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 AustraliaBlack and white photograph of a man and a woman seated on a wicker couch on the verandah of a brick house. The man wearing a suit, has his arm around the woman who is dressed in a wrap around garment. The man is Frank Wright and the woman is his mother, Sarah Wright. The place is 214 Armstrong Street North in Ballarat.frank wright, sarah wright, ballarat, cornet, wicker couch, frank wright, sarah wright, ballarat, cornet, wicker couch

Sarah Wright was married to a gold miner named William. They lived at Laura Villa, Smeaton. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank Wright their son was born and attended Smeaton State School and was a renown resident of Smeaton. 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. Laura Ritchie was his sister and lived in Ballarat with her family. A black and white photo of two women sitting on a wicker couch on the verandah of a brick house. The older woman is wearing a dressing gown and slippers and the younger woman is wearing a light coloured suit. The women are Sarah Wright and her daughter Laura Ritchie. The house is Laura's home at 214 Armstrong Street Nth, BallaratWritten in pencil 214 Armstrong St Nth, Laura and Sarah Wrightsarah wright, laura ritchie, frank wright, cornet, ballarat

Black & white photo of 3 children. 1 child boy, sitting on wicker chair, wearing shirt with white lace collar, shorts, black socks & black shoes. I child girl standing, wearing white dress with white lace collar, long hair tied back, black tights, black shoes. 1 child girl sitting on wicker couch, wearing black shirt, white dress, black socks & black shoes. Carpet on floor. Embossing on frameperson, group, children

Cabinet Portrait of a boy and a girl. The girl, Ivy May Muriel Dower (Born 1891 Bendigo, Died 1980.), is seated on a wicker couch and holding a doll. The boy Jack is John Adrian Dower, (Born 1893 Rochester, Died 1952 Paynesville) is standing to the front of the couch and holding a bat? On the back is written: To Grandma (Elizabeth Dower (Born 1833) from Ivy & Jack. Parents of Jack and Ivy are (James Martin Dower Born 1859, Fryers Creek, Victoria and Died 11th October 1942 at Brighton. Mother was Florence Amy Chalmer, Born 1867, Sandhurst, Vic, Died 13th August , Brighton Vic.1953). Dowar, Dunstan and Opie names are related and are associated with Bendigo district. The photo is part of an album with other members not identified as yet. Coincidentally Neville Davies from the BHS has this photo in his family history photographs. Contact Neville for details of who Ivy and Jack and Grandma actually are. Neville Davies provided information for the above.Alan Spicer, Bendigophotograph, portrait, dower family, cabinet portrait of a boy & girl, alan spicer bendigo, dower, dunstan and opie families related. part of an album.