The picture shows the Ararat Citizens' Band (as it was then known) competing in the Royal South Street Society contests in 1948 or 1949. The Ararat Citizens' Band is a very well known band and is still in existence as the Ararat City Band. The Ararat Band have been regular competitors in Victorian Bands' League events over the past century.This photograph is significant as it shows the discipline of a brass band while participating in a marching contest. The Quickstep and Street March contests at Ballarat were highlights of brass band competitions and always drew large crowds. The year of this photo is also significant as it was the first year the Royal South Street Society held band contests after the 2nd World War.Rectangular black and white photograph mounted on card. A sheet of paper has been stuck to the back with a list of the names of band members at the time.Front: (in pencil) Ararat City 1948-9? Ballarat N. R. Harvey Back: List of names: Drum Major W. Limmom F.R. A. Francis W. Ling W. Carther L. Vamos W. Cook 2nd R. T Lyth R. Humphries R. Lyth N. Cooper 3rd R. I. Tink A. Robinson J. Greenwell L. Ogilvie A. Chiller 4th R. L. Trafar L. Ling A. Turner D.W. Powell S. Caddy J. Riley ararat citizens' band, ararat city band, royal south street, ballarat, victorian bands' league, victorian bands' association, quickstep march

The Victorian Bands' League was officially founded on the 10th of April, 1931. This new organisation quickly gained the affliations of all brass bands in Victoria and took over the control of bands from the Victorian Bands' Association. The new VBL started presenting massed bands events at the MCG and ran competitions around Victoria. This program pamphlet is a unique example of the style of massed bands events that were held at the MCG with 24 brass bands all marching into the ground and performing a number of items individually or in groups. This would have been quite a spectacle! This small program is very significant to the banding history in Victoria. It provides a wealth of information as to the bands that existed in 1933 as well as what they played, and how the VBL organised events. As well as this, there is evidence of a large number of metropolitan bands as well as bands from country areas.Small printed pamphlet on thin paper.victorian bands' league, melbourne cricket ground, malvern tramway junior, malvern tramways band, stonnington city brass, coburg west boys, prahran city, kingsville and yarraville citizens', footscray city, footscray-yarraville city brass, coburg city, northcote citizens and soldiers', essendon citizens', moonee valley brass band, geelong city, terang brass, geelong west city, south melbourne city, reservoir citizens', st. kilda city, oakleigh city, oakleigh band, hawthorn city, kensington district, brunswick city, moreland city band, moorabbin shire, metropolitan fire brigade, sunshine district, sunshine community brass, kew city, kynetown town

This is an extremely significant document highlighting the operations of the Victorian Bands' League in only its third year. Here we have an Annual General Meeting notice and report which would have been sent to all bands and delegates. It outlines the business of the league up until this date and the financial details. It is evident that a number of bandsmen from all over Victoria took an interest in the league given the locations and bands of the office bearers.This AGM notice is extremely significant to the history of the Victorian Bands' League due to the information that's contained and the style of presentation. It is unclear whether other AGM notices still survive which makes this rare notice very valuable for research purposes.Printed on stiff papervictorian bands' league, brunswick city, warrnambool municipal, collingwood citizens', warracknabeal and district, mentone citizens', northcote citizens' and soldiers', heidelberg municipal, south melbourne city, williamstown city, yallourn and district, shepparton and district, geelong west city, terang brass, hamilton town, stawell brass, metropolitan fire brigade

The Geelong Harbour Trust Band was one of five brass bands existing in the Geelogn area in the early 1900's. They were quite successful in competition under the direction of conductor Mr Harry Shugg. After their conductor Harry Shugg left to conduct the Malvern Tramways Band in 1915, the band merged with the Geelong Municipal Band to become the Geelong City Band. This photo, which matches a postcard in our collection, has most likely been taken in 1910 after their competition win at the Royal South Street Society competition in Ballarat.This photo is significant as it provides a historical window on the activities of this (former) brass band and their achievements. It is also significant as it is an identical photo to one of our postcards.Rectangular black & white photograph mounted on cardFront: J. Lockwood, Geelong Back: Geelong Harbour Trust Bandgeelong harbour trust band, victorian bands' association, victorian bands' league, malvern tramways band, harry shugg, ballarat

