CHAPTER 4

THE COLIN J. THOMAS YEARS, 1961-1984

On 10 July 1961, a formal contract was entered into by Colin J.Thomas and the Committee of Management of the Eta Concert Band (as Brisbane Excelsior was now known). The duties of the position were straightforward, requiring him to "undertake control and supervision of all musical activities of the Band", diligently and competently conducting the Band at all public and private performances, and arranging programmes and tuition for players in need. He was also empowered to recommend expulsion of incompetent or delinquent members, though expulsion itself was the prerogative of the Committee of Management. The terms of the Contract were drawn up by Allan Napier (son of the first Conductor) and J.McShane, Band Sergeant. Allan Napier himself was made a Life Member the following year, the Golden Anniversary of the Band's birth. On the occasion, President Billy Veal spoke of Allan's "consistent loyalty" to the Band, and his ability as player and administrator. He also delivered a talk on the Band's fifty years of life, the history itself subsequently collated into booklet form. It is worthy of note that Percy Brier, one of the giant's of the musical world of Brisbane (founding member and subsequent President of the Music Teachers' Association of Queensland) congratulated the Band on its history booklet and requested further copies for himself and the M.T.A.Q.

In December 1962, a new contract of 250 pounds per annum (a 50 percent drop) was entered into with Marrickville Holdings (ETA Foods), the terms again providing quarterly payments. During the ensuing eight years, the connection with ETA Foods continued, but the parting of the ways came in May 1970 when the Queensland operations were scaled down, and the last quarterly cheque was received. The sponsorship was formally terminated and Brisbane Excelsior reverted to its own historic name.

It is also of interest that with the regularly diminishing funding provided by ETA Foods, the Band was impelled to seek other sources of income. In the Minutes of 29 October 1968 is a reference to one such potential avenue of extra funds. Kasey Schryver outlined "a conversation which took place at Toombul Shoppingtown after our performance on Saturday last between three members of the Band Committee and the Manager of Toombul (Mr. W.Petrie)." Mr. Petrie was keenly interested, promising to discuss the matter of a fee with his superiors in Sydney. A subsequent letter from Westfield Shopping (Qld.) Ltd. mentioned a fee of 1000 pounds, but the Band was loathe to appear disloyal and ungrateful to ETA Foods at the time, and declined. With hindsight it is easy to offer advice about what they should have done but the simple fact is, the Band acted with impeccable honour.

Other items of interest are also mentioned in the Minutes. In late 1963, the ETA Concert Band played for the official opening of a new Supermarket at Kedron. On 8 February 1965, Ken Clark resigned from Excelsior to pursue his career as Percussionist in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, though it was not, by any means, the end of a warmly harmonious relationship. Whenever he was needed, Ken returned to the fold either as percussionist extraordinaire or trombonist. It should also be noted that Ken Clark has for years been responsible for the Queensland Youth Orchestra percussion ensemble many of the members of which received their initial training in Brass Bands. Indeed, other instrumentalists in the Q.Y.O. also derived the foundations of their skill in exactly the same nursery.

In May 1967, W.Box became a Life Member. Two years later he was President. That year, 1969, E.Roache died. At the Annual Meeting in 1969, the Band happily agreed to play at the Sandgate Freemasons' Home where their inaugural President, W.H.Veal, was a resident. Sadly, Billy Veal died that very year, his contribution to the Band being simply beyond recompense. Amongst the lovingly-preserved memorabilia which were acquired from Arthur J.Longson in 1982, was a letter from Mr. Veal's son, thanking the Band for its "excellent playing of the hymn" at his father's gravesite. At Contests, Excelsior had always excelled at the Hymn item but on that occasion they also wished to convey to the grieving family the depth of their respect and affection for their Founding Father.

There were also two letters from Dr. William Lovelock, inaugural Director of Queensland's Conservatorium of Music. The first noted his huge enjoyment of the fiftieth birthday concert in the S.G.I.O. Theatre in 1962. The second, dated 1 October 1970, was his acceptance of the invitation to become Brisbane Excelsior's Patron. "One of these days, I hope to write something especially for the Band, but time always seems to be lacking," Dr Lovelock wrote:

"However, I see you are due for your Diamond Jubilee in 1972, so I will make a real effort. Meanwhile, have you been able to have a sight of that Western Land Suite which I wrote for the Perth Competition? I had hoped they would send me a tape of it, but have had no reply to a letter about it."

