Bands

Star of Doncaster Brass Band.  1906

The annual meeting of the above was held at the shire hall, Doncaster, on Friday evening, Cr W. Sell (president of the shire and also of the band) occupying the chair. Nearly all the members were present. The report submitted by the hon. secretary (Mr A. Tully) showed that the year just passed had been a very successful one. The band had had several important engagements both in and outside the district, and these had been fulfilled, it was thought, very satisfactorily to all concerned. As usual performances were given in aid of the Melbourne charities, and the amount raised was well up to the average. During the year a number of instruments had been purchased, and also two large acetylene gas lamps, whilst a good supply of music was kept up. The annual concert held in September, 1905, was a marked success, and it was intended to hold a similar entertainment this year, which, it was hoped, would be as successful as the last. There were at present 14 financial members on the books, and the funds of the band were in a sound condition, the year as regards finances being very good. Mr H. Foster deserved the best thanks of the members for the way he had carried out his duties as bandmaster.

In conclusion the officers trusted that members would still continue to take a warm interest in the affairs of the band, and that the ensuing year would be even more progressive than the past. The report was received and adopted on the motion of Messrs W. Cronan and E. Thiele. The balance sheet, which had been duly audited, showed the receipts to be £47, and expenditure, £44 17/3, leaving a credit balance of £2 2/9. On the motion of Messrs Cronan and J. Broussard, the auditors' report and financial statement were adopted, and the secretary authorised to procure a new minute book and account book. New rules, as drawn up by a sub-committee, were carefully gone into, and after a few slight alterations and additions had been made, they were adopted. Oflicers were elected for the ensuing president, Mr E. Lawford; treasurer, Mr F. Tolley; secretary, Mr Albert Tully; committee, Messrs W. Wilson, E. Thiele and J. Hewish; librarian, Mr F. Tolley; stewards, Messrs J. Hewish and W. Cronan; trustees, Messrs E. Lawford, L. H. Smith and Henry Thiele. Mr H. Graham moved that a vote of thanks be recorded to past officers for the good work performed by them, which was seconded by Mr Cronan and carried. It was decided to hold the annual concert in September next, and the committee were empowered to make all necessary arrangements for same. It was also agreed that another instrument be purchased at a cost of 35/. On the motion of Messrs Foster and Cronan, the best thanks of the members were ordered to be sent to the Doncaster shire council for granting the band the free use of the shire hall for practice. A hearty vote of thanks to the president, Cr W. Sell, for his able assistance was carried by acclama tion, and the meeting closed.

1906 'Star of Doncaster Brass Band.', Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), 20 July, p. 4. , viewed 13 Aug 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92817510


 DP0106 | Doncaster District Brass Band |1920 | Photograph of the Doncaster District Brass Band. The band played on Sunday afternoons at Federal Park, at the rear of the Doncaster Primary School. The musicians include Alf Petty, Fred Tolly junior, Harrold Smith, Ralph Corbett, Ernie Aumann, Archie Crouch, Jack Hewish, J. Smith, Horrie Corbett, Mr Plunkett [Band Master], Fred Tolly senior, Ted Bienvenue, Roy Tully, and Philip Tolly. | Compare with DP0313 | Doncaster  Bands|Doncaster District Brass Band|Petty, Alf|Tolly, Fred|Smith, Harrold|Corbett, Ralph Spencer|Aumann, Ernie|Crouch, Archie|Hewish, Jack|Smith, J.|Corbett, Horrie|Plunkett, J. W. [Band Master]|Tolly, Fred senior|Bienvenue, Ted|Tully, Roy|Tolly, Philip|F |

 Doncaster District Brass Band, taken circa 1930.
"My grandfather, Bert Aumann, is in the bottom row, extreme right, on tuba. He lived in Olivers Rd, Templestowe. His brother Ern is in the second row, extreme left, on euphonium. He lived in George St, Doncaster. Can anyone out there hazard a guess at other band members?"
David Aumann Facebook Aug2018

The person third from the right in front row is my Uncle Roy Tully. The older Man in the dark suit could be my Grandfather John Tully in second row. Marj Rogerson Facebook

Bloke with the trombone, front row, to the left of the drum, is Grandpa, Bert Miller. Trevor Sell Facebook.

