Our History
Townsville Brass has had a rich history, spanning back almost to the start of last century. Enjoy the journey as you read through where we have come from. If you would like to contribute, please get in contact!
Click on an image to view a larger size.
In 1970, our band hall was commissioned.
This was a marked upgrade to our prior band rehearsal building:
It was a unused workers shed in the Queensland Railway north yard - opposite the Mansfield Hotel. Students would climb through a hole in the railway fence, and cross two train tracks to get to the shed to practice. Peter Aolloway held about three classes there twice a week. Students who got there early enough would pass the time puting pennies on the tracks to see how squashed the trains made them!
Townsville Citizen's Band contested at the 1973 Queensland Brass Band Championships in Rockhampton. The adjudicator was Tom Gawn. Townsvile Citizen's Band competed in B-Grade, playing test piece Celebrations, hymn Rest in Peace and street march Ravenswood.
On the Easter weekend, April 9 – 14 1974, the Townville Citizen Band and Junior Band competed in the Queensland Brass Band Championships in Bundaberg, held at the Civic Theatre. The Townsville Citizen’s Band Juniors came 3rd in the Championship.
The music adjudicator was Mr. Norman Henstridge and the Drill & Inspection Adjudicator was SGT Kevin Wendt R.A.A.F. Miss Gladys Jones was the official accompaniste, Mr. Ern W. Brigg was the QBA President and Alex Francis-Smith the QBA Secretary.
Townsville Citizen’s Band had a Juniors and Senior band competing in the following:
· Junior Grade – Hymn Tune
· Junior Grade – Own Choice
· Junior Grade – Street March
· B Grade – Street March
· B Grade – Hymn Tune: At the Cross by Isaac Watts
· B Grade – Test Selection: Mexican Fiesta by Ronald Hanmer
· B Grade – Own Choice: Theme from Symphony No. 5 by Beethoven
· B Grade – Diagram March
Peter Alloway was the conductor for both the Townsville Citizen’s and Juniors band, with Dick Jesshope the band manager for the Juniors.
Townsville Citizen Band soloist competitors were as follows:
Bb Cornet
· (<14 years): J. Woodward
· (<16 years): A. L Weston
Any instrument other than cornet
· (<14 years): C. R. Jesshope
· (<16 years): P. J. Coventon and C. L. Nicholson
Junior Duet: Geoff. D. Bolster and L. C. Nicholson
Novice Euphonium: P. J. Coventon and L. C. Nicholson
Novice Bb Cornet: A. L. Weston and P. Woodward
Novice Baritone: David R. McColloch
Novice Tenor Trombone: L. Thomson
Champion Euphonium: G. D. Bolster
Veteran’s Solo: Oliver Smith
Open Solo: J. Bertram
Open Duet: A. Nicholson and G. D. Bolster
Champion Eb Bass: W. S. Bolster
Champion Bb Bass: J. Bertram, G. Marsden
Open Septette: Townsville Citizen’s No. 2
Open Quartet: Townsville Citizen’s No. 1.
Champion Baritone: David R. McColloch, Oliver Smith
The Townsville Citizen’s Band stayed at the Sailing Club Shed, and the Juniors stayed at the Bargara Youth Camp.
The Programme can be found here (courtesy of D. McColloch).
Trophies taken home were:
Townsville Citizen’s (& Juniors) Band took home the “Australian Commonwealth Band, A Francis-Smith trophy” for placing 1st in the D-Grade Championship of the 1976 Australasian Band Championships held in Southport over the Easter weekend (13 – 18 April 1796). The Test Piece was “Episodes For Brass” (R. Hammer) and 1st prize was $40.
Townsville Citizen’s D-Grade Band
Musical Director: L. Alloway.
Secretary: R. Stortenbeker.
Drum Major: B. Davies.