He honoured his promise with a special composition,"The Diamond Jubilee Overture", which he dedicated exclusively to the Band and "Colin J", whose musicianship he respected enormously. Trevor Stanley, gifted trombonist, recently described the Lovelock piece as "musically outstanding."

The actual sixtieth birthday celebrations in 1972 drew enthusiastic commendation from respected musician and music critic John Villa me who attended the Diamond Jubilee Concert at the SGIO theatre. "The meatiest music brought out the best in the band," Mr. Villa me wrote:

"Dr. William Lovelock's Jubilee Overture, written for and dedicated to the band, had a first performance which displayed plenty of apt and effective writing for this particular medium."

His words brought immense pride to these dedicated amateurs, especially since he himself was a hugely respected professional from the Conservatorium, Dr. Lovelock's own alma mater. Dr. Lovelock had been the very first Principal of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music back in 1956. Mr. Villa me also found "a welcome sense of power in reserve" in the Band, gone forever "the days of careless oom-pahing through each and every score". Under Colin J. Thomas, the bandsmen had become "stylists in the best sense of the word, with the appropriate touch and tone (lovely tone, too) for each number". Soloists Tom Roache on Cornet and Colin Topp on Euphonium drew particular attention: both gave brilliant accounts of excerpts from Rossini and Mozart". Amongst the other cornetists that special night was Brisbane's distinguished tailor, Arthur Longson, aged 72, who had first joined Brisbane Excelsior back in 1918 and had continued an unbroken connection ever since both as bandsman and as the Band's own exclusive tailor.

Other events of the time merit recording. Frank de Hayr, foundation member, died in 1970, the year Allan Napier became President for the first time. On 7 February that year, Helen Dempsey, talented Tenor Horn player from Scotland, married Allan Lashmar. Fittingly, the Band played at the wedding of these two players who were to continue contributing to its welfare: Allan as Treasurer and later as Secretary, and Helen a tower of strength on Committee. During the bicentennial commemoration of Captain Cook's arrival on our coastline in 1770, the Band took part in a massed band performance on April 18. In May that year, Bernie Hoesman was elected Drum Major and Len Radford became a Life Member. The Minutes also show that even at this time of his involvement with Brisbane Excelsior, Peter Hiscock was drawing attention to the need to provide tuition to junior band members, the life blood of the future. At the Annual Meeting in 1971, Peter suggested that special tuition classes (even at night) be conducted for younger players. In future years, he and Toppie did just that, freely giving of their own time for a cause to which they had devoted their lives. So too did others, including Jeff Herbert whose special classes for juniors furnished the Band (and other bands, too) with an invaluable pool from which to draw. For over a decade, Jeff ran the "Junior XLCR Band" with over twenty players, providing them not only with tuition but opportunities to perform in public: at Church services, at Fetes, at Schools. In one report to the Band, Jeff publicly thanked Don Murray "for his able assistance" and Graham Boyle for help with the rehearsal venue. Jeff's own prowess on Cornet was such that he became Principal Cornetist when Lloyd Robins (who filled the top chair vacated by Tom Roache) had to seek temporary leave from the Band.

At the Annual Meeting in May 1973, President Allan Napier commented on the Band's "good image" throughout the year, and its healthy financial position as a consequence of the "Chardon's Raffles". These raffles, which had substantially replaced the huge void left in finances after the termination of the Eta Foods sponsorship were the direct result of initiatives of the Roache Family, especially Tom and his wife Beatrice, and son Roger. Without doubt, they helped to sustain Brisbane Excelsior and keep the Band afloat with the proceeds of the Sunday "chook" raffles (short-lived) and meat trays conducted at the celebrated Chardon's Hotel. Brisbane's much-loved author, Hugh Lunn, has drawn attention to Annerley, but band-members of Brisbane Excelsior have also known since 1972 of this special part of Brisbane, and the wonderful generosity of both the licensee of the Annerley Pub and its Sunday patrons. The Band attempted to repay some of its massive debt by conducting an annual Christmas Band Recital in the Public Bar. It was Roger who signed the legal agreement with Chardon's Hotel concerning the raffles, and it was family members who unfailingly organized the purchase of trays, tickets, and the myriad details, including rosters of bandsmen, attendant on such matters.

