Index, ill, plates, p.487.non-fictionThe story of traditional Irish music and its collectors and performersmusic - ireland - history and criticism, musicians - ireland

4 page A4 printed document. Achievements of Peter Ellis (for consideration for the Order of Australia) Peter is regarded as one of the leading collectors and presenters of traditional dance tunes, dances and musical instruments in Australia. At the 2005 National Folk Festival it was announced by Robyn Holmes that he has the largest selection of dance related material collected in the National Library Archives in Canberra. Peter has been collecting for many years and has collected with the late John Meredith (AM), Shirley Andrews (AM), Rob Willis and Dave Di Santi amongst others. Peter has literally travelled Australia collecting over the past thirty years. He has extensive field recordings from Western Australia and Tasmania in addition to his Victorian collection, for example. Most of his recording has been in North Western and Central Victoria. Peter collected a lot of his material from Harry McQueen ( Castlemaine), which led to a double CD of Harry's music. Harry had played in dance bands for over sixty years in Central Victoria. Harry had a number of tunes from Bill McGlashan who had taken Harry under his wing as a young man. Through Peter's efforts much valuable material and knowledge from almost a century ago was saved for posterity. Founder, Charter member and life member of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo. Life Member of the Victorian Folk Music Club. Recipient of the Graham Squance award (for the person who has done the most to promote folk dance and music in Victoria)) from the Folk Song and Dance Society of Victoria. Member of the famous Wedderburn Old Timers Band for over twenty-eight years (two platinum and several gold recordings in that time). Founder and leader of the Emu Creek Bush Band (twenty-nine years old in 2010) Emu Creek has made many CDs of dance music as listed. Friday Night at the Spring Gully Hop, Three double CDs called 'Quadrille Mania' which contain many rare dances and tunes which have been learnt and recorded, under Peter's guidance, so they would not be lost to posterity. A triple CD called 'Take Me Back To Bendigo' with heritage songs and music from the Gold Rush to Federation (solely organised and financed by Peter) These CDs show the multicultural heritage in Bendigo and include music and groups from the Koorie, Chinese, Cornish, German, Irish, Italian, Scots, English and Welsh communities of Bendigo and district. Upon his recovery of costs Peter has handed over copyright to the Bendigo Community so future profits go back into the community. Three double CDs called 'The Merry Country Dance' with dances and tunes going back to the time of Governor Lachlan Macquarie's Ball in 1804. Most of the tracks are performed by Emu Creek Following much practice under Peter's tutelage. For further authenticity Peter liaised with other musicians to record some tracks which were revived from almost two hundred years ago and have now been recorded using the instruments of the time. A three volume set of Bush Concert recordings (Vol 1 Goornong (launched Australia Day 2006 with any profits going to the Soldier's Memorial Hall Committee), Vol 2 Heywood and Vol 3 Maldon/Sutton Grange, already recorded and to be released as money from other projects becomes available. NOTE: None of these CDs have led to any profit. All money raised is put back into the community and further heritage recordings, books and videos through the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. In 2009 a full collection of all Peter's book and CDs was donated to the John Gorton Library as part of the recognition of the fifty year career of the Gay Charmers Dance Band from Lake Charm. 'Music of the Diggings' (4 tracks by Peter or Emu Creek). In addition the Emu Creek Band, under Peter's leadership, has appeared on a CD backing Bruce Watson on his song, 'The Old Bush Dance'. Emu Creek has performed at National Folk Festivals in four states and several times at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. They have also been mainstays of the Maldon Folk Festival for over twenty years as well as doing dance programs for the Port Fairy Folk Festival on two occasions. Peter has written and published many books related to traditional music and dance. These include Three volumes of 'Collectors Choice' which is musical notation for bush dances coupled with much dance history which would have been lost without Peter's efforts. 'Two Hundred Dancing Years - How to run a Colonial Ball: (co-authored with Shirley Andrews (A.M.), 'Music Makes Me Smile - The Music of the Nariel Valley' (co-authored with Harry Gardner). The Merry Country Dance' (292 pages) a companion to the three double CDs. He has also been a contributor to Verandah Music' authors Rob Willis and Graham Seal and 'The Oxford Companion to Australia Folklore' Ed Graham Seal. Peter is also a regular contributor to 'Trad and Now' Magazine. His latest completed book is titled 'The Merry Country Dance' and is over three hundred pages of social history, recipes and dance instructions. It was completed with the assistance of a Victorian Government Heritage Grant. The first edition sold out in only a few weeks. Peter has taught many children about old time musicianship through the junior bands which have functioned over the years with many children joining Emu Creek and then going on to follow their own musical inclinations. He has trained several young concertina and button accordion players over the years. Peter has been a regular tutor with Continuing Education in tin whistle, harmonica and old time dancing for many years. Peter has conducted workshops in music dance at National Folk Festivals in Perth, Alice Springs, Maleny, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kuranda and more recently at several Canberra National folk Festivals. He has also done this at Maldon for many years, Port Fairy, Glen Innes, Jamberoo and Kiama Festivals. For over thirty years Peter has been a guest player and MC for the dances at the Nariel Folk Festival (Australia's oldest continuing Folk Festival) Peter is very well known in the Corryong area as a collector and the co-author of the book, Music Makes Me Smile, about the Klippel/Simpson dynasty in the Nariel Creek Band. This book is currently being revised for re-issue as more material has come to light since the original publication. For many years Peter trained Debutante Sets in the Bendigo District. Peter was an instigator of the annual Dinki Di Ball held each September in Eaglehawk for the past thirteen years. At this ball three bands play for a quarter of the night and then join together for the final part of the evening. The bands are Emu Creek, The Wedderburn Old Timers and the Gay Charmers. Up to four hundred dancers, many in heritage costumes have attended this dance. The ball also pays tribute to, and involves, the old MC's. Through this example their skills have been passed down to a younger generation of MC's. All profits are returned to the Dance Club to foster our musical heritage. Each Ball includes presentations designed to promote social dancing in Australia. Over the years several young musicians have been presented with musical instruments at the Ball, libraries have been given copies of Peter's books and CDs and one year a keen young dancer was presented a pair of dancing shoes. Peter is a trained ballroom dancer and has gained gold medal status in this field. Peter is an accomplished musician and is one of Australia's foremost button accordion players. He is also highly accomplished on the tin whistle, bones and harmonica. He is the only exponent of the Swanee whistle that I have seen. Peter also plays the piano and ukulele. Thirty six years membership of the Bendigo Field Naturalists Club, Secretary in the 1970s and actively involved in campaigns to save Lake Pedder and establish the Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks (now part of the Bendigo National Park). Peter was also extremely active in the establishment of the Salomon's Gully and Jackass Flat Flora Reserves in Bendigo which have now been saved for posterity. Peter has also been involved in efforts to save One Tree Hill and this area has now been included in the Greater Bendigo National Park. He has discovered and named new plant species in the Whipstick Forest and propagates Australian plants. Peter takes regular guided tours of interested people through the Whipstick each Spring on wild flower educational tours. He is a keen and gifted photographer of local plant species. Life member of the Bendigo Field Naturalists. Peter contributed text and photographs to their publication 'Wildflowers of Bendigo'. When the Victorian State Parliament had its first historical sitting outside Melbourne Emu Creek played during lunch for the guests and public. They have also played at functions such as the Centenaries of Federation, the Bendigo Post Office, the Shamrock Hotel and the opening of the new Melbourne Museum and the Federation Museum in Bendigo. The band regularly plays for Seniors week and at homes for the aged such as Bethlehem, Mirridong, Bignold Park, Bendigo Village and others. Peter has been instrumental in getting the band to play for fundraisers such as schools, scouts and environmental groups. The band plays many charitable 'gigs'. The band supports the Bendigo Easter Fair and the Eaglehawk Fair when able and has appeared in several parades over the years. The above list shows the invaluable contribution that Peter Ellis has made towards the collecting and distributing of Australia's musical and dance heritage. No one has done more than Peter in this area. He has also been active locally and nationally in his endeavours towads saving the natural environment. He has put many years of time and energy into both area's and has many on going projects in mind for the years ahead. The awarding of an honour from Australia would be just reward for a man who has preserved so much of our musical and dance heritage for future generations. Knowing Peter I have no doubt he would treasure such an honour as he has given so much to preserve Australia's music and dance heritage over most of his sixty plus years. Compiled by John Williams. Handwritten notes at bottom of last page reads: Referees Jacinta Allan MLA Steve Gibbons MHR Willie Carney ex Mayor of Bendigo Supporting letter Mary Smith Sec. Bush Dance + Music Club.person, individual, peter ellis oam

