Photo: Supplied.
FROM THE QUEENSLAND SERVICES HERITAGE BAND
Queensland Services Heritage Band (QSHB) is about to celebrate its 17th anniversary! QSHB has been kicking goals year after year, now comprising of 80 members over eight bands, from juniors to seniors, varying in age and skill, aged between seven and 70.
Over the years, the band has been a regular performer at many country town parades and festivals. The band has performed far and wide in places including Tenterfield NSW, Gympie, Wondai, and Russell Island, dressed in various uniforms from Light Horse military uniform to festival costumes and white tuxedos. The adult band is seen yearly at the Toowoomba Festival of Flowers as the “Star Wars Band”, at The Ekka, the ANZAC Day Parade in the Brisbane CBD, Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Festival and more.
When movement was restricted last year, manager Paul Jones turned his sights to performing in Queensland via national online competitions, where the band won a gold and silver medal to add to the burgeoning trophy cabinet.
This year the bar went up a notch as band bugler Derek played The Last Post and Rouse for the Governor-General and the Premier to kick off the ANZAC Day Parade in Brisbane. The band then joined the parade and delighted the massive crowd with Vietnam-era pieces like Sky Pilot, receiving rousing cheers from the crowd. Perhaps you saw them on one of the many TV stations covering the parade?
QSHB played for 400 guests in June at the Queensland Community Foundation’s annual awards ceremony at Brisbane City Hall. The event honoured local philanthropists who have been assisting the needy through the last couple of tough years, highlighting the work of organisations like Oz Harvest, Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital Foundation and Dominos Pizza, who have been generously feeding emergency workers during tough times. It was a glamorous affair with lots of sequins, sparkles, wining and dining.
Band manager Paul says he would ideally like a larger band room with more band gear and, ultimately, more students – especially primary school-aged students. Pauls says one joining fee covers all expenses, lessons, uniforms, instrument hire, new friends and goals to kick, and for some, it may lead to a future career in music.