 My Grandfather John Tully is in the middle row, he has a white shirt on and a grey beard, I think his son Roy may be in the front row third from the left with trumpet. Marj Rogerson facebook


Doncaster District Brass Band 1920. 
Presented to E Bienvenu [Noel Bienvenu's grandfather "as a token of esteem".
Source: Noel Bienvenu

Same picture as:
DP0313 | Title: Doncaster District Brass Band 1920 | Brief Description: Doncaster District Brass Band. This is a duplicate of the framed photograph that hangs above the fireplace in the schoolroom at Schramm's Cottage. Note: Thomas Henry Manns stands at the extreme left of the photograph and holds the drum hammer. Also, the name "A. Petty" is written on the back of the photograph hanging above the fireplace in the schoolroom of Schramms Cottage. (Photograph mounted with caption)

The people in this photograph were named by Arch Morrison on 19 January 1999 and Ken Smith wrote down their names:
Manns, Thomas Henry|Zerbe, August|Tully, John|Plunkett, J. W. [Band Master]|Tolly, Phil|Smith, Harold|Tolly, Fred junior|Neal, Fred|Aumann, Ernie|Tolly, Fred P. senior|Smith, Lawrence Hislop|Clay, Herb|Hewish, Jack|Carr, Tom|Smith, J.|Corbett, Horrie|McKinley, Jim|Tully, Roy|Bienvenu, Ted|Aumann, Albert|Aumann, Johann Otto Albert|Corbett, Ralph Spencer|Petty, Alf|Morrison, Arch

Albert Aumann played the tuba. He is seated at the extreme right of the front row of this photo. His full name was Johann Otto Albert Aumann but was commonly known as Bertie. [see Aumann family history book by Eric Uebergang, pg 357]


DP0976 | Band |1958 | One of the photographs taken by the late Fred Drakeford of the centenary of the Lutheran Church at Doncaster. This photo shows the brass band in action on stage. Unfortunately, two members are not identified. | Doncaster  Trinity Lutheran Church|Fisch,Bob|Beavis, Geoff|Aumann, Bruce|Aumann, Harold|Soderlund, Ralph|Jensz, Ron|Scanned images | Drakeford, Fred |

DP1029 | Star of Doncaster Brass Band | Photograph of the "Star of Doncaster" Brass Band. Mrs E P Whitten claimed it was Doncaster's first band, and identifies some of the band members, viz.,  Edwin Lawford, Laurie Smith [the painting and drawing master], Mr Oberdorf [Band Master], Fred Pickering, Bert schramm, and Fred Winter. The house in the background has not been identified. | Doncaster  Bands|Star of Doncaster Brass Band|Lawford, Edwin|Smith, Laurence Hislop|Oberdorf, Mr (Band Master)|Pickering, Frederick|Schramm, Bert|Winter, Frederick|Scanned images |


Brass Band Meeting Minutes. 1921

Minutes of Band Meeting 1921 (1976 08 DTHS Newsletter)


Doncaster Brass Band. 1907

It is announced elsewhere that the annual concert under the auspices of the Doncaster brass band takes place in Ihe Athenaeum, Doncaster, on Tuesday evening next, when the Misses Samuell's musical and dramatic company will supply the whole programme. After the concert a dance is to. be held. The splendid entertainments given on previous occasions by the Misses Samuell should certainly ensure a bumper house on Tuesday next.

1907 'Doncaster Brass Band.', Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), 7 June, p. 4. , viewed 13 Aug 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92817245


Doncaster Mission Band. 1912

A very pleasant evening was spent in connection with the Doncaster Church of Christ mission band on Wed-nesday evening, August 14. The school room had been very prettily decorated by the ladies, and a splendid programme of songs, recitations competitions and games was given, followed by an excel-lent supper. The secretary is to be congratulated upon the manner in which everything was carried out.

1912 'Doncaster Mission Band.', Reporter (Box Hill, Vic. : 1889 - 1918), 23 August, p. 4. , viewed 13 Aug 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90369137





Doncaster and Templestowe Municipal Band

At about this time the Music Department, under the direction of  Mike Hughes, developed an outstanding reputation and an  instrumental section of renown. Discussions with local Council led 
to the formation of the Doncaster and Templestowe Municipal Band.  Because Mike was held in such high esteem by the Staff, many of us  joined him to establish the Band. Until we met at Templestowe Tech. 

I did not know Mike; however, I did know his family as the Hughes  family were old “Pointies”. Also interesting to note, is that Mike also  had Chinese heritage, yet another Chinese descendant from Golden  Point who made a great contribution to Aussie community and  culture.  
Dot also knew some of his sisters and a brother. Coincidently our current postman, Peter Hughes, is a nephew of Mike. Mike and Dawn (Doreen) moved to Queensland when they retired. Mike passed  away some years ago, Dawn and I kept in touch at Christmas time  for many years.
 
