Australian Army Band Corps Association
Wagga Wagga NSW Reunion
Friday 21 October - Sunday 23 October 2011
Reunion Report
This report provides members with an overview of the 2011 Reunion and the AGM held on Saturday 21October 2011.
The 2011 annual AABC Association Reunion was held in Wagga Wagga, NSW this year and with the large numbers of members who attended the weekend was an enormous success. Special thanks goes to the reunion committee, which included Peter Guest, Mario Vidal (Reunion Treasurer), Geoff Wilson, Mick Avramovic and Byron Bootes for the help in planning, providing advice and assisting with the execution of the entire weekend. During the planning stages the Director of Music, LTCOL McLean indicated that he was looking to conduct the Corps Conference at Kapooka this year to coincide with the reunion. This proved to be a successful initiative with many of the officers and warrant officers from the conference staying on for most of the activities during our weekend. Our thanks go out to the Music Director, Major Peter Thomas, of the Australian Army Band Kapooka (AABK) for his support and advice in the first part of the year. Unfortunately Peter didn't attend the reunion as he was on long service leave. The Band's 2IC, Captain Darren Cole carried on in Peter's absence and organised the band's excellent musical and logistical support throughout the whole weekend, which was very much appreciated by our members and their partners.
Friday 21 October 2011
Association Golf Day - The Golf Day, held at the Wagga Wagga City Club course, was again successful with twenty two players taking on the long course. All of us that participated had a great time visiting all parts of the course, looking through the long grass, dodging kangaroos and sprinklers, even losing a ball or four. But this didn't deter us from having a great day's golf. Congratulations to the group winners of the AABC Association trophy - Grant Mason, Michael Marsh, Denise and Mick Avramovic with a winning score in the Ambrose format of 58.5.
Street March/Mayoral Reception - Prior to our official ‘meet and greet' at the motel, we had originally planned that the AABK would exercise their ‘right of freedom to the City of Wagga Wagga. However, due to the Kapooka open day being rescheduled to the same weekend as ours, this needed to be changed. It was proposed that the Band still march, but the members of the Association were also invited to participate by marching down the main street behind the Band. When we did form up for the march, over eighty of our members took to the street behind the Band who led the march. Our Patron, the Honorary Colonel, the Director and many past Directors of Music joined us in the ranks marching along with senior members of the Association and the younger and newer members. Following the march, the Band and the Association were invited to a Mayoral Reception in the Civic Theatre, where the newly elected Mayor, Councillor Kerry Pascoe, welcomed the Association members to Wagga Wagga. The Mayor expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Band for their service to the community over many years. He also made mention that most of the Association members would have served as members of the band during that time. He concluded by presenting a plaque to the Association.
Meet and Greet - Following the reception the members held their ‘meet and greet' at the Country Comfort Premier Motel, where most of the weekend's activities would be conducted. A light buffet was served to over well 100 members and their partners who attended the function.
Saturday 22 October 2011
Partners Outing - At 9.00am, thirty partners of the members boarded a coach and were taken on a guided tour of Wagga Wagga, organized by the Council. They then travelled to Junee to visit the Licorice and Chocolate Factory, where a devonshire tea was served. At around 12.30pm they returned to the motel bearing delicious treats.
Association AGM - The President, Mr Pat Steer opened the meeting at 9.30 am and welcomed all eighty two members who were present. He asked that a vote of thanks be recorded in the minutes for this year's reunion organizing committee led by Kevin Noon and his reunion committee, Peter Guest, Mario Vidal, Geoff Wilson, Mick Avramovic and Byron Bootes. This was carried by acclamation.
The President also thanked Bob Keatch (Immediate Past President) for the presentation of an attractive gavel base for use at meetings. This was made by Bob's son. The original gavel and plate base (smashed to pieces at the Darwin Reunion in 2010) was made by Barry Rodgers.
Departed Members - The President asked all members to stand for a minutes silence for those Association members who passed away during the year (2010/2011). In addition, the names of the seven soldiers who died on active service since the Second World War were acknowledged. Lest We Forget!