This letter from 1939 makes reference to an article written by Mr C. Mullen, the then Head of School Education (Victoria) in the "Lantern". The Chairman of the Council for Music in Schools congratulates Mr Mullen on his success. This is no doubt due to the implementation of school instrumental programs across the state due to the money from the Gillies Bequest. Many schools in Victoria started up school brass bands, fife & drum bands or orchestras as a result of this bequest.This letter is a rare item in our collection. While not directly related to banding history, there is a contextual element in that C. Mullen presided over an expansion of school instrumental programs which included brass bands. Typed letter on old paperthe university of melbourne, conservatorium of music, council for music in schools, c. mullen, j. sutton crow

This is a unique item of band history. Here we have a circular that was sent around to the citizens of Richmond advising them to check the identity of their collectors to make sure they weren't from the rival band! The Richmond City Band was formed in 1900 but only lasted another 30 years. The rival band was the Richmond Boys' Band. The circular also outlines the success of the band in competitions as well as the amount of money it has raised for charities. This circular presents a window on the past activities of the band which is special considering records of the band are few and far between - their band hall was destroyed by fire in 1926.This circular is significant as a record of the activities of the Richmond City Band. As most of the records of the band are presumed to be lost due to a fire in 1926, this is one record that shows the activities of the band as well as rivalries with other bands in the district.Printed on newspaperrichmond city band, richmond city contest band, richmond boys' band, victorian bands' association, city of yarra, richmond burnley historical society, richmond

This series of letters highlight the activities of the Caulfield District Band in the late 1920's. The letterhead is elaborate and lists all the patrons and office bearers at the time. They also show how the band gained engagements with various parties by providing a tender for services. The Caulfield District Band survives today as the City of Glen Eira BandInc.These letters are representative of the activities of not just this band, but other brass bands. The Caulfield District Band was unique as it was the band of choice for the Caulfield Racecourse as well as the local council.Hand written letters on note paper and Caulfield District Band letterheads.caulfield district band, victorian amatuer turf club, city of caulfield, city of glen eira

This programme was printed for the 1938 Australian Championship Band Contest and incorporates the Bandsman's Yearbook. This was the year of Australia's 150th Celebrations and this contest was held in Sydney. It contains a wealth of information not only from a National level but also articles and results from State competitions. There are also short essays, obituaries, articles of interest, advertisements and other material that is interesting from a historical perspective.This programme is unique in the information that it contains, the photographs and other historical information. It provides a record of bands that existed during this time as well as a multitude of competition results.Programme printed in A5 sizeband association nsw, queensland band association, south australian band association, victorian bands' league, western australian band association, brass band association of new zealand

This is the 22nd edition of the "Wright and Round's amateur band teacher's guide and bandsman's adviser". This book was produced by the Wright & Round music publishing house and is made up of articles on instructing brass bands as well as articles on music theory and instruments. In addition there are numerous pages to the back of the book that highlight all the brass band music that had been published by Wright & Round from 1875.This book is significant as it provides historical detail on brass band instruction in the early 1900's. There is a wealth of information here; on instruments, theory, playing, technique, conducting and other aspects of teaching. The music cataloge at the back of the book is also enlightening for the wealth of information.Printed book, missing coverswright & round, liverpool, united kingdom, brass band instruction, music theory

