PROGRAMMES/BOOKLETS
This section will contain all those Drill Manuals, booklets and programmes that were issued to us or collected through our years in the service. From the Drummers hand Book (Still looking for one) through to those programmes from concerts, hopefully they will make there way to this section through your generosity.
PROGRAMMES/BOOKLETS
This section will contain all those booklets and programmes that were issued to us or collected through our years in the service. From the Drummers hand Book (Still looking for one) through to those programmes from concerts, hopefully they will make there way to this section through your generosity.
OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS BAND & CINEMA COMPLEX 26thMARCH 1997
Supplied by Mick ReedA significant program celebrating the opening of a great complex.
The Ceremonial Silver Drums
Thanks to Robin Himbury, the Silver Drums now have their pride of place in the history of the Royal Australian Navy Band. Through his book, "The Evolution of the Royal Australian Navy Band", the whole story is there for past and present members of the Band and public to read. This is his story.
The Library
The Library is a growing archive of photos, music and video presenting a history of the Royal Australian Navy Band up to today and into the future. The categories we have created should cover every aspect of the Bands achievements. It will provide a detailed insight into the life of the individual characters that made up the band and the events, ships and conflicts the band participated in over the last 98 years.
We suggest you keep revisting the categories as often as possible as inclusions will appear daily.
Enjoy the journey and help expand this library by submiting your photos and images for inclusion. Contact Errol at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on how best to get your history to us.
Select the category and then drill down to the section you want to view.
PAST ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTERS
Its taken awhile but we have now found a satisfactory method of displaying our past newsletters to all our association members. This format is quick to view and does not rely on any other PDF programs to display.
We suggest you keep revisting this section as there are so many newsletters to load and it is going to take some months before it is completed.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES
This section devotes itself to all those treasured pieces of memorabilia we have collected over the years. From Concert programmes to cetificates, Manuals to special things that reminded us of a significant event, it is here that we can display them for members to read and see.
MEMORABILIA
This section devotes itself to all those treasured pieces that were collected as we went about our duties. We kept them for prosperity, why, good question at the time, but now we can look back at them and reflect. If you have anything that reflects your time in the Band let us know.
SCHOOL OF MUSIC PROMOTION LEAFLET
Produced in 1969 and released in 1970 all the boys were from the school from what looks like the 1968 intake. Recognised faces are Louis Burdett, Pat Gallagher, John Lennon, Taffy Thatcher, Fred Blake (Cornet), The Hanratty Brothers, Red Hillier, Gary Sander, Jacko(F/Hn, Gtr), Michael Robinson, Shorty Butler and a couple of faces I can't pick, maybe you can.......
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVAL RESERVE OPEN DAY, FREMANTLE, 1989
Supplied By Mick Reed
The Open days were one of many busy schedules the Fremantle Port Division Band took part in. Interesting to note they had a vacancy for a Band Officer at the time. Ken McCallum was the Drum major in the Photo.
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE OPENING 1973
Provided by Glenda Newham, January 2013.
Greg Newham's pass to have access to the Opera House for rehearsals and the final performances. Greg was on HMAS Melbourne at the time.
A MUSICAL EVENING, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA, 1981.
Provided By, Vic Knowles. (Nov 2011)
This was a quite an event and the programme was full on with a concert conducted by Lt Vic Knowles and Lt Ashley Greedy and the Beat the Retreat headed by LCR Bill Farrell, Director of Music. The signatures were the Govenor and Lady Cowen.
FROM Gerry Foster (Jan 2013)
HMAS PENGUIN EMBLEM
Sent through to Ralph Daines from Gerry Foster is this embroided emblem which has a bit of history. A small group of bandies from Penguin made a recording with Rolf Harris around 1969 and for payment were gifted a splendid jacket with the emblem. The jacket as Gerry say's, was top shelf quality from Evers' and Cohen Tailors and I still have it. The buttons on the jacket were unique as they were a gold plate with the Navy Crown in Sterling Silver. Gerry had a bit of design influence with the layout of the Lyre and the Ship (Penguin) in the enbroidery.
WARDROOM MESS DINNER 1977.
Provided by, Jim Hawkins (Jan 2013)
Wardroom Mess Dinner commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar 21/10/1977. The conductor was CPOMusn Alan Woodhouse.
FROM ROB HIMBURY. (Dec 2012)
Drawing from gifted cartoonist and excellent clarinet player Kevin James O'Leary (Dec). The cartoon was put onto the front page copy of Rob's HMAS Melbourne - 25 years by Kevin.
THEORY OF MUSIC
August 1970
Provided by: Errol Hatch (Oct 2012)
Its probably the only Diploma I ever got and I don't ever remember sitting for it. I do remember half a dozen of us doing lessons with Chris (Phooby) Marshall who was our theory teacher at the school, but I thought we spent most of the time listening to those bawdy recordings he was doing at the time. I think the practical side of being chucked in the deep end taught us more than a classroom.