I was Treasurer of the band for a couple of years, which was another  learning experience, during which time we received grants from the  Council Doncaster and Templestowe, later renamed Manningham Council. The delivery of our telephone books recently reminded me  that one year, to enable the purchase of new Band Uniforms, we  successfully tendered to win the contract to deliver Phone Books  throughout the Municipality. I cannot remember the number of  books involved but it was a worthwhile exercise and boosted our  bank balance. 

The Band performed at many civic functions and helped to further  the reputation of Templestowe Technical School. It was unfortunate  that when Mike retired as Bandmaster, and the Registrar of  Templestowe Tech., Elaine Carter, Band Secretary, also resigned to  accept an administrative position at Latrobe University. At about  this time I also resigned as Treasurer, as I had gained a place in the  recently established “Graduate Diploma in Careers” Education  Course at R.M.I.T.  
Other staff members who also gave support to Mike and the Band  were: from the Music Department, Julia Hayes, Frank Robertson – Smith and Derrick Link. Derrick was a Former British Army Music  Apprentice (Bugle / Trumpet) short of stature with Military bearing. Also about this time Julia left to get married and Derrick  transferred to another school which required an instrumental  teacher. 
Another staff member very much involved was Kathryn Reiter, Head  of Business Studies. Kathy took on the role of Band Publicity Officer  and between us all we developed valuable contacts in the Media.  Those days there were two Community Newspapers plus a  Community Newsletter. They all gave the Band and the School  generally, great coverage. All were more than happy to cover the  Careers / Work Experience Program and regularly published stories,  photos and statistics. 
All publications, Doncaster Mirror, Doncaster News and Templestowe  Newsletter no longer exist. This is a great pity as they were all a  valuable part of the close – knit community that existed in those  days. 
At about this time, Kathy also left Templestowe Tech. to work in the  Computer Industry on a School / Industry exchange scheme. She  later returned to teaching at a new College in the South Eastern  suburbs. So, with all these "defections" there was little incentive for  the band to remain at the school.  
The band moved from the school and the structure changed, which  was most unfortunate for both the school and the community, as  potential Student recruits were lost to the band, and probably to  music as well. 
The band continued to be an asset to the community for many years  several members formed individual groups that performed and  recorded one Jazz Band "The All Stars" was very successful. I don't  know if the Municipal Band is still a viable concern, but I do hope  so, not only as an asset to the City of Manningham, but also as a Legacy to the memory of Lawrence Michael Hughes, a Good man, a  Great Musician and a Good Friend. 


Article regarding the formation of the band with Ron and Michael Hughes both pictured. 

..........
Doncaster and Templestowe Historical Society celebrated “Hundred  Years of Music” in the mid 1970’s. The Doncaster and Templestowe Municipal Band played at the concert. Mike Hughes was Musical  Director; Convenor was Cr. Muriel Green. I think Muriel was later Mayor. Bruce Mansfield, of Radio and T.V. fame, was Compere. Tickets, which I still have, featured the Tram which ran from Box  Hill to Doncaster from 1888 to 1896. The terminus was the corner of  Tram Road and Doncaster Road known as White’s Corner. This now  the site of Doncaster shopping Town. 


Source: Excerpt from: The Life and Times of Ron Douglas: Reminiscences of a Raconteur or The Ravings of a Ratbag


The Manningham Concert Band

The Manningham Concert Band is one of Victoria's oldest concert bands. A concert band was created from a public meeting in July 1974 and the first rehearsal was held at Templestowe Technical School in September of that year. This band officially became "The Doncaster and Templestowe Municipal Band" in 1976.Print out the Band Brochure In 1978 the ensemble ran as a brass band and then returned to the concert band format in 1983, and has remained as such until this present day. Incorporated as the "Manningham Musicians Association" in 1985 the band also ran both a stage band and a training band for a number of years. In January 2008
we moved to our current home at The Pines Learning and Activity Centre - officially opened by the then Mayor, Cr Ron Kitchingman.

In 2014 we celebrated our 40th year. Our Gala Concert was entitled "The Music of War & the Centenary of WWI" and we were happy to donate $250 to "Soldier On" from our Gala Raffle. The concert also included a 52-page commemorative program recording the band's 40-year history:

http://www.manninghamband.org.au/3history.htm


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