This book contains some of the earliest details of competition results formalized in a notebook format. The competitions date from 1939 and proceed until 1950. As special interest it contains details of events held during the years of the Second World War when the South Street Competition was in recess. Basic details on the competitions covered by this book, and the pages they are listed on can be found below: Table of Contents: 2. 1939 Bendigo Contest – A Grade 4. 1939 Bendigo Contest – B Grade 5. 1939 Bendigo Contest – Street March 6. 1939 Bendigo Contest - C Grade 8. 1939 Bendigo Contest – D Grade 9. 21/05/1939 – Hawthorn Band Contest 11. 29/01/1940 – Kyneton Contest 13. 23/03/1940 – Bendigo Contest – C Grade 15. 12/10/1941 – Massed Bands M.C.G. – Oval March / Street March 16. 21/09/1941 / 05/10/1941 / 19/10/1941 / 09/11/1941 – Group Contest 17. 02/12/1944 - 03/12/1944 – Frankston – A Grade 18. 02/12/1944 - 03/12/1944 – Frankston – B Grade 19. 02/12/1944 – 03/12/1944 – Frankston – C Grade 20. 02/12/1944 – 03/12/1944 – Frankston – D Grade 21. 02/12/1944 – 03/12/1944 – Standard Newspapers Shield, Frankston – Full Results Table 23. 04/02/1945 – Williamstown 25. 27/04/1945 – Solo & Party Championships (Kelvin Hall) 26. 27/04/1945 – 28/04/1945 – Solo & Party Championships (Kelvin Hall) 27. 28/04/1945 – Solo & Party Championships (Kelvin Hall) 29. 26/12/1945 – Fern Tree Gully – D Grade & C Grade 30. 26/12/1945 – Fern Tree Gully – B Grade & A Grade 31. 29/12/1945 – Frankston – D Grade 32. 29/12/1945 – Frankston – C Grade 33. 29/12/1945 – Frankston – B Grade 34. 01/01/1946 – Frankston – A Grade (Australian Championship) 35. 01/01/1946 – Standard Newspapers Shield, Frankston – Full Results Table 36. 29/12/1945 – Frankston – Solo & Party Competitions – Events 1 - 6 37. 29/12/1945 – Frankston – Solo & Party Competitions – Events 7 – 10 38. 29/12/1945 – Frankston – Solo & Party Competitions – Events 11 – 13 39. 22/04/1946 – Colac Contest 41. 01/01/1948 – Maryborough Contest – D Grade 47. 28/03/1948 – 29/03/1948 – Bendigo Contest – B Grade 48. 28/03/1948 – 29/03/1948 – Bendigo Contest – C Grade 49. 28/03/1948 – 29/03/1948 – Bendigo Contest – D Grade 50. 28/03/1948 – 29/03/1948 – Bendigo Contest – Aggregates 52. 06/09/1948 – St Kilda 53. 05/09/1948 – Heidelberg 57. 28/10/1948 – Ballarat – D Grade 58. 28/10/1948 – Ballarat – C Grade 59. 30/10/1948 – Ballarat – B Grade 60. 30/10/1948 – Ballarat – B Grade (Cont.) 61. 30/10/1948 – Ballarat – A Grade 62. 30/10/1948 – Ballarat – A Grade (Cont.) 63. 28/10/1948 – Ballarat - D & C Grades – Street March 64. 28/10/1948 – Ballarat – B & A Grades – Street March 65. 30/10/1948 – Ballarat – A & B Grades – Trophy listing 66. 30/10/1948 – Ballarat – C & D Grades – Trophy listing 67. 26/10/1948 – Ballarat – Solo & Party Competition 68. 26/10/1948 – Ballarat – Solo & Party Competition (Cont.) 69. 27/10/1948 – Ballarat – Solo & Party Competition 70. 27/10/1948 – Ballarat – Solo & Party Competition (Cont.) 71. 27/10/1948 – Ballarat – Solo & Party Competition 72. 27/10/1948 – Ballarat – Solo & Party Competition (Cont.) 73. 27/10/1948 – Ballarat – Solo & Party Competition 79. 13/03/1949 – Bendigo Group Contest 81. 20/03/1949 – Gippsland Group Contest 83-84. 17/04/1949 – Bendigo Easter Contest – C Grade 85. 07/10/1949 – Heidelberg – C Grade 87. 27/10/1949 – Ballarat – D Grade 88. 27/10/1949 – Ballarat – D Grade (Cont.) 89. 28/10/1949 – Ballarat – C Grade 90. 28/10/1949 – Ballarat – C Grade (Cont.) 91. 29/10/1949 – Ballarat – B Grade 92. 29/10/1949 – Ballarat – B Grade (Cont.) 93. 29/10/1949 – Ballarat – A Grade 94. 29/10/1949 – Ballarat – A Grade (Cont.) 95. 25/10/1949 – Ballarat – Solos 96. 25/10/1949 – Ballarat – Solos (Cont.) 97. 25/10/1949 – 26/10/1949 – Ballarat – Solos 98. 26/10/1949 – Ballarat – Champion of Champions / Solos 99. 29/10/1949 – Ballarat – Special Quickstep 100. 29/10/1949 – Ballarat – Special Quickstep 101. 19/02/1950 – Leongatha – D Grade 102. 19/02/1950 – Leongatha – D Grade – Full Results Table 103. 12/03/1950 – Bendigo Easter Fair Contest 104. 12/03/1950 – Bendigo Easter Fair Contest – Full Results Table 105. 12/03/1950 – Bendigo Easter Fair Contest – Selection / Hymn / Aggregate 106. 28/08/1950 - 01/09/1950 – Solo & Party Competitions (Assembly Hall) – Events 1 - 2 107. 28/08/1950 - 01/09/1950 – Solo & Party Competitions (Assembly Hall) – Events 3 - 7 108. 28/08/1950 - 01/09/1950 – Solo & Party Competitions (Assembly Hall) – Events 8 – 11 109. 28/08/1950 - 01/09/1950 – Solo & Party Competitions (Assembly Hall) – Events 12 – 15 110. 28/08/1950 - 01/09/1950 – Solo & Party Competitions (Assembly Hall) – Events 16 – 20 111. 10/10/1950 – 12/10/1950 – Heidelberg Contest – Solos – Events 2 – 11 112. 13/10/1950 – Heidelberg Contest – C Grade 113. 24/10/1950 – South Street Victorian Championships – Solo & Party Competition 114. 25/10/1950 – South Street Victorian Championships – Solo & Party CompetitionThis book is very significant to the history of the Victorian Bands' League due to the richness of historical data that it contains and the amount of competitions that were covered. Leather bound notebook, 190.

