ANZAC DAY SINGAPORE 2011
By Ralph Daines
Anzac Day 2011 has been and gone and another foray into Singapore by the Association has also gone the same way and the Association members can be justifiably proud of their mates who did a great job both for the Association and also for Australia.
As I reflect on the trip I ask myself, did I ask too much from the group and the answer is probably yes, but every single person gave their all and then some more. As with those members who travelled last year, everyone who went wanted to play music and they sure did their best and played a lot of gigs AND those lips were sure hanging out. We performed at 3 school Anzac Services,2 Concerts, Dawn Service and Gunfire Breakfast plus rehearsals in 7 days, a lot of work especially with a Band that had never played together before and some members of the Band who had never met before and with an average age of around 70, remarkable.
The numbers for this year were the same as last year, a Band of 25, with 14 players backing up again from last year. We were joined by ex-Army Major, Bruce Munchenberg on Euphonium and he aint half bad a player. Bruce had RMC Band for a number of years and he fitted in with us as if he had been there all the time, a pleasure to have him with us. Also joining us as an “outsider” was Arnis Tillers on Baritone Sax, he plays in Rob Bedwell’s Central Coast Band and he added a lot of character
to the Band as well as his great playing, again a pleasure having him with us. Both players are welcome to join us any time. At both Concerts and Anzac Day we were joined by the Music staff from the Australian International School Singapore, Head of Music Simon Hughes on Trombone, Jenny Grimley on Flute, Wayne Elliot on Trumpet (Wayne was a members of Rob Bedwell’s Band as a youngster), Mark Waltho on Trumpet and Murray Wilton on Timpani, they fitted in superbly and really helped. The assistance the AISS afford us is irreplaceable, with stands and instruments etc, etc, we couldn’t do it without them.
Whilst the musicians practiced musicianing, the ladies were treated to a harbour cruise, lunch at one of the new hotels on Sentosa Island and a trip to the Botanic Gardens as well as a bit of shopping, I happened to notice. The ladies also attended each of the performances and I guess they were our groupies.
One of the highlights was the Concert at the International School where we played to a packed house of paying customers. We performed 22 pieces in over 2 hours with 3 conductors, Bill Farrell, Robert Bedwell and Vic Knowles and were also joined by the School Choir and Brass Ensemble who added their touches, also to add to the colour the Naval Cadets from TS Sirius joined us for the Finale which was compered by Commander Anderson Director of Music Navy in his capacity as OIC TS Sirius. For the Finale on stage we had 2 former Directors of Music, Bill Farrell (conducting) and Vic Knowles plus the current Director, a first I’m sure.
The amazing feat was that we started at 0730 with pick-ups and ended at 2230 at the School, we rehearsed, provided musical support for the Middle School Anzac Service, a full rehearsal with the staff, a quick trip for a change of uniforms then the Concert, I’m sure I could have found something else for us to do.
The following day we were privileged to be given a private tour of Changi Museum by the Director, Jaya Ayadurai which was both very emotional and informative. We followed this up with a Concert for the public which was relaxed and went over very well. After this, another first, the Museum was opened for a reception for us, during which Kerry Ellis presented to the Museum some wartime memorabilia of her Grandfather, a former prisoner at Changi.
Following a two day break Anzac Day dawned and we were once again at Kranji War Cemetery and Memorial for our final day of the trip. Even though the majority of us had been here last year the emotions of the morning were as new as the first time and everyone clicked into gear and away we went, sound check with the AISS Choir, 0600 the Band starts playing for the pre-service, 0630 Errol Hatch marches on with the Catafalque Party of Kiwis and the Dawn Service was underway. Once again a large crowd was in attendance, about 2000, and again many officials from various countries made the time to thank us.
We then played for the crowds at the Gunfire Breakfast before heading for “home” to change for our final performance for the Junior School AISS Anzac Service. After saying farewell to the School we headed for the White Ensign Club for a farewell get-together which after two food deliveries, much bubbly and lots of fun it was time to go and the emotions ran very high I must admit.
Once again Singapore is over and each and every one who went made us proud, a lot of playing, sore lips, new friends and a belief that even with our many disabilities we can still do it. The one thing that makes the Singapore trip, and I hope always in future events, a success is that the ladies are not left to fend for themselves, we make sure there is always something to keep them occupied whilst we are otherwise occupied, and because every single person pays their own way we endeavour to provide as many meals as possible.
Are we going next year? If there are enough members interested in making up a Band, we are very welcome in Singapore, but the money needed to pay the bills needs to be raised, so I guess if I can find the funds, the answer is yes.
Ralph Daines.
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