Apologies - Harry Jenkins, Stewart Clark, Bob Keatch, Peter Tuck, Bob Butcher, Mick Butcher, Don Jarrett, Scott Gourlay, Ken Hussell, John McGregor, Merv Allis, Fred & Ilene Gfeller, Ian Milne, Viv Littlewood, Frank Rugers, Bill Quirk, Ken Holcroft, Ernie Trotter, Stu Colhoun, Bruce Munchenberg, Norm Harris, Craig Johnson, Dennis Hills, Andy Ryder, Sean O'Boyle, Eric Anderson, Rod Sandercock, Ian Thomson, Steve Hladio, Ian Cocking, Jeff Currie, Kevin Batterbury, Colleen Harboard, Vince Pacecca, Fred Rooke, Joan Larner, Howard Ward, Geoff Whitman, Joe Costello, Errol Robinson, Brigadier Mark Bornholt , Norm Simms, Peter Cobcroft (Total 44).
Minutes from the Previous Meeting - The minutes from the previous meeting held in Darwin in 2010 were read. Moved: Norm Austin Seconded: Geoff Carter. Carried.
Business Arising - There was no business arising.
Presidents Report - The President's report was read (see attached) Moved: Stan Holland
Seconded: Bill Honter. Carried.
Treasurers Report - The Treasurer's report (attached) was read. Moved: Neville LLoyd
Seconded: Wally Williams. Carried.
Election of Office Bearers - All office bearers were re-elected unopposed. They are:
President - Patrick Steer, Vice President - Ivan Cocking, Secretary - Kevin Noon, Treasurer - Jim ‘Shad' Harper, Committee - Neville Lloyd, Peter Guest, Grahame Johnson, Bill Honter, Bob Keatch (Immediate Past President)
Director of Music-Army Brief - LTCOL Ian McLean addressed the meeting and spoke about the restructure and downsizing of the AABC, its impact on the Corps and the transition that will take place.
Why the Restructure - The Director explained that the current restructure and downsizing of our full-time (Regular Army) component was the result of an Army wide direction in 2009 relating to Army's 'hollowness'. He said capabilities, corps and units that had existing hollowness would be immediately reviewed. He said the AABC fell into this category and after the initial direction, the Terms of Reference (TOR) was widened to become a review of the AABC's entire musical capability and its establishment. The Director explained that this review included all full-time, all part-time (Army Reserve) and all Regimental Bands that are part of Army's musical capability; the latter do not belong to the Directorate of Music-Army. He said the result was a reduction in the full-time establishment to 166 personnel, substantially higher than what some areas of the Army desired. He said there was no change to the Reserve component and said it was actually a slight increase.
Where we are up to - LTCOL McLean said working out the new structure, where to hold this new establishment and what the Bands would sound and look like had to be worked through. He said as part of a larger process we needed to work through the finer details called a ‘Force Modernisation Review' that looks at the complete package at all levels, including equipment, personnel, duty statements, rank structure, and locations.
Where we are going - The Director said that the Corps is moving towards a more contemporary sound and a leaner structure, focusing on troop centric areas. He said all bands will have a fundamental rock band and stage band capability. Only RMC Band will retain a full-time concert band due to their increased ceremonial requirements. He said that decision had not been made lightly, but was necessary in an establishment of only 166. He said it also brings us in to line musically with what our varying customers/units are expecting from our Corps, particularly the rock band component. He said concert bands can be maintained in the majority of locations where the band also has a part-time capability; with the exception of the RMC Band in Canberra. He said the concert band will no longer be our musical foundation of base. LTCOL McLean said this is an exciting time for the AABC and the transition over the next few years and into the future will be more carefully planned than when we converted from brass bands to concert bands almost forty years ago and the cut backs in 1973 after National Service ceased. He said no one will be out of a job and we are taking steps now to assist in the transition. He said those who elect will have a couple of years for transition and will be provided funding for retraining if required.
Bruce Pinney Award - The recipient of the Association's Bruce Pinney Award was announced for 2011 and was awarded to LCPL Justin Kennedy from AABK. The award of a minstrel boy statuette and framed citation was presented at the concert that afternoon.
State Representative Reports - Western Australia representative, Bill Honter advised the meeting that the Association's Perth chapter was strong and that they had conducted at least three functions throughout the year, which included a dinner, the AABC birthday celebrations and a luncheon. There were no other reports from the other states.
Future Reunions - As future meetings of the association had been discussed and decided upon at our last meeting in Darwin, the meeting voted favourably on the next reunion being held in Melbourne on dates Friday 19 October - Sunday 21 October 2012. Following the Melbourne reunion the reunion venues and dates are Tasmania (2013), Sydney (2014), Adelaide (2015) and Perth (2016).
