Our “Real” Music History
"Whyalla Citizens Band"
A summary of the Whyalla Concert Band from Hummock Hill Brass band
of 1912,
to Whyalla Concert Band in 2013…. And beyond!!
PICTURE: Believed to be Hummock Hill Brass Band, (Whyalla Citizen Band), 1912. The period clothing alone attests to the early 1900s! Re-produced for fair review. The original is available to all at; http://www.satiche.org.uk/vinbbp/phot6428.jpg
"A New Era"
Whyalla Community Brass has a proud association with the past Whyalla
Citizens Band, (Whyalla Concert Band) – not in its "disbandment”, but as retaining
past members of the Whyalla Citizens Band, (Concert
Band). Whyalla Community Brass has maintained contact with the surviving
relatives of past Bandmasters (Music Directors) and members, whom are
enthusiastically supporting the new entity known as
“Whyalla Community Brass”.
Many are known to members of Whyalla Community Brass, as are their relatives.
Whyalla Community Brass is determined to ensure that accurate history is told,
PICTURE RIGHT: Tanunda, home of the first brass band to be commenced in the Southern Hemisphere, hosts the South Australian Band Competitions. Whyalla is seen marching. The year is 1938.
to “Whyalla”, so too did the name of our town band. It then became known as “Whyalla Town Band”. It was
recorded that in 1925 a “bandstand was erected in Gay Street, opposite the Whyalla Institute and later lights
were installed at the beach so night concerts could be performed by band…” (Source; Earlier Whyalla News).
All of these transitions in the Whyalla Citizens Bands history can actually be said to mean that the band was
in fact 101 years old when "disbanded", in 2013! An important Whyalla milestone - for both the band and
Whyalla. ” (Source; http://www.whyallanewsonline.com.au/story/1936318/citizens-band-celebrates-89-years/)
What did happen in 1938 then?
The McBryde Terrace “Band Hall” was donated by
the Broken Hill Pty Ltd in 1938. “The Company”
maintained the premises, which also doubled as
the companies “Pay Office”. Thus Whyalla Citizens
Band became known what it is today. A life member
with Whyalla Citizens Band, (now with its “offshoot”,
Whyalla Community Brass), recalls the days of this
use. “There even used to be a security man
standing next to the stalls holding a rifle” Mr
Stewart said.
PICTURE: Northern Band Carnival: Whyalla and other Brass Bands
competing in the carnival at Port Pirie.
One of the most memorable performances of the newly instituted “Whyalla Citizens Band”, was on the visit of
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, to Whyalla, in 1954. Following the Queens visit, the Whyalla community
rallied to show support for the towns band. The public, local business and the Broken Hill Pty Ltd, donated
3,600 pounds to the band as a gift, ($7,200). This was a huge boost and went to the purchase of much
needed new instruments.
PICTURE: The re-named Whyalla Citizens Band - "Whyalla Concert
Band" renamed in 2002. Photo acknowledgement; Whyalla News.
In 1963, brass bands held the Northern Band Carnival, of
which Whyalla Citizen’s band was the winner. Our towns
band was “instrumental” in appearing at Whyalla’s annual
Christmas pageants, "Carols By Candlelight", (now "Carols in
the Park"), ANZAC Day services and other civic occasions,
which included the launching of ships at the Whyalla
Shipyards.
In 2002, the Whyalla Citizens Band changed its name to the
"Whyalla Concert Band". It was believed that this would open up membership to include all kinds of other
instrumentation. This move did not enhance the numbers of members however and in later years, through
transfers etc, numbers began to decline.
Whyalla Community Brass -
Far from "The Carnival is Over"!
Despite the now Whyalla Community Brass attempting to hold meetings with a representative of the Whyalla
Concert Band earlier in 2013, the group was disbanded shortly after, in a manner of months. The offshoot of
the Whyalla Concert Band, and the Whyalla Citadel Band by remaining band members, is now “Whyalla
Community Brass”. Far from “The Carnival is over”, Whyalla Community Brass continues to grow and
presently has ten uniformed members. We hope to continue the service, history and pride of brass banding in
Whyalla. To our knowledge and experience, Whyalla Citizens Band was not a member of any association -
other than that of the Band Association of S.A.
PICTURE: Official launch (Jessop White Park, Whyalla) – Whyalla’s evolved new brass band. Image showing
Southern Cross Television News Journalist recording vision for the Southern Cross News. March 2014.
Copyright;
Whyalla Community Brass, February 2015.
Sources include;
- Whyalla News; Archived articles, exact past dates unknown – (supplied by relatives).
- Surviving band member’s families; photos, documents & information. (Past Whyalla Concert/Citizens Band)- Whyalla Community Brass; Archives.
- Whyalla News; “Citizens’ band celebrates 89 years” November 28th, 2013. Source; http://www.whyallanewsonline.com.au/story/1936318/citizens-band-celebrates-89-years/
COPYRIGHT, 20120