The Bendigo Weekend Festival of Organ & Harpsichord, various historical Bendigo sites. 17-19 November 1978. Held at Bendigo City Hall, Bendigo Art Gallery, Dudley House St Killian's, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Long Gully Uniting Church. Program. Booking Form. John Maidment President Melbourne International Festival of Organ and Harpsichord (MIFOH is financially assisted by the Australian Council and The Ministry for the Arts. La Romanesca, music ensemble with counter-tenor Hartley Newham. Richard Ireland - harpsichordist. Festival BBQ at Dudley House meet musicians in the charming gardens of Dudley House, the century-old premises of the Bendigo Historical Society - and an opportunity to view the museum there too. 107 year old German organ which has just been restored, played by Douglas Lawrence assisted by John Maidment. Trumpet by leading composers. Mass Father J P Stockdale with Festival Choir conducted by Douglas Lawrence. Annette Holland - Soprano: oboe, organ, percussion and harpsichord. Advertisement: The Ninth Melbourne International Festival of Organ and Harpsichord 9-19 May '79. Enquiries N Brozel, Project Co-coordinator (03) 41 4934 Promotion: Nada Brozel.event, entertainment, bendigo weekend festival of organ &, the bendigo weekend festival of organ & harpsichord, various historical bendigo sites. 17-19 november 1978. held at bendigo city hall, bendigo art gallery, dudley house st killian's, sacred heart cathedral, long gully uniting church. program. booking form. john maidment president melbourne international festival of organ and harpsichord. la romanesca, music ensemble counter-tenor hartley newham. richard ireland - harpsichordist. festival bbq at dudley house meet musicians in the charming gardens of dudley house, the century-old premises of the bendigo historical society - opportunity to view the museum. 107 year old german organ which has just been restored, played by douglas lawrence assisted by john maidment. trumpet by leading composers. mass father j p stockdale with festival choir conducted by douglas lawrence. annette holland - soprano: oboe, organ, percussion and harpsichord. advertisement: the ninth melbourne international festival of organ and harpsichord 9-19 may '79. enquiries n brozel, project co-coordinator (03) 41 4934 promotion: nada brozel