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE OPENING
20th October 1973.
Provided By: Errol Hatch. (Oct 2012)
We all received one for participation in that very eventful and if I remember busy day. I forgot that I had it until I was going through all my old files looking for some more photo's for the site.
DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Prize Day Presentation and Concert Programme, 18th of June 1992.
Provided by, Vic Knowles. (Nov 2011)
This programme is interesting reading. Some of the names of the school staff and recipients are very familiar as are some of the awards.
The signature at the end is to Elizabeth (Vic's wife) from...........
CORONATION CRUISE 1953
Tobruk Anzac Day Service. 23rd April 1953
ORDER OF SERVICE PROGRAMME
Provided By, Gordon Crompton. (May 2012)
A very significant programme kept by Gordon Crompton for nearly 60 years, detailing the service held on the 23rd of April 1953 by the Coronation contingent. A definite piece of history.
The signature in pencil is that of the curator of the grounds at the time.
HISTORIC DOCUMENTS.
This category is a collection of many things that weren't deemed significant at the time but again we held onto them. From communiques to awards, anything the Navy Band was involved in will eventually turn up here. If you have anything that fits this category let us know and we will collect it and place in this section.
Coronation Cruise of HMAS Sydney 1953.
RAN Combined Band Tour of New South Wales & South Queensland August 1966
1991 Navy Week Personnel List.
History of the RAN to 1990.
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY TO 1990
Supplied By Mick Reed.
A detailed history of the RAN up to 1990. It covers all the wars the RAN participated in and is quite a good read.
1991 NAVY WEEK PERSONNEL LIST AND BAND CONFIGURATIONS.
Supplied By: Mick Reed.The combined Bands from all Reserve Divisions and Perms from Naval Support, VNB and Fleet Band are on this List. A total of 160 plus players and support staff took part in the 80th Anniversary.
RAN Combined Band Tour of New South Wales & South Queensland August 1966
Provided By JIM HAWKINS. (Jan 2013)
An important record of one of many of the Band tours during the 60's and 70's. This tour covers as many remember a staggering number of towns and cities through the north of New South Wales and South Queensland.
RAN Combined Band Tour of South Australia and Victoria, 28th of Aug - 25th Sept 1965.
Provided By JIM HAWKINS. (Jan 2013)
An important record of the combined band tour of South Australia and Victoria in 1966.
CORONATION CRUISE BY HMAS SYDNEY 1953
Provided by, Gordon Crompton. (May 2012)
This little treasure was tucked away in Gordon's cabinet along with other important documents. It is a great read and supplements the Coronation cruise booklet written by Jim (Doc) Macleod, Compiled by Jim Hawkins.
The Ship's We Served On
Ship's served is a pictorial by year of all the ships and establishments served on by musicians of the Royal Australian Navy. Descriptions tell the story of the photo and event, personnel and ship's location in the photo.
From the SHIPS SERVED ON tab, select a year to view current pictures and stories. As with all the selections on the site they will be updated daily, so submit your photo's to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for inclusion.
NEW Victorian web site http://navyvic.net
A new site that links Victorian Naval veterans together through a website and electronic newsletter.
Associations Past Events
Since it's inception the association has held many official and not so official reunions and get togethers. From the memorable 2000 reunion in Sydney to the Perth Anzac Day in 2005, through to Ballina, Singapore and Echuca, all have had their special moments.
But one thing that comes out of all of these gatherings is the continued commeradery and respect shown to all when where together.
From the Association Past Events tab, select a year then a Event to view the pictures and stories. As with all the selections on the site they will be updated daily, so submit your photo's and stories for inclusion to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Major Events
The Royal Australian Navy Band can be associated with some of the most memorable major events undertaken in Australia and overseas on behalf of the Australian government and the Navy. The Coronation in 53 to the Melbourne Olympics, The Sydney Opera house opening to the parades of returned servicemen from conflicts, all have been substantial in there musical effect on the general public and their perception of the Royal Australian Navy Band.
There are so many of these events over the last 98 years this section will grow and grow as the site develops and contributions are sent in.
From the Major Events tab, select a year then an Event to view the pictures and stories. As with all the selections on the site they will be updated constantly, so please submit your photo's and stories for inclusion to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Reserve bands
Each state had one (up until recently) and they are an important part of the RAN to provide the official and ceremonial requirements in their state were a permanent band could not be available. Not entirely made up of ex-perms but by musicians that enjoyed the ceremonial occasion's and the satisfaction that comes with playing with a professional band.
This section is a testament to the history of these bands and the continued importance for their existance. Primarily sorted by state then year this section will also include the all important ACT's with the perms at the specific depot's.
From the Reserve Bands tab, select a state then a year to view the pictures and stories. As with all the selections on the site they will be updated constantly, so please submit your photo's and stories for inclusion to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