The Band was not the only beneficiary of the voluntary labours of all involved with the project, however. The Minutes show that by August 1975 the Chardon's Trust Committee had generously disbursed funds into the wider community: Dutton Park Opportunity School received $1,000; Meals on Wheels, $1,000; the Deaf Pre-School, $500; and St. Vincent de Paul Society, $500. There was more, another side to Brisbane Excelsior little known outside the Band: the remaining sum of $1746 was ear-marked to purchase an ambulance for the Moorooka Q.A.T.B. Within a decade, the Chardon's meat-tray Raffles had purchased two ambulances which were handed over to the Q.A.T.B. Unpaid, amateur Brass Bandsmen are not just music-makers and pretty faces! A similar venture planned for the Sportsmen's Hotel at Spring Hill in the early 1970s was mooted but it simply failed to get started. After all, there was only one Roache family, and they could hardly be expected to organize a similar venture across the River as well. For the Band, the success of the Chardon's venture was of critical financial importance.

In November 1974, Col Thomas, Col Topp and Ron Barlow were all awarded Life Memberships. For the record, that motion was moved by A.J.Longson and seconded by Kasey Schryver. Already, Colin J had left an enduring mark on the Band as Musical Director since 1961, and the regard for Col Topp was formalised in President Napier's Annual Report earlier that year:

"Mr. Topp is again congratulated and thanked for the manner in which he carried out his duties as Deputy Conductor in the absence of Mr. Thomas. It is again stressed that this Band is fortunate in having the services of a musician like Mr. Topp."

Ron Barlow had been a stalwart on Double Bass since 1949, his value to the Band recognised by its highest honour. For Colin J, 1974 was a "purple patch" for the Band, the improved playing the result of increased attendance at rehearsals and a willingness to "give extra rehearsals when called on". There was still room for improvement, however:

"I must say that this does not apply to the less glamorous engagements which are accepted and when the time comes the fee is being earned by a small handful of stalwarts."

Much of Colin J's profound commitment to Brisbane Excelsior is evident in his gentle rebuke of 7 May 1974:

"I have said so many times in these reports [his fourteenth] that to a Band of your reputation there is no such thing as a second-class engagement and that when the name of Brisbane Excelsior is announced, the listener expects, and is entitled to do so, to hear a first-class A Grade Band, which you are, when in attendance."

There was another event of 1974 which left a mark, too. That was the Great Flood of January which had been particularly savage on Peter and Joan Hiscock. Allan Napier made reference to this cruel act of Fate: "Mr. Hiscock and his wife suffered the worst blow of all, but it was gratifying that members of the Band offered swift help." A.J.Longson and Mr. Radford were also badly affected by the Flood. Mr. Napier's Annual Report also acknowledged the Band's huge indebtedness to the Roache family - he singled out Mrs Beatrice Roache - for the life-giving financial support of the Chardon's Hotel venture.

From August until November 1977, Colin J was given leave by the Band to travel overseas to attend the "International Congress of Brass Musicians" held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It was a rare honour accorded him - and Brisbane Excelsior - with only seventy-odd invitations sent to musicians outside Great Britain. Colin J was specially requested to conduct a number of workshops and performances, his introduction from the stage mentioning that "his reputation is already well-known to us in Britain". During his absence, his place was taken on the podium by Bernie Hoesman.

In 1978, Brisbane Excelsior won the State Champion A Grade Brass Band title once again. Despite the huge demands of finance involved in travelling far a field, Secretary Roger Roache had strongly recommended the previous year that the Band attend. His Annual Report also acknowledged the Band's indebtedness to Mr. Longson (for his wise counsel whenever it was needed) and to Treasurer Graham Boyle not only for managing finances but also for making his office available for Band meetings. At this time, the Band practised at the Police Youth Club. Finding venues for practices and meetings was a perennial difficulty which was not to be resolved until 1992.

