1961 Fairbridge Boy Scout Troup bugler tries out CCB tuba at fete at Government House
October seems to be the month for fetes in Canberra.
Looking over our CCB archives, as well as Canberra Times historical articles, we see that October can be a busy time for the band. The weather is usually conducive to an outside gig (fingers crossed) and many community groups and schools organise their fetes for an October weekend.
We are reminded of this as one of our long term members (who is also the Deputy Principal of Charnwood-Dunlop School) Julia, has invited the band to perform at the school’s 50th Birthday Open Day Fete. (For those interested, it is on October 18 2025, at the Charnwood-Dunlop School, Bettington Circuit.) Our ensemble, John Agnew Band will be performing on this occasion.
When we looked back at our archives, we found that “On This Day" 13 Oct 1956, the recently formed ‘Learners Band’ of the CCB made their debut appearance at the Girls' Grammar School fete. We can see that the Canberra City Band also performed at the Fete a few times over the years (for example in October 1953).
In addition, while the below quote was regarding a fete which occurred in November, this article piqued our fancy:
Tue 30 Oct 1956 (Canberra Times page 5)
“The first annual birthday fete of the Rutherford Crescent Play Centre will be opened by Mr. Alan Fraser on Saturday at 2.45p.m. Mr. R. Hughes from 2CA will act as master of ceremonies. The Canberra City Band will be in attendance and there will be an exhibition of Scottish and Polish dancing. A dolls' house made by Mr. and Mrs. L. Bartou has been donated and will be raffled during the afternoon. A popular doll competition for girls under 12 will also be held. A 'fortune-telling" stall is included among the attractions. The fete will be held at the centre grounds.”
Canberra Times, 9 Oct 1956
BAND LEARNERS TO PLAY
The members of the learners class of the Canberra City Band conducted by the bandmaster, Mr. W, Hoffman, during the winter, will make their first appearance with the band at the Girls' Grammar School fete on Saturday. These seven players will bring the active membership to 36.
The band is preparing to attend the Band Festival to be held at Crookwell on November 4.