Players:
T. WOODWARD, V. BALMENT, S. HARRIS, J. PARRY, P. JUDGE, C. RICHARDS, I. BOLTON, R. EAMES, W. BALMENT, T. MCANN, A. GOSS, R. SMAIL, G. LOWRIE, P. SUGDEN, G. SUGDEN, D. FRY, W. BENNETT, N. MANNING, V. COOPER, K. STANLEY, S. COOPER, G. HEALEY, L. MARKEY, B. ALLAN, D. HARTMAN, T. JACKSON, R. KUHL, B. BAILEY, K. JONES, K. HEFFERNAN, A. McDONALD, B. SMITH, G. ROBINSON, E. THOMAS, R. FINLAY, J. HEFFERNAN, A. SALTWELL, T. PHILIPSON, L. GEHRINGER, S. JESSHOPE, D. LAAKSO, B. EAGLAN, P. COVENTON, L. NICHOLSON, D. McCULLOCH, S. McCULLOCH, G. WILLETT, D. SMAIL, D. PERCY, C. JESSHOPE, R. HINSCH, S. BENNETT, A. YOUNG, J. WILLETT, C. CHASE, P. TUCK, S. CALE.
Townsville Citizen’s Band placed 3rd in the B-Grade Championship, playing test piece “Sinfonietta” (Wilson) and John O’Gaunt (Vinter), winning $30. Townsville Citizens and Juniors (Own Choice) also came first in the Hymn (first prize: $36).
Townsville Citizen’s B-Grade Band
Musical Director: L. Alloway
Secretary: R. Stortenbeker
Players:
R. AITKEN, A. CALE, P. WOODWARD, G. DAVIES, T. THOMAS, J. PARRY SNR, R. STORTENBEKER, R. BARRY, R. HOSKING, P. GRANT, A. WESTON, N. CASSELS, W. VAN DYK, N. PRICE, J. BOLSTER, D. BREASE, A. NICOLSON, J. BOLSTER, O. SMITH, L. PETERSON, K. HEBDEN, L. THOMSON, C. PLATH, W. BUTCHER, W. BOLSTER, A. STEELE R. CARPENTER, S. WILSON, S. CALE
This was the Queensland Centenary Championships (1876 – 1976), held at the R.S.L Memorial Hall and Marquee (behind the hall) on Scarborough St, Southport. The Street March took place on Nerang St and the Diagram March was at the Queen St Showgrounds.
Mr. N. Anderson was the president for the contest, and adjudicators were Prof Walter. B. Hargreaves from Deal, England. Mr. Galvin H. John of the Tanunda Town Band was the deputy adjudicator. Drill adjudicators were Mr. Jack Marchingo (formerly bandmaster of the 2-38th Batallion Band) and SGT Kevin Wendt (Champion Drum Major for several civilian and military bands).
Townsville Citizen’s Band had great representation with 53 performers in the soloists. Competitors were:
Open Champion of Champions
3rd – Roscoe Cassels (Eb Tenor Horn)
Junior Bb Cornet (< 14 years), playing Wendouree (Percy Code)
Alan Goss
Junior Bb Cornet (14 – 18 years)
Alan Weston
Clive Richards
Paul Judge
Sandra Harris
Thomas Woodward
Vincent Ballment
Junior Flugel Horn (14 – 18 years)
Ian Bolton
Junior Baritone (14 – 18 years), playing The Mirage (G. Tyler)
David Percy
2nd place - Jeffrey McCulloh
Junior Euphonium (14 – 18 years)
Lloyd Nicholson
Peter Coventon
Junior Tenor Trombone (14 – 18 years) playing Monophonic Mural (Johnson)
2nd place – Christopher Jesshope
Roger Hinsch
Sandra Bennet
Open Eb Soprano Cornet, playing Rhapsody for Soprano (R. Eaves)
4th place – Ronald Aitken
Open Bb Cornet, playing Concertstruck (Henry Geehl)
Alan Weston
Edward Thomas
Phillip Woodward
Open Flugel Horn, playing The Commander (Vander Cook)
Roy Hosking
Open Eb Tenor Horn, playing Carnival of Venice (H. W. Davis)
1st place – Roscoe Cassels
2nd place – Janelle Bolster
David Laasko
Open Baritone, playing Victory (Endresen)
2nd place – David McCulloch
3rd place – Oliver Smith
Lawrence Alloway
Open Euphonium, playing Concert Fantasy (Whitehouse)
2nd Place – Geoff D. Bolster
Open Tenor Trombone, playing Cellar Cool (W. Rimmer)
Christopher Jesshope
Larry Thomson
Open Eb Bass, playing Santa Lucia (Jakma)
Allan Steele
Claude Chase
Walter S. Bolster
Open Solo, playing Own Choice
Edward Thomas
Ronald Aitken
Roscoe Cassels
4th - Walter S. Bolster
Ladies Solo, playing Own Choice
1st – Janelle Bolster
Veteran’s Solo, playing Own Choice
3rd – Oliver Smith
Junior Quartet, playing Own Choice
Two entrees
Open Duet, playing Own Choice
Geoff D. Bolster & Oliver Smith
4th - Janelle Bolster & Roscoe Cassels
Open Quartet, playing Own Choice
Two entries, one of which was won by a quartet featuring David McCulloch (left) and Roy Hosking (right). Photos below courtesy of D. McCulloch.