Secretary Roache referred to the problem indirectly the following year in his opening remarks: "I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. John Carney for making available their home to us for these meetings." John also gave sterling service to the Band as the willing and hard-working Collector during performances in the Parks. Roger mentioned two other unpaid labours-of-love performed by John. "The Raffles at Chardon's once again ran smoothly due mainly to the efforts of Mum and Dad, ably assisted by John Carney," Roger said of the first. "Thanks once again to John Carney with his Chook Raffle on rehearsal night," he reported of the second: "This income almost offsets our rent on the premises."

That year, 1979, was a good one, the highlight being the winning of the State Championship at Beenleigh. President Allan Napier described the Band's performances in all events as "the best I've heard from this Band". In his Annual Report, he repeated previous statements he had publicly made that Brisbane Excelsior "should be handicapped to give others a chance". He too made mention of John Carney's generosity in making available his home for meetings, and providing supper and drinks on every occasion. "The meetings seemed more like a social gathering instead of a place to argue," he reported. There were words of thanks also for Graham Boyle for making his office available, and to Kasey Schryver not only for providing a safe haven for the Band's accumulated treasure of trophies but for undertaking the difficult and costly restoration of these treasures. President Napier also congratulated Bernie Hoesman who had recently been appointed a Drill Judge by the Q.B.A.

One memory from the distant past was raised at that Annual Meeting in 1979. A.J.Longson, ever maintaining the impeccable sartorial standards of the players, men and women, reported that he still had Albert Wade's Frock-Uniform "in perfect order". He estimated that at current rates it would cost an exorbitant $400. "Pity Mr. Thomas is not a few stone lighter," he sighed, regretful that a uniform of such splendour was not fully utilised. "I noticed in one of the local papers a photo of the Sunnybank Band and Graham Cox was not in uniform," he added: "He is a prospect!" As was his wont at the Annual Meeting, Mr. Longson again called for the return of "all old blue uniforms with caps", promising to go through them, destroying those unfit for use and selling the rest. "The last lot were sold to Bullen Brothers for 60 pounds," he informed the meeting. A year later he reported that of the 40 blue uniforms returned, he had rescued 25 for sale. "Quite a few were badly faded, some as good as new, with caps in quite good order, also trousers," he reported. He had one request: the name of any band or stage show requiring uniforms. Brisbane Excelsior's exclusive tailor wasted nothing in the cause of band economy. In a postscript, Mr. Longson added a word about the importance of the office of Custodian, the official Guardian of the Band's accumulation of treasures, including the hundreds of scores and manuscripts. "During the evening you will be called upon to select a Custodian," he wrote to the President before the Annual Meeting in 1978:

"I trust you will appoint a person, lady or gentleman, with a good knowledge of instruments and music. In my book, this is a very important position. I think he should also be ex-officio on your committee."

For the Musical Director, there was the ever-present matter of standards. "When the Brisbane Excelsior Band is heard, listeners expect and deserve to hear the Brisbane Excelsior Band not a representative party," he said again at the 1979 Annual Meeting:

"and this is equally important at New Farm Park or on Easter Saturday night at the Contest venue. It is unfair to your colleagues if they, in addition to their own parts, have to fill in all sorts of cues to cover up for an absent member."

The impeccable standards of Colin J provide one explanation of the reputation of Brisbane Excelsior in the public perception.

1980 was a milestone year for the Band: Jeff Herbert's efforts with juniors drew praise from Mr. Napier; successes continued at Contests and in the Parks; and the year marked Tommy Roache's fortieth consecutive year as Principal Cornetist. In a formal acknowledgement of the Band's huge debt to their loyal and devoted colleague over four decades, Allan Napier (President), R. Roache (Secretary), and C.J.Thomas (Musical Director) articulated the collective feelings of gratitude and also relief that Tom's unique qualities of example, of inspiration, and of leadership would not be lost:

"It is typical of your generous disposition that you desire to continue as a member of the Solo Cornet Section and so assist the young members ..."

