Although its specific origin is somewhat blurry, the Nowra Town Band was formed in 1880 as a successor to the defunct Crystal Spring Brass Band based in Numbaa. The Crystal Spring Brass Band, which was formed in 1871, was associated with the Crystal Spring Division of the Sons of Temperance of Shoalhaven. 1873 saw disastrous floods affect the Numbaa/Terara area, and in the mid to late 1870s the Shoalhaven Brass Band emerged in its place. Around 1880 the Nowra Town Band emerged, and has been operating ever since.
First known image of the Nowra Town Band, 1889. From left to right: F. Rogers, R. Brown, D. Linkenbagh, F. Taylor, J. Brooks, T. Linkenbagh, G. Millwood, J. Lawrence (Bandmaster), W. Linkenbagh, G. Schadel. Nowra Town Band Archives.
Throughout the early twentieth century, the Band grew both in numbers and in popularity as brass bands came to be a major form of entertainment. As its membership grew, the Band was able to participate in the annual Bathurst Band Contest in 1907 and 1921. In 1923, the Band purchased its very own Band Hall on Nowra Lane.
The Band's first Hall, year unknown. Nowra Town Band Archives.
1938 saw the Band go into recess due to a series of difficulties both internally and externally, which lasted for eight years. Its revival in 1944 can be attributed to bandsmen Ken and Bruce Abernethy. Ken had served as a bandsman in the Army during World War II, and upon returning home worked with Bruce to gather up some of the members and bring the Band back together. Ken and Bruce, alongside Bun McKinnon and Arthur, George, and Oliver Seymour, set about repairing the Band Hall from its eight years of disuse. In 1980, Bruce recalled the following story from the clean-up effort:
We opened up the box and Bun gets this blooming instrument out and starts blowing away, but not a blessed note came out. He said "I don't know what's in it ... the valves are working alright but she's not going too good. I'll soon find out. There was this great big tap with fire hose ... So Bun fills her up with water and just got to the door when out shot a damn great big black rat about that long ... nearly two feet it was ... and shot across the road.
The Band officially emerged from its recess in June 1944, when a Public Meeting was held for "the purpose of resuscitating the Nowra Town Band". The position of Bandmaster went to 24-year-old George Seymour, who upon his return from service in the army, was playing with the Berry Band. Despite initially agreeing to serve as Bandmaster for six months while the Band revived, he went on to hold the position for twenty-five years. Despite the difficulties that came with the post-war era, the Band prospered due to the dedication of its members, the spirit of which carries on to this day. From 14 members in 1944 following its revival, the Band grew to 18 in 1946, and by the following year membership had reached 24.
In 1947, the Band invested in 25 uniforms for its members, consisting of navy blue blazers with orange stripes and silver braiding, which remained as its uniform for thirty years. 1948 saw the South Coast Band Group organise a contest to be held in Milton in September, at which the Nowra Town Band came second.
The 1950s was one of the most eventful and successful eras for the Band. In 1952, the Grand Band Festival was held in October as part of the Shoalhaven Festival Week celebrations, and again in 1955. At the end of the latter Festival, Shoalhaven Shire Councillor Chittick "stressed the importance of an energetic band in the district and remarked how fortunate Nowra was in this regard." 1952 also saw the introduction of the Nowra Marching Girls' Association, and in 1957 the Grand Marching Display at the Nowra Showground drew twelve teams of Marching Girls and thousands of spectators. By 1958, membership of the Band itself had reached 39, a significant increase even from the 27 of December 1957.
Nowra Town Band, 1958. From left to right, top row: F. Harvey, K. Furness, T. Skinner. Second row: M. Taylor, B. Abernethy, C. Cooke, C. Sutherland, B. O'Keefe, P. Oakley, R. Morris, K. Mackay, A. Seymour, W. Jorgensen, D. Abernethy, K. Bindon. Third row: G. Bainbridge, L. Hills, T. Bate, A. Kimpton, D. Seymour, W. Seymour, I. Harvey (President), G. Seymour (Bandmaster), A. Smith (Drum Major), A. Booth, W. Madge, J. Beach, K. Brady, F. Pascoe, L. Harvey. Front row: G. Hitchcock, B. McGuire, A. Hills, J. Hills, R. Beach, D. Mitchell, G. Abernethy, H. Waterson, B. Brown. Nowra Town Band Archives.
The success of the 50s continued on into the 60s. The Band Hall was extended in 1960 to include a kitchen, a storeroom, and two toilets, thanks to the efforts of bandsmen Terry Skinner, Kevin Brady, and Don Abernethy. In 1961 the Band attended the Australian Band Championships in Dubbo, where they gained one second place and two third place prizes in the national championship, and came third in the New South Wales titles. The Band also placed first in the Street Marching Contest in Blacktown. 1964 saw the Band gain two second place prizes at the NSW State Band Championships held in Katoomba.
In 1969, after 25 years of service, Bandmaster George Seymour retired from the position, and was succeeded by Jack Grumley, who successfully introduced a Junior Band program for beginners. The Junior Band rapidly increased in popularity, and soon headed the junior section of the annual Anzac Parade. The participation of members in the Annual Eisteddfod in 1971 as solo items led to the introduction of a specific brass instrumental section the following year.
