From the Director’s Desk

RAN BAND NEWS EDITION NUMBER 4 30 JUNE 2004

RAN BAND DETACHMENT IN TURKEY FOR ANZAC DAY 2004 CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON AT THE DAWN SERVICE, BAGHDAD, 2004

FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK

This month marks two years since I was given the privilege of leading the RAN Band. It is timely that in this edition I recap on some of our achievements during this period but in particular, our outcomes since the band transferred from Maritime Command to Australian Navy Systems Command last July. The previous editions of our newsletter give testimony of where we’ve been and how we travelled that journey. However, recent tasks have highlighted a period of significant achievement. Importantly, since the transfer to Navy Systems Command the band has continued its effort to renew and reshape itself to serve Navy as its needs change. The band’s funding situation remains difficult and this has, to some extent, required us to review the way that we do business. Nonetheless, and despite the angst caused through this funding position, the band’s national results have been impressive. Since the transfer the band has completed more than 510 missions for Navy (that’s 85 more task than last Financial Year). Our performance for the Welcome Home Ceremony for HMAS Kanimbla, the release of two new recordings (a Flagship Recital and Cruising Stations), our contribution to the Commissioning Ceremony for HMAS Parramatta, our Flagship Recital at the Eugene Goossen's Hall in Sydney marking the 90th anniversary of the band, and our role in the Commissioning Ceremony for HMAS Ballarat were nation best. Furthermore, our public relations figures remain strong and our web-site has achieved significant page view and music down load results since going on the net. Importantly though, since the transfer to Australian Navy Systems Command we have continued to reestablish our links with the Fleet by embarking musicians in HMAS Warramunga, HMAS Tobruk, HMAS Arunta and HMAS Parramatta. These deployments have followed on from the previous year with deployments in HMAS Kanimbla (on two occasions), HMAS Sydney, and HMAS Adelaide.

The results from this Sea Deployment initiative have been significant and integral to the band’s image within the wider naval community; they have also brought much overseas travel opportunity for our musicians. We will continue to manage this initiative on our terms by choosing the right deployments and where possible, only sending people who seek this opportunity. The deployment of an element of the band to the Middle East as part of the Tour de Force Middle East Area of Operations during Christmas 2003 and the New Year demonstrated to our deployed forces the calibre of Navy’s musicians along with the band's impressive musical capability. More recently, the band’s detachments extended Navy's reach in the week prior to Anzac Day with performances in Kalgoorlie and Alice Springs, and on Anzac Day detachments of the band performed in most major capital cities across the nation achieving wide media coverage. The reserve component of the band plays an important role in extending the band’s reach. These small ensembles of part-time musicians continue to find improvement in the quality of their output and remain a very effective contributor to the band’s national image and its outcomes. The performances to record crowds at the Dawn Services in Melbourne and Sydney were noteworthy; as was the contribution by one of our buglers at the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Tennant Creek. Furthermore, the performances at Anzac Day services in Hobart by former members of the band help to keep Navy's image alive in the wider community. This unofficial 8th detachment (past members of the RAN Band) has an important role in supporting the current generation of musicians and represents the significant contribution members of the band have given their nation over many years. I was pleased to recently be invited to become one of the Patron’s of the RAN Band Association. I have accepted that invitation and hope that my involvement with the association with help to re-establish our ties with our past members. However, most notable and reflecting the significant role that the band has in promoting Navy's image across the nation and on the international stage were: • radio interviews from Gallipoli with some of our musicians; • performances by our musicians at the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove and at the memorial service at Lone Pine; and • the contribution by one of our buglers at the Dawn Service in Baghdad in the presence of the Prime Minister, Senior Representatives from our Coalition Partners and members of our deployed forces. The RAN Band plays an invaluable role in keeping Navy in the public consciousness. It maintains one of Navy's most consistent and significant public engagement profiles, and continues to support Fleet activities through ship borne deployments of small elements of musicians. This edition of RAN Band News contains many personal accounts from members and their experiences on Anzac Day as well as articles which so how busy we have been and all the fantastic places that we have taken Navy’s image. Well done on your achievements. Before I sign off I would like to acknowledge the very strong contribution given the RAN Band by Lieutenant Steven Cottier who departs the Royal Australian Navy in the coming months to commence a new path in his career. Steven has been a loyal and hard-working member of the RAN Band since he enlisted on 17 September 1978. He is currently the Senior Instructor at the Defence Force School of Music and has enjoyed postings as a musician in all of our permanent detachments as well as leadership experience as the Bandmaster of the South Australian detachment and Music Director of the Melbourne detachment. A more dedicated member of our team would be hard to find. On behalf of the RAN Band I wish him, Karen and family every success on their next journey together and thank them for the friendship that they have shared with us.