Open Septet, playing Own Choice
Two entries
The 1976 Australasian Band Championships program can be found here: https://nbca.asn.au/files/programmes/1976_programme.pdf
Townsville Citizen's D-Grade Band are forming up for the Street March in the below photo.
Townsville Citizens (Senior) - Diagram March.
Nearly ready to go on stage - David McCulloch, Lloyd Nicholson, Allan Steele
Allan Steele and David McCulloch ready for Own Choice.
Townsville Citizens Band enjoying Surfer's Paradise. From Left to Right: Trevor Phillipson, ??, Chris Jesshope, Claude Chase, Graham Lowrie, ??, ??, Roger Hinch, Jeff McCulloch, Ian Bolton
The Queensland Brass Band Championships were held in Mackay over the Easter Weekend (16-17 April) in 1933, where Townsville Railway Band came 2nd in the A-Grade Championship under the baton of Albert W. Trembath.
Townsville Railway Band came 2nd in the A-grade test selection "L'Etoile du Nord", winning 35 pound. Adjudicator Mr. McLeod stated "Townsville Railway gave a really good performance. This was well played. I must congratulate the conductor upon his pleasing and musically rendering".
Townsville Railway came 2nd in the Street March with "The President" by William German. An estimated 1000 spectators lined the street as the bands marched from the corner of Victoria and Sydney Sts into the showgrounds.
Townsville Railway players H. W. Wellings (cornet) came 2nd and A. Coleman (euphonium) came 3rd in the special Powell Cup prize, awarded to the "Best Soloists in Bands".
An amusing highlight from the news reporting of this contest featured M. Arnold from the Rockhampton City Band, is shown below.
Source: The Daily Mercury (Mackay)
Over 3000 people visited Townsville on the weekend of 5-6 May 1934 for the Mt. St John Rodeo. Flinders St was lined from both sides as the equestrian parade, led by the Townsville Railway Band and Rodeo promoter Mr. St. John Robinson & champion American rough rider Frank Maynard. Approximately 200 horsemen, horsewomen, girls and boys were in the parade.
Source: Townsville Daily Bulletin (photo: D. J. Painiger)
Footage of the Townsville Railway Band marching at the helm of the parade is at the below link from the australianscreen website: http://aso.gov.au/titles/documentaries/rodeo/clip1/
In the months leading up to Easter 2026, Townsville Brass was in preparation mode for attending the Nationals in Brisbane. We found our sections becoming a little competitive, leading to a bit of an unofficial social media contest. Here are some of the photos. You'll notice the horns sitting in the solo cornet chairs, so of course the cornets had to return fire!
In January 2025, four members of our organisation participated in the Queensland Band Association Youth Band Camp in Brisbane.
Townsville Brass attended the 2019 National Band Championships in Brisbane.
Townsville Brass attended the 2018 National Band Championships in Melbourne.
Townsville Brass and Brolga Brass attended the 2015 State Band Championships in Townsville.
Townsville Brass and Brolga Brass attended the 2014 National Band Championships in Brisbane.
Townsville Brass attended the 2012 National Band Championships in Melbourne.
Townsville Brass attended the 2011 National Band Championships in Adelaide.
Townsville Brass attended the 2010 Northern Zone Band Championships in Cairns.
Townsville Brass attended the 2010 National Band Championships in Hobart.
