Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Black and white photograph of a man dressed in a three piece suit standing in clear yard backed by the end wall of a brick building containing a large arched window. The man is Frank Wright and the place is the school where his friend George Elliot went to school.Written in pencil on the back -Frank Wright in Geo Elliot School yard. (Geo Elliot went to this school), Aug 1934frank wright, geo elliot, george elliot, school, arched window

stawell education

6975-32 Stawell High School Form 3A, 1973 Form Teacher Mr Kruger Back Row, Julie Start, Robyn Murphy, Kerryn Slater Middle Row, Christine Slorach, Julie Martin, Pam Robson, Pamela Guy, Judy Jeffery, Ruth West, Elizabeth McCracken, Helen McAllister, Front Row, Karen Vendee, Poppy Mangana. Margaret van Leeuwan, Wendy Mason, Mr Kruger, Julie Roe, Zanda Seng-Hpa, Geraldine Rathgeber, Angela Hayes. Students and Teacher Class Photo in front of OvalStawell High School Form 3A 1973education