aided by Leon Salter, has been rebponsible for the number of prospective juniors seeking to join.
Other Hemperger children Bradley, Susan and Eleanor are all musicians.
The band has produced some fine talented musicians in recent years and while the list is long, Carey Fehst went on to make a career in music in the Army, Brian Sim plays with the Victoria Police band, and Peter Jackson, son of Mr and Mrs Ern Jackson, who joined in the 1950's, toured overseas and is a commissioned officer in the Army as well as conductor of Hawthorn band. Peter's rated a top-line conductor.
Ken Garner, builder by trade, was in construction partnership with George Gourley, and during building of timber mill houses at Ensay north, whiled away the evening hours making music.
Ken returns to the pleasing number of youngsters queuing to join.
He sees the waiting list as recognition of the band as a community education resource as much as a recreation avenue. but more than that, parents with deep faith in the band to raise their children in a desirable social environment through community service.
"Having a waiting list is a contrast with the old days when we couldn't get numbers. It speaks volumes for not only the committee of recent years, but the very foundation of the band built up over a great many years."
"History apart, we are here to serve the community in a way no other local organisation can.
Ray began as an eight-year-old with East Kew.
Ken Garner pays generous tribute to Ray Jago's and Bob Wallace's contributions.
"Ray lifted the band to new heights, musically. It was his dedicated enthusiasm that led to rejuvenation and, extraordinary as it may seem, a waiting list of members seeking to join.
"Bob Wallace ...well, Bob's one of those keen members who'll pitch in. You only have to ask Bob to do something, and it's done."
The band's other officers include secretary of 9 years Shirley Hemperger, and new treasurer Peter Weeding, who succeeds Alan Glover, retired after 13 years.
Shirley Hemperger, who has five children in the band, heads up the active auxiliary, coordinating the catering for various functions at the "hire-out" band room, and which raises considerable sums.
At the July annual meettng the auxiliary handed over $3000 for new instruments. The money's needed, too. A cornet, for example, costs $1000 a piece and the band's target is provision of the best instruments ... and turning out the finest musicians.
The smartly-uniformed band proudly bears the jacket motif designed by Jill Williamson, mother of young bandsmen Hugh and Lloyd, and who styledthe logo on a doubleclef.
Mums and dads are an integral part of the band's familyhood.
Shirley Hemperger's children have won a niche in band history. Son Les, a trumpeter, graduated to become a musician at Duntroon military college.
Daughter Debbie became the first female conductor to conduct the band, at the Swing Bridge centenary last week.
Debbie aided by Leon Salter, has been rebponsible for the number of prospective juniors seeking to join.
Other Hemperger children Bradley, Susan and Eleanor are all musicians.
The band has produced some fine talented musicians in recent years and while the list is long, Carey Fehst went on to make a career in music in the Army, Brian Sim plays with the Victoria Police band, and Peter Jackson, son of Mr and Mrs Ern Jackson, who joined in the 1950's, toured overseas and is a commissioned officer in the Army as well as conductor of Hawthorn band. Peter's rated a top-line conductor.
Ken Garner, builder by trade, was in construction partnership with George Gourley, and during building of timber mill houses at Ensay north, whiled away the evening hours making music.
Ken returns to the pleasing number of youngsters queuing to join.
He sees the waiting list as recognition of the band as a community education resource as much as a recreation avenue. but more than that, parents with deep faith in the band to raise their children in a desirable social environment through community service.
"Having a waiting list is a contrast with the old days when we couldn't get numbers. It speaks volumes for not only the committee of recent years, but the very foundation of the band built up over a great many years."
"History apart, we are here to serve the community in a way no other local organisation can.
1980-1999