Koo-Wee-Rup Brass Band

From Mickle Memories by David Mickle - April 1919: An Enthusiastic meeting in the Koo-Wee-Rup Hall resolved to form a band. Mr G. F. Hopkins presided as Chairman. George Wain was elected President, H.D Mills as Secretary and the following signified that they would join the band - Vernon Mills, A. Purnell (the railway stationmaster), W. Ellett, Billy Ellett, Jack Dalley (injured in the level crossing smash later), D. Blackwood, H. Ellett, F. Boag (Frank or Fred they had  a boarding house in Rossiter’s road near Keighery’s old store) Alf Jeremiah, H. Legge, L. Poole (either Lawson Poole of Tooradin or his cousin Lawson Poole of Cranbourne) 

Others who volunteered for the band were A. C. Colvin (Froggie), Harris D. Mills, Tom Jack, W. Holt, W. Dyer (probably the potato inspector) Ray Mills (Vern’s brother), E. and B. Coates,  Bill Petters and Jim Gardiner (mentioned as the Scottish lamp lighter).

Patrons elected were Cr D. MacGregor, Shire President at the time; J.T. O’Brien, a Councillor who lived at Yallock;  W. C Greaves,  A. Cameron, E Simpson Hill,  a Councillor from Tooradin way; D.J Bourke of the great Bourke Brothers of Monomeith and  J. A Mickle, my uncle.  Quite a turn up of local enthusiasts to work and assist the band.       

I don’t know how long this band went for - they were still going in 1923. In 1923, Mickle also mentions the Koo-Wee-Rup Choral Society. In July that year they performed the play Robin Hood, conducted by Madame Bredin.  Dave Mickle recalled that at the full dress rehearsal he took his first flashlight photograph. The flashlight consisted of magnesium paper that was set alight by a match - the flash paper was on a metal tray and went off with a great flash. Dave was doubtful that the first flash worked so he decided to take a second photograph using two sheets of magnesium but many of the Choral Society were so frightened by the first experience they refused to take part a second time!

I was also interested to find that in 1932 Koo-Wee-Rup had a Mouth Organ band, with five performers and with Miss Mavis Colvin as pianist.

Cranbourne had Brass Band, which was founded in May 1899 and we have the Minutes book of another Cranbourne Brass Band which was established on March 24, 1928 - the Minutes book ends in 1934; I don’t know how long the band went on for after that. At the other end of the Swamp, the Iona Brass Band was formed in 1909 and disbanded about 1916 when half their members enlisted in the War.  

   

Koo-Wee-Rup Brass Band 1919

Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp Historical Society photograph