Black and white photo of The Ellesmere Brass Band. Most of the men have a brass instrument. At the front are two drums. Stuck to the back is a yellow sticky note with Ellesmere written at the top. Under that is Irish connection? Trad - - gear. Harp on lapel. - La Trobe Collection.photo, group, musicians, peter ellis collection, the ellesmere brass band, la trobe collection

Irish poet and balladeer Thomas Moore, best-known for penning The Minstrel Boy and The Last Rose of Summer, is honored in this statue prominently located in Sturt Street created by sculptor George Grant from white Carrara marble. George Grant was trained at the School of Art associated with the National Gallery of Victoria, apparently in the 1880s, and then worked as an artist, specialist house painter, and banner artist. Several of his paintings are held by the Ballarat Art Gallery. Moore`s writings range from lyric to satire, from prose romance to history and biography. His popular "Irish Melodies" appeared in ten parts between 1807 and 1835. Moore was a good musician and skillful writer of songs, which he set to Irish tunes, mainly of the 18th century. This statue is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of Ballarat.Marble statue of Thomas Moore above a large sandstone pillar West: Presented to the City Council of Ballaarat by the following citizens: H.F. Elliot, The Honorable E. Morey M.L.C., Cr C.R. Retallick, Cr J. Heinz. South: R.S. Mitchell, P. Papenhagen, T. Elliot, J. Snow, G.K. Coutts, C. Bailey, J.J. Goller & Co, W.E. Ballhausen, G. Thompson, W.H. Figgis. North: S. Seward, F.G. Haymes, Craig Williamson, R. Giddings, G. Berry, R. Inge, J.A. Pittard, L. Lederman, H. Bremer, D. Jones. thomas moore

Ill, p.95.A collection of personal stories from 32 past and present members of the Melbourne branch of the worldwide Irish cultural organisation, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann, produced to mark the 50th anniversary of Melbourne Comhaltas.The stories, collected by oral history interview, are accompanied by photographic portraits of each subject. The stories explore themes of immigration, culture and heritage, and feature, among others, prominent members of the Melbourne Irish scene, such as:-Accordion legend Paddy Fitzgerald-Set dancing teacher Marie Brouder-Prolific musician Tony O'Neill-Leader of the Melbourne Comhaltas band, Joan Mundy. Among the people interviewed are Irish expats, second- and third-generation Australians, and people from Scotland, Japan and the Ukraine.The book includes forewords from Irish Ambassador to Australia, Breandán Ó Caollai - Director-General of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Éireann, Dr. Labhrás Ó Murchú· and Melbourne Comhaltas President, Mary McBride.cultural societies - irish - melbourne, irish music and dancing

On Monday the 5th of May, 1986, the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria (AFV) held a special fundraising dinner and auction during National Arthritis Week. The Celebrities Dinner was held to fund the foundation's strategic plan for the next three years. In this photo, Mike Kurts holds up a Seekers billboard for auction during the event. This photo appears on the cover (page 1) of the No 41, August 1986 issue of the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria's quarterly newsletter, News Review. It is captioned: "Mike Kurts helps with the Auction of an item donated by Athol Guy, a Seekers billboard from their last concert in Londonderry (Ireland) before the bombs went off! (Circa 1965). The Seekers Billboard raised $240.00 for the foundation." An article promoting the upcoming event, titled "Athol Guy Heads Appeal", appears on page 5 of the No 40, April 1986 issue of News Review.B&W photo of a man holding up an advertising billboard. The text on the billboard is, "THE WORLD FAMOUS SEEKERS BALLROOM ARCADIA CORK SUNDAY NOVEMBER 21 9-2 7/8". There is some additonal text in smaller font which is illegible. Placed around various points on the billboard are the song titles "I'll Never Find Another You", "In A World Of Our Own", and "The Carnival Is Over". In the background, there are groups of people seated at round tables.[Typed directly onto the photo in black ink] MIKE KURTS HELPS WITH THE AUCTION OF THE ITEM DONATED BY ATHOL GUY, A SEEKERS BILLBOARD FROM THEIR LAST CONCERT IN LONDONDERRY (IRELAND) BEFORE THE BOMBS WENT OFF! (circa 1965) THE SEEKERS BILLBOARD RAISED $240 FOR THE FOUNDATION. [Handwritten in black ink] 70% [There is a line drawn diagonally across the photo in pencil.]arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, national arthritis week, afv, fundraising, celebrities dinner, auction, mike kurts, seekers, billboard, arcadia ballroom, music venue, cork ireland, athol guy, musician, donation, 1986