History

General

The Longreach Friendly Societies Band was formed in 1892 to later become the Longreach Town Band we now know today. We started as a men's brass band and Longreach was one of many towns in Western Queensland to have its own band. See the detailed history of the band and changes throughout the decades below.

Take note of the different uniforms and instruments this band has used over the time and appreciate the history that these men, and later women, have provided for us.

Missing Memories

This page is a work in progress...

Keep an eye on this page to watch history reveal itself for the Longreach Town Band.

If you are concerned that your story or a relative's story is not on this page, don't be upset, act! Write it down, or record your voice, or scan the photographs, or wrap the objects in bubble wrap and send it/them in. Also, be aware that if you are able to donate your time as a volunteer, the band has a great need for people to coordinate our historical  collections. We would also like volunteers who can make contact with past members and their families to collect stories and artifacts and prepare them for this website.

Decades of Dedication

At the band's 120th anniversary concert, members presented vignettes by decade so that pattern is followed here. If you don't like it, please volunteer to improve it! We will add more details and images as time goes on so please let us know if you have anything to add and stop by later to see the changes.

1892-1901

1892
The Band of the United Friendly Societies was formed in 1892 as a Brass Band. The first playout was reported in a newspaper article on the 1st of March 1892

[article coming soon]

1896

Longreach United Friendly Societies' Brass Band 1896

1897
On Tuesday the 23rd of March 1897, an newspaper article was published in The Western Champion and General Advertiser for the Central-Western Districts (Barcaldine, Qld. : 1892 - 1922).

An excerpt from the article is shown below:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/76380431

The Band Entertainment at Longreach

IT is our opinion that there has never been a more successful concert held in Longreach than that held in the Town Hall on St. Patrick's night. As soon as the doors were opened the crowd began to pour in [...]

The curtain rose shortly after eight o'clock, and the band of the United Friendly Societies (under the baton of the bandmaster, Mr. C. J. Davis) opened up the programme by an excellent rendition of an overture selection of popular Irish airs, "Gems of Erin," a special composition for the occasion, composed and arranged by our local bandmaster. [...]

1900

Longreach United Friendly Societies' Brass Band 1900

1901
Our band was already in its ninth year when the six colonies came together to form the Commonwealth of Australia on the 1st of January 1901.

1902-1911

1902

Longreach United Friendly Societies' Brass Band - Barcaldine 1902

The band still owns and plays from music books purchased in this early period.

1912-1921

1914
Many bandsmen (the limited records available indicate that all members were men in this period) followed the colours and served in the Great War 1914-1918.

Longreach Town Band 1914

Back Row: D. Wyland, W. Collins, ??, R. French
2nd Row: V. Laffin, J. Tidswell, S. Woods, J. Cook, R. Andrews, ??, W. Perriman, H. Sykes, D. Wyland
3rd Row: H. Lockyer, A Kooymans, ??, ??, T. Guy (Bandmaster), R. Adam, G. Thurecht, W. Clarke, D. McPherson

Thomas Guy accepted the position of bandmaster to the Longreach Town Band and moved to Longreach in September 1913 from Bowen. He was bandmaster and secretary from 1913 until 1919 and brought the band as a whole to a higher standard both musically and financially during this time.

1919

Longreach Town Band - Queensland 1919

Back row: C. Kingston; W. Afoo; unidentified; W. Mellick; unidentified; V. Gibbard.
Fourth row: W. Rossberg; D, Whitehead; W. Gibbard; J. Tidswell; W. Perry; G. W. Adam; A. Duffy.
Third row: H. Lockyer; J. Browne; F. Nehmer; V. Lappin; W. Perriman; R. Hodgen; C. Nehmer; R. Adam; J. Browne.
Second row: A. Davies; A. Thurecht; G. Thurecht; J. Long (Bandmaster); W. Jarvic; R. Thurecht; A. Smith; J. Baker.
Front row: H. Donnely; M. Loxoran; J. Rossberg; R. R. Rossberg; A. Anderson; R. Holmberg.
(SLQ) --

1921
November Article: “Mr W. Crew (bandmaster), tendered his 'resignation' owing- to ill health and was granted 3 months' leave of absence while a temporary bandmaster was appointed for the time.”
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/62439590

1922-1931

1925

Edwards Martin's Band (Longreach) circa 1925

Back Row: C. Nehmer, N. Hof, F.T. Hall, W. O'Neil, W. Stinson, J. Vaughan
2nd Row: W. Kennedy (Der. B. Mast), G. Majury, L. Goy, R. Adam (V. Ores), L. Ramage, F. Nehmer, W. Lambert
Front Row: G. Lanham, P.C. Rawlins, W. Smith, J. Genninges (Hon Sec), J. Jackson (Band Mast), W. O'Neil (Treas), A. Davies, J. Muller, C. Meyers
Front: Colin Genninges (Mascot)

1926
Edwards Martin was very involved in the Longreach Town Band and passed away in 1926. Below is a link to an article of his funeral and his support of the community and the Longreach Town Band. The article states "His passion for band music was responsible for his forming the Longreach Town Band..."

