Monica Miller was taught to sing by Ballarat Teacher Madame Warburton, and in her youth competed as a singer in Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong. She received her early musical training in piano, violin and singing at Ballarat's Loreto College. Monica Miller was runner up in the Sun Aria, coming second by one point. In 1946 she started lecturing at Ballarat Teachers' College (BTC) in a few rooms at the back of Dana Street State School, and retired from the Gillies Street Teachers' College site in 1965. Speech Training was also the domain of Monica Miller at BTC. Her Speech Training class notes include: Voice, Articulation parts, Correct positions for consonants, vowels and diphthongs, Phonetic Styles, Correction of Speech Defects, Speech Training in the schools, Poetry Appreciation, Rhythm, Lessons for country classes, Lessons for Student Teacher Classes and Lessons to Grades. Monica Miller died on 25 February 1995. women of note, monica miller, madame warburton, competed in singing, ballarat, bendigo, geelong, sun aria, ballarat teachers' college, btc, dana street state school, gillies street, speech training, 1946-1965, poetry appreciation, rhythm, phonetic styles, correction of speech defects

Frank Wright became well known in Brass Band circles. Born in Smeaton, he competed at Ballarat's South Street, conducted the Ballarat Brass Band, and the Ballarat Soldiers' Memorial band before leaving Australia for England as Bandmaster for St Hilda's Brass Band. Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born in 1901. 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.Brown leather pouch with silver coloured metal clasp. The item belonged to Frank Wright of Smeaton."Bro. F.J. Wright, Yarrowee Lodge, No 10. V.C.frank wright, yarrowee lodge