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