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/40795163

Other articles of this time
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/39342196

1927

Longreach Town Band - Country Grade Champions 1927

Back Row: A. Swan, L. Riddell, A. C. Partridge (dep. B. Mast), M. McClure, J. Smith, W. Hansen (Treas)
2nd Row: C. Hitzman, W. Browne, A. Ayling, F. Snell (sec), W. Hitzman, A. Anderson, W. Baker, K. Nicholls
Front Row: S. Cullimore, R. Gavin, A. Harvey, W. H. Thurecht, F. Affoo (B Mast), R. Bean, A. White, F. Hagadorn, O. Affoo
Ground: A. Tidswell, H. Lockyer

1928

Longreach Town Band - Longreach Main St 1928

The Longreach Town Band played for the opening of the new Shire Hall by Governor Sir John Goodwin on 15th of May 1928.

1930

Longreach Town Band - Rockhampton Contest 1930

Back Row: [N. or C.] Croy, A. White (Treas), C. Hooper, H. Meares (Sec & Mgr), A. Anderson, C. Nehmer, N. [Hof or Huffe]
2nd Row: A. Ayling, (V.P.), J. Power, S. Harvey, T. [Tighe or Tye], J. Hitzman, S. Munzenberger, W. Tanks, F. Snell, R. Adam, A. Hallam
Front Row: [W. or P.] Horstman (standing), F. [Hagedorn or Hagerdorn], G. Smith, G. Ford (Dep. Cond), W. [Wagner or Wager], F. Wedd (Cond), K. [Nicholls or Nicol], P. Browne, W. McClure, A. Harvey, C. [Minkin or Meekham]
Ground: A. Tidswell, R. Jackson
Absent: A. C. Partridge

1932-1941

In this decade, the band enlisted en masse in the citizens Military Forces to become the 25th Battalion, Longreach Town Band.

1933

Longreach Town Band - Mackay Contest 1933

Back Row: ??, ??, ??, A. Anderson, J. Smith, R. McClure, A. Swan, C. Nehmer, T. Lynne
2nd Row: S. Donelly, ??, ??, R. Adam, A. White, A. Sargent, A. Partridge, P. O'Sullivan, G. O'Sullivan, D. Meares
Front Row: ?. McClure, O. Affoo, H. Davies, W. Wager, F. Affoo (B Mast) A. Harvey, P. Browne, S. Harvey, W. McClure
Insets: B. Tanks, G. Hitzman

1935

Longreach Town Band - First Australian Band Contest, Bundaberg 1935

Back Row: D. Meares, G. Smith
2nd Row: D. Ross, W. Shakespeare, A. White, H. Meares (President), T. Brentnall, C. Fitzgerald, C. Nehmer
3rd Row: R. Adams, W. Tanks, S. O'Sullivan, T. Lynn, L. Anderson, A. Partridge (Sec), D. Ross, A. Anderson
Front Row: R. McClure, O. Affoo, H. Davies, A. Davies, F. Affoo (Cond), W. McClure, P. O'Sullivan, P. Browne, C. Minkim
Ground: L. Powell, C. Partridge

1937

Longreach Town Band 1937

Back Row: E. Hawkins, L. McPherson, L. Vale, A. Swan, A. Anderson, H. Shakespeare, ?. Hocke, S. Harvey, C. Wilkenson
2nd Row: C. Fitzgerald, C. Partridge, L. Anderson, T. Lynn, A. White, L. Meacham, R. Setter, A. Partridge, R. Adam, T. Brentnall
Front Row: H. D-Meares, R. McClure, O. Affoo, H. Davies, G. Simpson (B Mast), W. McClure, P. Sullivan, M. Quirk, G. Copson
Absent: W. Tanks

1942-1951

This decade has no information! Please help us by providing anything you know or have that relates to this time period.

1952-1961

1953

Longreach Town Band - Rockhampton Contest 1953

Back Row: T. Tanks, ??, R. Barr, B. Evans, L. Lasker, F. Balderson
2nd Row: T. Setter, O. Smith, W. Tanks, ?. Sexton, T. Brentnall, A. Coleman, R. Eyre, S. Lasker
Front Row: G. Copson, A. Carbis, H. Davies, T. Wellings (B Mast), T. Eisentrager, P. McGovern, B. Braggs
Ground: K. Barr

1956

Longreach Town Band - Brisbane Contest 1956

Back Row: F. Balderson, Julius ?, M. Barnsfield, Joe ?, R. Williamson
2nd Row: J. Carbis, R. Eyre, S. Emslie, K. Balderson, R. Finlay, R. Plumb
3rd Row: J. Power, D. Carbis, A. Coleman, A. Sutton, T. Sutton, W. Tanks, P. McGovern
Front Row: T. Setter, G. Copson, L. Brown, A. Carbis (B Mast), G. Caribs, O. Brandstettor, J. Power
​Ground: P. Tanks, R. Carbis

