MSPA 316/08 Friday, 26 September 2008

GOLD ARIA AWARD FOR 'SALUTE TO THE AUSSIE DIGGER'

A musical tribute has today earned the Australian Army its first ever Gold ARIA Award. Presented during a ceremony at Victoria Barracks in Sydney, the award from the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) recognised the national distribution of over 38,000 copies of the compact disc, Salute to the Aussie Digger.

The CD project was conceived in 2003 by Australian Army Band - Sydney member, Warrant Officer Rod Mason.

"This is a wonderful achievement for the Australian Army Band Corp and is recognition of the sort of activities that all Army bands are involved in," WO Mason said. Following extensive research, script writing and music composition, the album was recorded over several months in 2004 by the Australian Army Band - Sydney, under the baton of Major Geoff Grey.

"With all of the elements of the project being completed 'in-house' from scripting and recording to sound engineering and graphic design, the CD is a very special achievement by members of the Australian Army Band Corps," MAJ Grey said. The album was launched at the Sydney Town Hall in November 2004 by leading historian Dr Jonathon King.

"This moving portrayal of Australia's proud military history narrated by Jack Thompson and brought together by modern-day soldiers, musicians, and historians, is a wonderful tribute to those who served and an invaluable educational tool for generations following on," Dr King said.

The recording features a wide variety of evocative music covering periods of conflict over the past 130 years and includes numerous compositions by members of the band. In addition to Jack Thompson's iconic voice, the recording also has contributions by General Peter Cosgrove (Retired).  The project had the honour of being under the patronage of then Governor General Major General Michael Jeffery and also features original sound effects sourced from the Australian War Memorial.

Since its release the CD has been included in national educational literature available in all Government secondary schools, issued to recruits upon march-out from the Army Recruit Training Centre and raised significant funds and awareness for Legacy.

Media contacts:

Sergeant Alan Pilgrim   Australian Army Band Sydney   0419 275 835

Raveena Carroll-Kenney  Defence Public Affairs - NSW  0405 310 176

DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE

Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT