BATTLING the wind and rain ... Sale City Band leads the way across the new Latrobe River bridge at Rosedale during the celebrations on Saturday. Rain may have dampened people's clothing but not their spirit or  determination to have a good time.

STEADY rain didn't dampen the festive spirits in Rosedale for the opening of the new Princes Highway bridge on Saturday.

Hundreds of people, some travelling from afar, lined the streets.

Minister for Roads and Ports Geoff Craige officially opened the bridge after participating in a procession across the wider, safer, dual-lane carriageway.

Led by Sale City Band, the procession battled against gale force winds and driving rain.

Members of the Gippsland Light Horse, several horse drawn vehicles and a long line of vintage cars followed across the bridge into town.

Long-time Rosedale resident Arch Timms was given pride of place in the procession, travelling with the minister in a horsedrawn carraige. As a 16-year-old he was among the first to cross the old bridge when it opened 60 years ago. He was was also riding in a carriage on that occasion.

A ribbon stretched across the highway at the edge of town was then officially cut by Mr Craige.

The crowd moved to a temporary shelter in Lyons St. Park where the official speeches and the unveiling of a plaque took place.

VicRoads was praised by the Minister for completing the $15 million project ahead of schedule and under budget. Works also included duplicating the highway from Blind Joe's Creek on the west of town to Denison Rd. to the north.

After the official ceremonies celebrations continued at Prince St. Reserve.

From: Lorraine Percy,
Dawson St., Sale.
FOR toe-tapping, soulstirring music, it would be hard to find better entertainment than the Sale City Band concert to celebrate 125 years of providing music for the citizens of Sale and district.

Those who missed the event can still catch the action at performances every weekend until Christmas.

Take up the challenge issued by the compere for the concert. Every member of the audience to ask themselves what value could be placed on a city's band.

Come to their concerts, and judge for yourself.

My opinion is that their value is beyond price.

In practical terms however, funds raised from the two concerts held over the past two weekends have raised money for local charities, as well as for the band.

Sale City Band deserves every citizen's support, as does the Maffra Pipe Band and Salvation Army Timbrels, who added an extra dimension to the concerts.

LET'S try it this way . .. Sale bandmaster Hugh Davies gives a few pointers to Xavier Smith, flanked by a couple of young bandsmen in Daniel Henderson and Louise Mowat.

SALE City Band is looking for new members, and you are invited. That is the message from Hugh Davies, bandmaster at Sale.

The band will host an information night for all interested people, from beginners to those who can already play and want to tone up their skills, to players who just want to make music.

"The band offers a wonderful opportunity for fellowship through music, by practicing or learning with other dedicated band members," said Mr Davis, who has been with the band for many years.

The information night will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday, February 6, at the band hall on the Princes Highway near Sale Museum.

There will be a short concert before the information begins, so this is an opportunity to hear the band.

"Even if people are not sure they want to join, they are welcome to come and hear one of Gippsland's top bands," said Mr Davies.

Sale won D grade section of the Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod.

Learners are given lessons for the minimal amount of $1 per week with the overall cost to band members kept very reasonable. Some instruments are available for hire, or players can bring their own.

Sale City Band is an active supporter of the Wellington Shire and playing for the Australia Day ceremony was a great way to start its commitment for 1997.

The band will also take its music into the streets on Sunday, February 9, with a concert and barbecue in front of the band hall with all of Sale invited.

Starting at noon the band will play for a couple of hours under the shade of some of Sale's most magnificent old Morton Bay fig trees.

Mr Davies said he would welcome musicians of all ages. "The band also offers the chance for families to take part, as age is not a barrier and youth often sits beside experience," Mr Davies said.

SALE CITY Band members had a taste of magic over the long weekend when three brass members of the Australian Opera  Orchestra, here to play for The Magic Flute, sat in on a special rehearsal.

Brendan Collins, trombone, led practice with 10 Sale City Band members. Louise Hunter, trumpet, and Vicky Chatterley, French horn, also helped.

Mr Collins contacted Sale bandmaster Hugh Davies on Saturday looking for somewhere to practice. Staying in a motel meant was unable to practice in a room.

In discussions with Mr Davies, Mr Collins offered to take a rehearsal arranged for Sunday and work through one of the pieces the Sale City Band hoped to be performing this year.

Mr Collins said it was encouraging to hear the musicians working hard together and to hear the sounds matching.

Mr Davies was able to sit with other band members instead of being out front conducting.

The band will be back in the public eye soon, marching in Bairnsdale this weekend and staging a concert near the gaol on March 22.