Longreach Town Band - Qld Band Championships, Brisbane 1956

Marching under the baton of A. Carbis

1957

Longreach Town Band - Southport 1957

Archie Carbis (B Mast), Les Leisfield (Tenor Horn)

1959

Archie-bald Locker and his family migrated from the UK in 1959 at the request of the Longreach Town Band through a magazine called "The Bandsman" with a position offered as Bandmaster. Archie-bald Locker, with his wife Iris and 4 boys David, Philip and twins Malcolm and Brian, arrived in Longreach around April 1959, where he worked at the local council as a soil tester for main roads. He lived on Galah Street and played in the band with Bill Tanks (a butcher at the time) and Bob Barr.

The Longreach Town Band and Archie-bald's own sons would love to know more about this time period. If you have any information at all please contact us!

Princess Alexandra visited Rosebank Station in the Longreach district in August 1959, and the Longreach Town Band played.

1962-1971

The district went through an appalling drought in 1969 and 1970, so Queen Elizabeth's visit to Longreach in 1970 was very welcome.

1968

Longreach Town Band - Qld Band Championships, Maryborough 1968

Back Row: M. Coleman, M. Davies, M. Balderson, W. Browne, B. Emslie, B. McKay
2nd Row: A. Sutton, A. Coleman, J. Dennis, P. Tanks, M. Gleeson, R. Clarke, M. Lorraway, T. Tanks
Front Row: T. Ravenscroft (Sec), D. Robinson, S. Emslie, W. J. Tanks (B Mast), L. Nehmer, A. Page, M. Tanks
Ground: G. Browne, V. Woodfield, L. Setter
Inset: R. Seabrook (D Major)
​Absent: H. Dennis

1972-1981

We have no information from this time period, if you know any information or have any photos please contact us as we would love to know more!

1982-1991

1987

Longreach Town Band March 1987

Back Row: M. Stock, M. Emslie, O. Brandstettor
2nd Row: P. Tanks, T. Tanks, L. Lasker, M. Davies
3rd Row: R. Ravenscroft, S. Lasker, J. McGovern, P. McGovern
​Front Row: B. Shakespeare, M. Tanks, T. Tanks, S. Emslie

Longreach Town Band - Centenary 1987

Back Row: M. Stock, D. Brandstetter, B. Shakespeare, J. McGovern, L. Lasker, M. Emslie
2nd Row: P Tanks, M. Tanks, R. Ravenscroft, T. Tanks, P. McGovern
Front Row: M. Davies, S. Lasker, S. Emslie (B Mast), T. Tanks

1988

The Queen returned to Longreach to open the Stockman's Hall of Fame in 1988.

1990

Longreach Town Band - Longreach Labor Day March 1990

Longreach Town Band - Starlight Parade 1990

Longreach Town Band - 1990

Back Row: P. Hodge, L. McGovern, J. McvGovern, S. Laser, T. Tanks, P. Williams, G. Cameron, V. Woodfield, T. Smythe, B. Shakespeare, S. Emslie,
Front Row: T. Tanks, O. Brandstettor, P. Tanks, L. Lasker, M. Tanks, B. Harris

Longreach Town Band - 1990

1992-2001

2001

Longreach Town Band - Centenary of Federation, Longreach 2001

2002-2011

The band experimented with a concert band format but was unable to achieve a critical mass of woodwind players

2002

Longreach Town Band - Qantas Museum Official Opening 2002

Left to Right: M. Thornhill, P. McGovern, B. Bowden, T. Baker, O. Brandstetter, S. Lasker, P. Tanks, H. Florey (B Mast), M. Tanks, T. Tanks
Absent: L. Lasker, S. Emslie

2007

Longreach Town Band - Ilfracombe 2007

Back Row: N. Hill, M. Jackson, D. Gretton, B. Bowden, M. Thornhill, R. Douglas
2nd Row: P. Tanks, T. Tanks, J. Arnold, M. Tanks, B. Shakespeare, G. Hughes
Front Row: M. Tanks, L. Neuendorf

Longreach Town Band - The Greatest Show on Earth, Ilfracombe 2007

The Greatest Show on Earth
Back Row: T. Tanks, A. Warren, M. Jackson, G. Hughes, P. Tanks, S. Saunders (Composer/Music Director), M. Thornhill, M. Tanks, L. Neuendorf, N. Hill (Instructor/Organiser), P. Nolan (Director), D. Gretton
Front Row: B. Bowden, M. Tanks, J. Arnold

2012-2021

The Prince of Wales and the Duches of Cornwall also visited the town.

2012

Longreach Town Band - Royal Visit, Longreach 2012

Longreach Town Band - Royal Visit 2012

Longreach Town Band - 2012