The Melbourne Reunion Secretary, Stan Holland advised the meeting that an organising committee had already been formed and planning had already begun. The committee include:
Reunion Secretary - Stan Holland, Treasurer - Howard Ward, Members - Jim Harper, Stephen Deakes, Gerard Corkeron, AABC Association Representative - Neville Lloyd, DFSM Rep - MAJ Andrea McMahon, AABM - MAJ Glenn Rogers
The Melbourne reunion format remains virtually the same as previous years with some slight changes to the activities. Stan said this would possibly include a game of bowls played in conjunction with the golf day on Friday. The reunion dinner is planned to be held at Greensborough RSL and the Googenheimer is planned to be held at the DFSM with a concert band format.
The Association's Sydney representative, Peter Guest, presented a verbal proposal for their reunion in 2014 and proposed that the Association consider a three day sampler cruise from Sydney and back. He explained that the plan was members board the ship from 2.00pm on a Friday with departure around 6.00pm. The ship then heads out to sea where the weather is best and cruise a massive circle then return to Sydney around 6.00am on Monday morning. Cost would be approximately $650 per person depending on the cabin capacity chosen, eg. two or four berth cabin and includes all meals, but excludes drinks. This idea was well received and most members showed their support with a show of hands, which was encouraging. The Sydney committee will continue further investigation and keep the members updated.
Annual Fees - The annual fees were discussed and it was moved by Pat Steer that the annual membership fees be increased from $25.00 to $35.00 a year. The joining fee for serving members be waived and widows of members have their fees increased from $10.00 to $20.00. Seconded Bill Honter. Carried.
Update on the Balcombe Military Heritage Site Project - The Association's two representatives on this committee, Neville Lloyd and Jim Harper advised the meeting that the military heritage of the Balcombe site extends back to 1896 and involves the Army Apprentices School, School of Signals, School of Survey and the School of Music. The project will also include all the history of the barracks (1896 until 1982) and all those units that had served there. Neville said the proposal is to make the area around the U.S. Marine gates, the old parade ground and Mace Oval a historical precinct. Neville said that the main gates had been repaired and painted and were back in position.
Association Flag - At last year's Darwin AGM organizer Geoff Carter proposed to make an Association flag to be formally presented at the 2011 AGM in Wagga Wagga. The flag was made and first displayed and carried in the street march on the Friday. The formal presentation was made and was accepted by the President, Pat Steer.
General Business
Army Museum Bandiana - AABC Memorabilia - The President explained that he had spoken with the curator of the Army Museum, as had LTCOL Gordon Lambie, about a proposal for AABC memorabilia to be displayed there. He said the ball is now in the Military History Unit's court, and who will be talking with Gordon further. The President said there is a possibility of utilising a reserve position in the Corps for the maintenance of a museum within the DFSM However, the School does not have the room and there are a few more hurdles to overcome as well, so it will take time. The current position is, most of the memorabilia from the DFSM had been given to Association member John Franklin to sort through and he was to provide advice to the Association on what restoration was needed and what he recommended be displayed. It was moved by the meeting that John Franklin receive a vote of thanks for his ongoing support regarding the AABC history and his work with the memorabilia. Carried.
Association Awards for DFSM Prize Day - The two Association awards that are provided to the DFSM each year were discussed. CO DFSM, LTCOL Gordon Lambie responded to questions and advised the meeting that these awards provided by the Association were not awarded every year if the students failed to meet the criteria.
Fund Raising - The meeting decided that with the approved rise in annual fees the annual raffle would not be run, but if necessary each year the reunion committee in each state should conduct a raffle during the reunion dates to raise funds. This was accepted.
Association Website/Newsletter - Stu Colhoun, who is the Association's Webmaster wrote and advised the meeting that only minor changes to the website had taken place during 2011. Some of the improvements included establishing a link to a calendar where all Association activities and band performances could be advertised. He advised that the site had problems with the pictorial history pages disappearing, but this had now been resolved. An AABC Association Forum was created by member Ralph Newman, who also acts as the Forum Moderator and a Forum link was added to the website. During the year the AWM requested permission to add our website to PANDORA, which was established initially by the National Library of Australia in 1996 and is now built in collaboration with nine other Australian libraries and cultural collecting organizations. He says the Association has given permission to the AWM to add our website to the historical repository.