This programme dates from 1948 when the Mortlake Citizens' Band held a Massed Bands Recital in Mortlake. A number of bands from the South-West region of Victoria participated with the event comprising of a March and various massed bands items. The programme is extremely detailed as to times bands were playing and also includes an amount of advertisements for local Mortlake businesses.This small programme is significant as it shows how a country town held a massed bands festival and hosted regional brass bands. It is also significant as it shows the amount of local businesses who advertised in the programme, and what kinds of businesses they were. This was obviously a major event for the town and the local band, and it appears that it was a success.Programme printed on paper with a card cover.There are some inscriptions and corrections in the programme primarily on the brief history of the Mortlake Citizens' Band.hamilton, terang, warrnabool, colac, camperdown, port fairy, mortlake, victorian bands' league

This cash book is one of the earliest administrative books that exist in the Victorian Bands' League historical collection. The earlier years contain records of which bands paid affiliation to the League, and in later years there is detail on what the League spent money on, and how much they received in Government grants. Mentioned throughout the cash book are the names of prominent bandsmen and brass bands. Interestingly in the later pages of the records, for some reason a new page numbering system was used before it reverted back to single pages. Table of Contents: 1931 – p1-p3 1932 – p3-p12 1933 – p13-p14 1934 – p15-p19 1935 – p20-p21 1936 – p22-p23 1937 – p24-p25 1938 – p26-p27 1939 – p28-p29 1940 – p30-p31 1941 – p32-p33 1942 – p34-p35 1943 – p36 1944 – p37 1945 – p38 1946 – p39 1947 – p40-p41 1948 – p42 1949 – p43 1950 – p44-p45 1951 – p46-p46-2 1952 – p47-pp47-2 1953 – p48 1954 – p48-2 1955 – p49-p50 1956 – p51-p52 1957 – p53This notebook is significant to the history of the Victorian Bands' League as it details some very early history of the League from when it commenced operation in 1931. We see here lists of the first brass bands to affiliate with the League, as well as expenses that were paid out to various organisations and individuals. Aside from the historical details, we can also see changes in treasurer and the obvious changes in handwriting over the years.Card bound notebook with pages ruled with accounting linesvictorian bands' league, brass bands

This small program was produced for a Massed Bands event held at Elsternwick Park on the 14th of September, 1952 involving brass bands from all over Metropolitan Melbourne and one band from Geelong. Held under the patronage of the Victorian Bands' League, this event involved bands marching from Elsternwick Station to the oval, and then performing a selection of items either on the march or in massed band format. The event was adjudicated by Mr George Harris with trophies awarded to various brass bands. The Massed Bands event was held to raise funds for the Caulfield Citizens' Band who had recently lost their band room due to fire.This little program is of significance as it highlights a typical brass band event in Metropolitan Melbourne. These programs are rare and it indicates the popularity of them and the range of bands that would travel long distances to participate. In a dual purpose, this event also raised money for the local band and was obviously a highlight for the municipality. A small program printed on paper.caulfield district band, city of caulfield, victorian bands' league, caulfield citizens' band, williamstown city band, essendon citizens' band, ringwood citizens' band, malvern municipal band, geelong city municipal band, brunswick city municipal band, prahran city band

