Photo: Supplied.
Our first order of business is to say “thank you and congratulations” to Paul Jones, the maestro extraordinaire of no less than seven bands based in the Wynnum Community Centre under the umbrella of Queensland Services Heritage Band/Top Show Music.
This year Paul is beginning to get the recognition he deserves, starting with the Lord Mayors’ Art and Culture Award for Brisbane for 2023, presented at City Hall.
Bayside Carols is now in its tenth year, and the event has grown under Paul’s leadership from an audience of 400 in 2012 to 4000 in 2022. The event showcases Paul’s bands, local talent, dancers, choirs, bagpipes and more. We have games and rides, rock walls and face painting for the kids. George Clayton Park is where the Bayside celebrates Christmas together, where food stalls are plenty and a collection is taken up for the Salvos to spread the Christmas cheer.
Every other year we march in the city for the ANZAC Day Parade to cheering crowds with popular songs from the various war eras.
The 2022 Parade was kicked off by our own Bugler, Derek Miller, playing The Last Post and the Reverie for the Governor General, the Premier, and the TV cameras.
This year we spent the ANZAC Day in Nanango starting with the Dawn Service, a march through the town, a celebration in the town square with local dignitaries and residents, topped off with a rousing concert at the local RSL. It was a great place to celebrate the lifestyle the ANZACS won for us with their sacrifice. Lest we forget. Nanango treated us royally, and the word on the street was, “This is the best thing that ever happened in Nanango”. We were glad to celebrate Nanango’s 175th year with them.
The seven bands of QSHB include The Light Horse Band, Bayside Youth Bands, Top Show Concert Band, QSHB Drummers, QSHB Jazz Band, QSHB Rock Band and QSHB Adult Starters Band. Paul is tireless in his care for his flock of 100 (80 musicians and 20 happy volunteers). We are amazed at his tireless efforts to teach, organise and bless the community, even while receiving a round of chemo!
The bands have travelled to country towns and are always at the Toowoomba Flower Festival in September as the Star Wars Band. They have even travelled into enemy territory (NSW) as far as Twin Towns in Tweed and Tenterfield and have been seen at the Warwick Grape and Wine Festival and Military Remembrance Days in Gympie, Wondai, Maryborough, Nanango, Chinchilla.
Locally, they appear regularly at Manly markets, Star Wars Market, Steampunk Festival, The “Hallowed Eve” Parade, Spooktacular, and local aged care facilities for Christmas concerts. In the city, they perform Victory in the Pacific, the ANZAC Parade and the EKKA.
QSHB has a not-for-profit status for tax-deductible gifts, and the bands also take on paid gigs. While we are scrambling for sponsors, Paul is focused on growing his band of musicians.
Musicians of any age and skill level are invited to join the QSHB family. The cost is $200 for the first year, then $100 for subsequent years, which includes lessons, uniforms, instrument rental, fun and a place in the QSHB family.
For more information, get in touch at [email protected] or write to QSHB at PO Box 685 Wynnum Qld 4178.