Beginners' Band, 1980. Left to right, top row: Hugh Robertson, Scott Fitzgerald, Martin O'Connor, Geoff Bardwell, Colin Goodger, Peter Leonard, John West. Second row: Robert Conroy, Barry Jeffrey, Stephen McKinnon, Michelle Dawson, Paul Thompson, Simon Droscher. Third row: Markus Tarrant, James O'Connor, James McCruddenn, Stephen O'Connor, Stuart Wood, Greg Chandler. Nowra Town Band Archives.
Throughout the 70s, the Band continued to hold its own concerts and attend contests and events both in and out of town. In 1975, Band membership reached an all-time high across its three divisions; 25 senior players, 23 juniors, and 22 beginners. Throughout the decade, the Band played at regular events such as fetes, Carols by Candlelight, and functions held by local groups, as well as special events throughout the region, including the Opening Ceremonies for Radio 2ST, Kangaroo Valley's Historical Settlement, Havenlee School, and Osborne House, and the visit of Governor-General Sir Zelman Cowen to the Shoalhaven.
In 1980, the Band celebrated its Centenary. A book was published, titled 1880-1980 Centenary: Nowra Town Band in the City of Shoalhaven. Alongside this publication, the Band Association held its NSW State Championships for C and D Grade Brass Bands in Nowra, the first time a contest of this calibre had been held in the town. The Nowra Town Band placed second, with a total score of 225.
Nowra Town Band, 1980. Left to right, top row: Scott Fitzgerald, Donna Harrison, Geoff Bardwell, Graeme Harrison, Martin O'Connor, Colin Goodger, Peter Leonard. Second row: Michael Harrison, Robert Sturgiss, Roy Sadler, Gordon Crawford, Ken Abernethy, Owen Crawford. Third row: Peter Chadwick, Greg Parnell, Ken Mackay, Joan Sadler, Bill Jorgensen, Mark Wright, Ian Cairns. Front row: John Griffith, Keith Furness, Wes Madge, Vic Girdlestone (Drum Major), Jack Grumley (Bandmaster), Charles Bardwell, Arthur Smith. Absent: George Godlewski, Max Croot, Ray Madge, Ian Scott, Graham Kettlewell. Nowra Town Band Archives.
Through the 80s and 90s, the Band made several appearances at the Canberra Festival Parade. The March 12th, 1989 edition of The Canberra Times mentions the Band marching alongside 83 other floats, ranging from social activists to political parties to naval bases.
In 1989, the Band purchased its current Band Hall on Kinghorne Street, a former Jehovah's Witness Church. As well as being the site of weekly practice, the Band also uses the Hall for fundraising sales and events such as the Country Craft Fair that was held in October 1994, and the annual Book Sale.
The Nowra Town Band at the Canberra Festival, 1987. Nowra Town Band Archives.
Although the Band rarely travels outside of the region for contests and events anymore, to this day, it continues its long tradition of performing at events around the Shoalhaven, both major and minor. The earliest record of the Band performing at the annual Nowra Show dates back to 1905- the Shoalhaven Telegraph noted on the 18th of February that the Band was "commended for the excellence of their playing" on the second day of the Show. The Band led the first Anzac Day service in Nowra on Sunday the 24th of April, 1921, and marches proudly every year. The Band has also revived the old tradition of holding concerts at the Nowra School of Arts, with two Brass at the Arts concerts being held annually.
The Nowra Town Band marching in Nowra's Anzac Parade, 1947. Nowra Town Band Archives.
In keeping with tradition, the Band has also relied on the support of the members' families from its inception. The minutes from the 1925 Annual Meeting make reference to the "Ladies' Committee", whose efforts in fundraising and organisation were fundamental to the success of the Band's endeavours. In 1928 the ladies had electric lights and power installed in the recently acquired band hall, however it was not until 1948 that this assistance was formalised in the form of the Ladies' Auxiliary. Although membership of the Auxiliary peaked at over twenty and their efforts kept the band financially afloat, the Auxiliary dissolved in 1979. To this day, however, the Band is supported by the families and friends of members who assist at various events and concerts throughout the year. While they may not be members of the Band itself, they are a vital part of the community.
The Marching Girls
Marching Girls and Officials, year unknown. Left to right: Tess Harvey (President), Maureen Bainbrigge, Lois Baxter, Marie Beverly, Jacqueline Oxley, Peggy Piercy, Hazel Seymour, Patt Tutt, Effie Seymour, Margaret Leece, Shirley Bryce, Barbara Howlett, Bob Harvey (Patron), Kevin Bindon and Arthur Booth (Drill Instructors). Nowra Town Band Archives.
In 1952, the sport of marching made its way from New Zealand to Australia. Soon after its rise in popularity, bandsman Arthur Booth raised the possibility of the Band sponsoring a team of Marching Girls in Nowra. Over the next thirty years, the Marching Girls had a multitude of victories at competitions around the state. At its peak of popularity in the 60s, the Band sponsored four teams in Nowra. The original two teams, Shoalhaven and Arwon, consisted of girls over the age of 15, and were later replaced by the Lylettes and the Stewarts. The junior team, the Nowra Waratahs, was for girls under the age of 10, and the Nowra Coronets was formed for those in between.
Marching Girls, year unknown. Nowra Town Band Archives.
Sources
"Band Contest Information: Nowra Town Band". Band Association of NSW Contest Database. <https://bandnsw.com/band-contest-database/>.
Bindon, Kevin. "Nowra Town Band Marching Girls". In 1880-1980 Centenary: Nowra Town Band in the City of Shoalhaven by John Griffith. Nowra: Nowra Town Band, 1980.