Historical information

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.

Physical description

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, Ballarat

Inscriptions & markings

Written in pencil 214 Armstrong St Nth, Laura and Sarah Wright