The Ambulance Band - making music for 25 years
April 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the Ambulance Band!
Twenty five years is a milestone in anyone’s book and Ambulance
is proud to be celebrating such a memorable occasion within its
organisation - its history is remarkable.
In 1984, Colin Dunn (who is still the current Band Secretary),
saw an article in ‘Column 8’ of The Sydney Morning Herald advertising
that the then ‘NSW Ambulance Service’ was looking to start
a band. Colin answered the advertisement and a meeting was
held.
After accepting the challenge of establishing a band, 20 musicians
came together and the first rehearsal took place. It was a
momentous occasion with the audience being the Chief Superintendent
and
a number of other Officers of Ambulance. The Ambulance Band’s
first Musical Director was initially a volunteer position but
was later made a full time position
due to demand.
The Band began playing at formal Ambulance Graduation Parades
which were held on the grounds of State Headquarters at Rozelle.
Graduation Parades ceased in 2002 and the Band’s focus changed.
They became
involved in several events with St John Ambulance
Investitures at Government House and also took on commitments
for Anzac Day and the formal opening of NSW hospitals.
The Band was formally commissioned in April 1985 during the
opening of a new wing at St George Hospital and the ceremony
was officiated
by the then NSW Health Minister Ron Murlock. The Band’s first
uniforms were gifted to them by NSW Fire Brigades until an approved
Ambulance uniform came into place a little
while later.
Some of the Band’s highlights that Colin fondly remembers
includes playing for the Queen in 1987 when her majesty opened Parramatta
Stadium and performing at the Vietnam Veterans acknowledgement parade
in the late 1980’s.
The current 42 member Ambulance Band regularly perform at formal
Ambulance functions, the NSW Health Awards, Anzac Day March,
NSW Health Awards, St John Investitures at Government House,
Reserve Forces Day Parades, Fishers Ghost Festival and a range
of community events. In addition to the concert band which provides
a large musical combination, there is a stage band, a brass quintet
and a saxophone
quartet.
The current Ambulance Band membership has a mixture of female
and male musicians with a good mix of experienced and youth allowing
us to cater for our audience and Ambulance as the need dictates.
Congratulations to all the fantastic members of our Band who
volunteer their own time to represent Ambulance in such a professional
manner.
For information on joining the Band or for bookings email jsmyth@ambulance.nsw.gov.au or phone 9320 7798.
Ambulance is committed to assisting the community create safer and healthier environments and outcomes by making prevention everyone’s businesses. A number of innovative community education programs have been implemented to assist identify life threatening conditions, understand what to do in an emergency and the importance of adopting illness prevention strategies.