The suggestion to save funds by distributing ‘Noteworthy', the Association's newsletter electronically was discussed. Our Editor Stu Colhoun wrote and noted that most members liked the newsletter in its current ‘hard copy' form with colour format and loads of content. He said if we were to distribute the newsletter to those members who wanted it sent electronically the size of each article and other contributions made the document far too large, difficult to download and would create more work to put it all together. John Franklin later suggested that he speak with the editor and provide some advice about a particular program that he was aware of that could achieve an outcome that could facilitate both hard copy and the ability to send the document electronically. He said this program is similar to those used by companies that distribute large full page ads that appear in newspapers and on websites. We await further advice on the outcome.
United States Navy Music Association - Kevin Furness and Jeff Walker commented on their recent visit back to Virginia in the United States where they attended a reunion given by the Navy Music Association, which has a membership of around 700/800 members. They said that there were close ties now established with both associations and recommended that these ties be strengthened by linking both our websites and maintaining contact between both into the future. Approved.
Meeting Closed at 11.45am.
Australian Army Band Kapooka Public Concert - At 3.30pm on Saturday the members, their partners and a small crowd gathered to hear the Australian Army Band Kapooka provide the city with a free public concert in the Memorial Gardens. With the decision now made that over the next few years most Army bands would be required to facilitate the current needs of the Army. This means providing musical combinations for different and specific tasks, using a rock band or a stage band. In the case of AABK their role would still include providing musical support for the weekly march out parades. For this reason the concert on Saturday only featured the stage band and the rock band. There was mixed reaction to both groups with many commenting they were disappointed that the concert band was no longer the real focus of Army bands anymore, but most realised and accepted that Army bands needed to change and provide a more contemporary sound with a leaner structure, focusing on troop centric areas.
Reunion Dinner - Grand Ballroom - With over 150 members and guests seated for the Association's annual dinner we enjoyed a veritable feast of fine food prepared by the motel's catering staff. Our principal guests included the Mayor of Wagga Wagga and his wife, our Patron, Brigadier J.J.Shelton, the Honorary Colonel of the AABC, Brigadier Mark Bornholt and the Director of Music-Army, Lieutenant Colonel Ian McLean. During the dinner the AABK provided a six piece ensemble and singer to entertain. Our President Pat Steer made a presentation to the Mayor, Councillor Kerry Pascoe in appreciation of the excellent support that the council had provided for our reunion. Following the Loyal Toast the Honorary Colonel gave a short speech and proposed a toast to the AABC, which was sung loudly and with gusto by the members, except for the second verse.
Sunday 23 October 2011
Googenheimer and BBQ Brunch - In the very early planning stages for the reunion the intention was to have all of our activities held at the motel. It was decided that because of the lack of space at the motel our ‘Googenheimer' format would need to change made up of smaller ensembles. A ‘jazz' type session was proposed and that we invite the public to be entertained in the motel surrounds. We organized with the AABK to provide appropriate music with jazz packs and hungry five charts, which members could read or even ‘lug' the tunes. At the eleventh hour, the venue was changed to Kapooka. Over eighty members and their partners met out at Kapooka on Sunday morning and after the security checks we were escorted to the Band Centre. Everybody ventured outside to enjoy the pleasant surroundings and were entertained with some light jazz music. It was noted that there were some present who were disappointed that the concert band format was not used. However, for the reasons stated above, plus the fact that instruments can no longer be borrowed, and with only five members of the band that were there and had volunteered to help with catering and work the bar, we decided to stick to the original concept of using small ensembles. This was a fitting conclusion to a wonderful weekend.
Once again the association thanks all of those who were involved with the organisation of the entire reunion weekend, especially the reunion committee, the motel, the Council, CAPT Darren Cole and the members of AABK, who all helped make this one of the most memorable reunions ever.
See you in Melbourne in October 2012
Kevin Noon
Secretary
AABC Association
Footnote to the Minutes
Having just attended the Army Apprentice Reunion AGM in Canberra on Saturday 29 October 2011 Kevin Noon advised that he had received an update on the project first hand, which is expected to be completed next year and will cost around $23,000, with the project sub-committee having already raised $12,000. He said he has been advised that the refurbished site was to be re-dedicated in May, but due to a conflicting Engineers activity, the date will probably change.
He advised that the Mornington Shire Council have been extremely supportive and will provide oversight of the work that will see the placement of four new plaques marking the site as being the home of the four schools (Apprentice School, School of Signals, School of Survey and School of Music). In addition the site will have a number of steel panels that will be laser etched with graphics and the ‘story' of the site from its inception to its closure told.
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