Townsville Brass attended the 2009 National Band Championships in Sydney.
Townsville Brass attended the 2008 National Band Championships in Brisbane.
This photo was copied from a post by Air Training Corps alumni. Early 1970s. A former MD, Peter Alloway, leading, unsure of Drum Major. Roy Hosking and David McCulloch are there (Roy is beside the Drum Major right arm). Geoff Bolster is on Eupho. The Band is the origin of Townsville Junior Citizens Band and was active through the late 60s and through 70s.
The Townsville Railway Band competed in its first interstate championship in March 1923 under Mr. Lou Gray, in Brisbane. While classified as a B-Grade band, they also competed in A-Grade.
They were one of the first bands to arrive, and gave a concert at Wickham Park on Sunday night, March 25th. The Brisbane Daily Standard Newspaper referred to the Townsville Railway Band as "something in the nature of a dark horse". They had recently won all sections they entered in at the North Queensland contest in Townsville.
Townsville Railway Band won the B-Grade competition where the band played Test Piece "Classic Suite in D: by Cyril Jenkins, "The President" Street March (78 points) and Diagram March (70 points) for a grand total of 333 points..
On 30 March 1923, Townsville Railway Band came third in the A-Grade competition playing Quick-Step March "The President" (78 points), Diagram March (67 points) and the "Cavelleria Rustica" test piece for a grand total of 315 points.
Townsville Railway Band came first in both the A and B Grade Parade of Bands.
Photo by Regent Studio.
The Townsville Railway Band won the A and B Grade North Queensland Championships in 1922, held in Townsville. Out of 22 contest starts to date, the Townsville Railway Band secured premiere honours on 19 occasions, came 2nd twice and 3rd once. They were the holders of 6 beautiful silver Cups, 4 Championship Certificates, 60 medals and several other trophies which were to be displayed in the Kodak window for viewing.
The Townsville Railway Band won the North Queensland A Grade Championship in 1921, held in Charters Towers.
The Townsville Railway Band won the C-Grade North Queensland Championship in 1920, held in Cairns.
The Townsville Railway Band competed in the Rockhampton Band Contest at the Rockhampton showgrounds in Jan 1919 with 27 regular players (dark blue uniform with red and dark facings) and three emergency players under the conductorship of Mr. F. Teague. The band came 3rd in the A and B Grade championships. This was the first band contest held in Rockhampton in just over 12 years. Contest selection "Verdi's Works" (arr. Rimmer) was played at Lissner Park in the lead up to a large audience. Townsville scored 180 points for B-Grade Test Piece "Satanella" (Greenwood), 3 points from first place, which netted Townsville a prize of 10 pounds. A brave performance was also given for A-Grade Test Piece "Tachaikowsky" (W Rimmer) where 110 points were earned.
Townsville came fourth in the A-grade own-choice street march "Twentieth Century", scoring 79 points - only 4 points behind winning band Maryborough Naval band."The Band opened well. The cornets and sopranos were not always in perfect agreement later: but the trombones were fairly effective. ... The trio was much better. The band was tuneful and the soprano did very well," noted adjudicator Mr. Albert Wade (Ipswich City Vice-Regal Band bandmaster, and former New Zealand bandmaster winning several international competitions).
Townsville also performed the same song for the Evolution march where points are awarded for music, marching and appearance. LTCOL D. D. Dawson accompanied by CAPT Simcocks judged the march and appearance. Townsville Railway Band came third, with the adjudicator commenting it made a fair start and that the trio went well until "one cornet did not repeat and kicked things up for a few bars".
Townsville Railway Soloists also led from the front. Our cornet player A. Farren, a 14 year old lad at the time placed first in the novice cornet solo "Non E Ver" with 82 points, 2 points ahead of his nearest rival, receiving a gold medal and congratulations from the adjudicator. Young Farren was then carried shoulder high amongst much cheering from the audience. Fellow cornet player H. Shepherd took out the B Grade cornet solo scoring 88 points with "O Lovely Morn", 4 points higher than Townsville Railway colleague W. Holmes who came second. Bandmates O. Forbes also took out the BBb solo with "Te Anau" on 70 points, and J. Hooper took out the Baritone solo playing "Wiederkehr". P. Hooper tied second on 94 points with "Cavalliera", just two points behind first place. Similarly our soprano A.F. Neilson also tied second in the soprano cornet solo competition with "O Lovely Night", just one point behind first place.