This small programme is for the Solo & Party Championships, incorporating a C & D Grade band contest conducted by the Heidelberg Eisteddfod Society under the patronage of the Victorian Bands' League. This part of the Eisteddfod was held from October 3rd - October 10th 1952. The program details lists of names of bands people and the instruments they played as well as numerous C & D grade bands that participated. Quite a number of the junior musicians were part of famous school and youth bands of the time. This Eisteddfod program is significant as it details a typical suburban Eisteddfod competition which included brass bands and brass musicians. The lists of names are also significant as they indicate which bands people had their start during this time and which bands they were part of. A small program 8 pages printed on paper.heidelberg eisteddfod society, victorian bands' league

This is a rare programme detailing a concert presented by the visiting Royal Marines Band, H.M.S. "Renown" and two local military bands, the Victorian Returned Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Band and the Victorian Railways Military Band. The concert was held at the Green Mill, Princes Bridge on Sunday 8th May, 1927. In the programme it can be seen that the bands presented several seperate items and also some combined items.This program is significant, not only for its rarity but also for the fact that it highlights one of the concerts that the Band of H.M.S. "Renown" participated in during their tour. It also shows two of Victoria's now defunct bands that existed at the time. Programme printed on card.royal marines band h.m.s. "renown", victorian returned soldiers' and sailors' memorial band, victorian railways military band

This is one of two newsletters produced by the Caulfield Citizens' Band titled "Band Age" which detail a little bit of the life and activities of this band. This set of newsletters are significant as they detail the life and activities of a typical brass band in the 1950's. Small newsletter printed on papercaulfield citizens' band, city of glen eira band

This is one of two newsletters produced by the Caulfield Citizens' Band titled "Band Age" which detail a little of the life and activities of this band.This set of newsletters are significant as they detail the life and activities of a typical brass band in the 1950's.Small newsletter printed on papercaulfield citizens' band, city of glen eira band

These small cards were handed out to people who were interested in attending a series of concerts presented by the City of Melbourne and featuring brass bands. While there is no detail on which bands were performing, concerts were held at the Sydney Myer Music Bowl and the Melbourne Town Hall, both prestigious venues. The cards were kindly donated to the Victorian Bands' League by bands person Lindsay Patterson.These rare cards indicate a prolonged initiative from the City of Melbourne to let bands play at some of the finest venues in Melbourne at the time. The cards would no doubt be iconic and useful for people who wanted to listen to the bands.5 small cards designed for pockets or wallets in distinctive colours.city of melbourne, victorian bands' league

This programme details the bands that participated in the 1934 brass band contests at South Street. Called the "Centenary" contest, it was a celebration of the first 100 years of the State of Victoria and attracted bands from across Australia and New Zealand. Special guests were the Duke of Gloucester and the Band of His Majesty's Grenadier Guards who were touring Australia at the time. The contest included all grades of bands and was judged a huge success.This programme is significant as it signifies a major historical even on the brass band calendar and the visits of eminent people from England. It also displays all the band from around Australia and New Zealand that took part, and the grades that they participated in. This programme shows how a typical brass band contest at South Street would have been run and the sections that were available to competitors. The item is a small programme printed on yellowed paper and covered with a soft card cover. This programme was designed to fit inside pockets.victorian bands' league, royal south street society, duke of gloucester, band of his majesty's grenadier guards, woolston brass band

Bandmaster Hugh McMahon is noted for conducing the McMahon's Brass Band (Hillgrove Brass Band) from 1892 - 1900. He was a very famous bandmaster and he, and his brothers, were all extremely competent musicians. In 1897 the McMahon's band competed in Tamworth and won the competition. Their closet rival, the Hillgrove Town Band was placed third. Unfortunately the McMahon's Band was wound up in 1900 when the six McMahon brother followed their brother John to the Western Australia goldfields at Kalgoorlie-Boulder.The photo is remarkable for its condition and completeness. Here we have a photo of 20 bandsmen who have just won a competition dressed in very neat suits. We can also see a distinctive crest on the bass drum and the two trombone players are playing valve trombones. The photo is also significant as it shows one of the two Hillgrove brass bands that were in existence at the time and this was while Hillgrove was a bustling mining town. The six famous McMahon brothers are all in this photo and this would be one of the rare photos of them playing in the one band.Sepia photo mounted on card.hugh mcmahon, harry mcmahon, john mcmahon, edward mcmahon, will mcmahon, alick mcmahon, mcmahon's band (hillgrove), hillgrove, hillgrove town band, tamworth, victorian bands' league

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