Secretary Roger Roache expressed the Band's appreciation of the efforts of his parents for their countless hours arranging the Chardon's days which continued to alleviate those perennial financial woes of all bands. His 1980 Report also noted the special contribution of Les Stiles and Trevor Stanley in the raffles at Chardon's, and of John Carney in the Tuesday night chook raffles. Rent for Tuesday practices at Metro House was already double the previous rent paid at Chandler House. In his Report, the Musical Director spoke movingly of the decision of his "very dear friend" to stand down as Principal Cornetist. It had been the young Tommy Roache who had first invited Colin J to join Brisbane Excelsior back in 1942.

In 1982, Reg Oxley was elected Secretary after Roger Roache's valuable period in office. In June that year, the Band lost two of its valued members - Helen and Alan Lashmar - who were transferred to Maryborough. Fortunately the break was but temporary, and both "La belle Helene" (Colin J's epithet) and Alan returned to the Band down the track. On 29 June 1982, the Band celebrated its 70th birthday with a Concert at the S.G.I.O. Theatre. Brisbane's celebrated musician-conductor-critic John Villa me described the evening as "a model of what unflagging amateur enthusiasm can do towards raising musical standards." In his review published in the Courier Mail two days later, he singled out for special praise the solos by Tom Roache (still a virtuoso despite stepping down as Principal Cornetist), by Paul Radford on Trombone (playing a composition by Ronald Hanmer, distinguished British musician permanently resident in Brisbane who gave Australia the A.B.C. theme for Blue Hills), and Topp Brass (the group within Brisbane Excelsior formed by Col Topp). One of the pieces performed was Dr. William Lovelock's 1962 Diamond Jubilee, composed especially for the Band's 50th birthday. It was an outstanding success, fulfilling the hopes of Secretary Reg Oxley that the evening would not only honour the Band's founders but establish its reputation as "the best band in Queensland".

One small ingredient in the story of the 1982 Concert was the on-going saga of rehearsal venues. It came to the attention of the Band, through the diligence of members such as Bill Robinson and Graham Marsden, that the Morningside Scout Troop was contemplating terminating its lease on the Scout Hall. Bill Robinson's wife, a Commissioner in the Girl Guides, knew of the impending moves. The premises were owned by the Brisbane City Council which was seeking to sell the building. In return for the right to practise therein, band members set to with a vengeance to restore the building to respectability. It was to provide a foretaste of things to come a decade later when the Band itself decided to become outright owners of its own premises.

In 1983, the onerous duties of Secretary fell upon Graham Marsden whose connection with Brisbane Excelsior had commenced in 1961, just after the Maryborough Contest. Tommy Peden had invited him to join as euphonium player but ironically he has never ever played his instrument, instead responding to the need for a Bass player. With Colin J, Tommy Peden and Ron Barlow, he won the 1963 Bass Quartet title, and as one of the Band's Basses (along with Bill Robinson and others), he was dubbed by Adjudicator Charlie Turner as "the gorgeous Basses" at the 1963 Contest. With experience in bands in Emerald (on Trombone in his youth), in Ipswich (the Ipswich Vice Regal and Ipswich Model Bands), and in the R.A.A.F. Amberley Band, Graham took keen interest in the movement, inclining to the view that Maryborough under the celebrated J.J.Kelly was vying with Brisbane Excelsior in the 1940s and 1950s as the band to watch. When he too relinquished the role of Secretary, Graham became Drum Major. 1983 was also the year of resignation of Peter Hiscock after sixteen years of extremely dedicated commitment to the cause. It was not only as superb Baritone and committeeman that Peter was valued: he was also brilliant arranger. Many of his arrangements were featured on the "Bill Belcher Band Bazaar" on A.B.C. Radio, and he was also a member of "Topp Brass".

On 31 July 1984, Colin J. Thomas's stewardship of Brisbane Excelsior came to an end at a Farewell Concert for the Maestro, with rich and varied compositions from his beloved Mozart and Rossini, and from Rimsky-Korsakov and Leroy Anderson. There were brilliant arrangements by his erstwhile colleagues and peers, Peter Hiscock and Ronald Hanmer, and exquisite solos by his own bandsmen, Ricky Casagrande (Tuba), Col Topp (Euphonium) and Paul Radford. Roy Radford demonstrated his skill as percussionist in a novelty solo on Triangle, and both the Tenor Horn Section and the Cornet Section paid him homage in special items. As the Programme itself declared, "Farewell, and Thank You, Colin J!"