The competition was not without controversy with several protests lodged, mostly regarding the right of the Rockhampton City Concert Band to compete. One example was the band had one band member registered in two bands (Rockhampton and NSW) at the same time - which is not permitted in competition. The Queensland Band Association ultimately decided to allow the band to continue competing. This was met with great uproar and delayed day 2's B-Grade street march program where several bands went on strike and refused to continue unless the Rockhampton band was prohibited from competing. Several southern bands (Childers, Bundaberg and Maryborough) stated they would be catching the mail train home! Much persuasion from the Queensland Band Association, Rockhampton Municipal Band and Contest Committee was required to encourage the objectors to back down and resume competing, on the proviso that the matter would be referred to the QBA Executive (which consisted of representatives of 34 Queensland bands). However, it was alleged that most of these band representatives were from the Brisbane region and therefore any decision on regional/central Queensland bands should be treated with suspicion. A subsequent suggestion was raised for central and Northern Queensland bands to create their own Executive, with the headquarters to be based in Rockhampton or Maryborough.
A special mention was made to the Charter Towers Band, with conductor Mr. J. M. Clarke in attendance. The Charters Towers Band had won the Queensland Championship for 3 consecutive years prior to WWI. Thirty-three band members enlisted when the war broke out. Four members, including the principal cornet player made the ultimate sacrifice, and another seven who returned will never play again. It was noted that no other known band in the world has such a history.
Source: Daily Record (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1897 - 1922), sourced via TROVE
The Townsville Railway Band Association was formed in 1919 for the purposes of controlling the band, managing finances and addressing business matters. This was an important step to raise the standard of the band. The association consisted of a band representative and non-members.
Within 5 years of being established, on 1 Jan 1918, the Townsville Railway Band achieved its first Championship win (C-Grade) of Queensland at the Maryborough Band Contest under bandmaster F. Teague.
Caption: Townsville Railway Band, Maryborough Band Contest 1 January 1918 (Conductor F. Teague), First in C Grade Championship (courtesy of State Library of Queensland)
In late 1912, a group of determined railway employees put forward a bold proposal: Townsville should have its own Railway Band. When the Commissioner for Railways, Colonel Evans, visited the North, a deputation met with him to request support, and he was sympathetic to the cause. Once the provisional committee demonstrated genuine progress, the Railway Department granted £100 to help establish the new ensemble.
Railway staff across the district backed the project wholeheartedly. Subscriptions from employees poured in, allowing the committee to order a complete set of instruments. And not just any instruments: 18 brand‑new Boosey Class B brass instruments, delivered to Townsville on 13 March 1913.
With instruments finally in hand, the band held its first rehearsal in April 1913 under its inaugural bandmaster, Mr Fred. C. Harris. Mr Harris was a self-taught bandsman who began his career under Mr Emmerson of the Charters Towers Kennedy Regiment Band. He also contested as a percussionist before being deputy bandmaster of the Kennedy District Band under Mr. F. Affoo for 4 or 5 years before taking up the post of bandmaster of the Townsville Railway Band.
Several weeks later, on 22 May 1913, the Townsville Railway Band marked its earliest known public appearance at a social and dance at his Majesty's Theatre at the School of Arts. Over 200 people attended. Music was provided by an orchestra consisting of Mr F. Harris (pianist), Mr. J Fisher and Mr. A Walsh (violins) and Mr. Roberts and Mr. Vesperman (cornetists).
The band consisted of 12 playing members, 8 learners, 18 instruments and 2 drums. The Commissioner for Railways was the band patron. Committee members Mr J. Campbell, Mr D. Farr, Mr. L Boyd, Mr J. Harris, assisted by Ms. J. O Campbell and Ms. Trane were complimented on the success of their efforts. The committee president was Mr. A W. Pigott, Mr. J. McSherry was the chairman, Mr. B. Farr was the secretary and Mr. E. G. Kent was the treasurer.