Both Marion Bands attended Mount Gambier’s Christmas Festival again this year. The big annual event took place on Saturday, 17th November, on a warm sunny day

Warriparinga Brass youngsters settling down on their trailer ready to join the Pageant (right) and below the Band on stage

Photo’s by Andrew Bradley

From mid November to mid December Marion players joined in the Christmas festivities at four venues around Adelaide. The selection of photographs below illustrate the spread of this year’s events.                                                                                Photo’s by Lavina

The above photo’ captures the band stepping out in Norwood’s annual Pageant.

 Whilst the picture to the left shows players in full flight at the Glenelg event on 25th November  

Happy New Year

to our Readers  

Marion City Band stride out in warm conditions in the Mt Barker Pageant on 1st December. (above)

And to the left the pic’ shows the players marching in the Blackwood event on Friday evening, 7th Dec’   

And finally to Port Broughton on 15th Dec’, the last Pageant of the year. Twenty members of Marion City Band travelled North for the third year running. This event includes a march, carol service and bonza social activity which is thoroughly enjoyed by the players and supporters  

Marion Bands held their ‘break-up’ event on 12th December. The evening began with a visit to Norfolk Village by a combined group of players.

The object, to spread some Christmas Cheer amongst ‘older folk’ in the Marion community   

And now for someting quite different ... Sarah and (daughter) Chelsea delighted the audience with an exquisite display of ‘belly-dancing’!  Credit to the girls for courageously bringing a fragment of another culture to the sleepy South Coast town. Sorry, photo’s were censored by the ‘Board’ (elderly ladies, in cardigans and sensible shoes) ... just joking!

Marion Band Set 3 opened with the Band’s female entertainer Natalie, who treated the audience to a series of traditional cabaret items. These included ‘All that Jazz’ and ‘Basin Street Blues’.  She followed this with a dance session. Initially with ‘Singing in the Rain’, followed by two Germanic Polka.  These prompted David (again) to reach for this accordion to add a Bavarian touch. 

On Sunday 5th August both Marion Bands appeared at the Strathalbyn Band Festival.

Warriparinga Brass is pictured left during their stage performance.

The youngsters, with a little help from a few ‘oldies’, opened their programme with ‘A Ceremonial March’, followed by renditions of ‘Flintstones’, a ‘Cossack Dance’, ‘Rock the Joyful Canon’ ... closing with ‘Toccata in D Minor’      

Pictured right is the Marion Senior Band  

Dean performing the Flugal solo ‘By the Time I get to Phoenix’  

Graham’s Playground Dedicated  

On Sunday 12 August the City of Marion’s Mayor Felicity-Anne Lewis, opened a new Playground in the Cosgrove Hall Precinct.  The facility was named after former Councilor Graham Watts in recognition of 21 dedicated years of service to the  Marion community.

The event was held on the site in front of a supportive crowd, which included Council Members, relatives and friends. The proceedings included speeches of appreciation by the Mayor and other Dignitaries focussing on Graham’s service, including his significant work in the Clovelly Park area.

One very important contribution during his tenure was his 16 year dedication to Marion City Band, as liaison with Council.  On his retirement form Council Graham was appointed President of the Band.    

Marion City’s Mayor with Graham at the ceremony   

Members of Marion City Band provided light entertainment for the occasion  

Members of Warriparinga Brass paricipated in Adelaide Uni’s ‘Battle of the Bands’ on Sunday, 26th August.

The event was was held in a marquee on the lawns adjacent to Elder Hall on a very warm afternoon. In true Warri’ tradition the youngsters (and one or two ‘oldsters’) rose admirably to the occasion, delivering a bracket of popular and classic pieces for .an appreciative audience     

Warriparinga Brass players during the event (above) ... and the Cornet section is shown on the right    

Mal’s 30th Anniversary!

Mal’ recorded a personal milestone on 12th September when he celebrated his 30th year with Marion City Band.

The occasion was marked at Rehearsal on the 12th complete with speeches and a very tasty cake

Jack’s ‘not so good news’

We regret to report that jack and his wife were injured in a motor vehicle accident on 10th October.

Whilst Jack suffered fractured bones to ankle, ribs and pelvis, Norma was rather more fortunate and was discharged from Hospital after a few days

Wear e now pleased to advise that after a surgical session or two, Jack is now recovering quietly in the Repat’ hospital.  Recent visitors report the ‘old fella’ is looking well and very perky!