Jack was born in Colac on 7th January 1927 to parents with a strong Salvation Army background and musical interests. He learned the piano together with his brother Allen, and played cornet and tenor horn in the Colac Salvation Army Band, where his brother also played trombone. They often played duets together.
His brother joined the Merchant Navy, but Jack worked with his father around the Western District, painting and decorating many of the local homes. His community service began there through the scouting movement as a Patrol Leader and Deputy Scoutmaster. Joining the RAAF near the end of World War 2, Jack trained in signals, and was posted to "Frognall" in Camberwell and then to Darwin. After demobilization he joined the PMG's Department (now Telstra).
Boarding in Glenhuntly brought him to the local Methodist Church, where he met a young lady in the choir named Elva, who played the piano. They married in 1950 and built a home in Chadstone, which was then a largely undeveloped area. They stayed there 30 years, and were members at the Chadstone Methodist Church, where they were both deeply involved in the musical side of worship, with Jack as choirmaster, and Elva as pianist and organist.
Just two years after their marriage Jack joined Malvern Municipal Band, where MD Bill Philpott encouraged him to play the flugel horn. On that instrument he won the National title in Perth in 1959, and went on to win three more:-
1964 Ballarat
1969 Tasmania
1980 South Australia
He was appointed Deputy Bandmaster at Malvern in 1970. The picture above shows Jack in the uniform of the Shire of Flinders Concert Band on the occasion of his winning the Victorian Open Flugel Horn Championship in 1985.
In 1974 Jack became Musical Director of Croydon Citizens' Brass Band, and during his tenure of seven years raised the standard of the band from 'D' to 'B' grade. Jack said he enjoyed his time at Croydon, teaching Junior players, and raising the general standard of the band. A particular highlight was the winning of the South Australian 'C' grade championship in 1978 from eight other bands. He left Croydon in 1980 as he had moved to his beach home in Rye, and on leaving was made an Honorary Life Member of Croydon Citizens' Bands. He was already an Honorary Life Member of Malvern Band (1978). He travelled to work in Melbourne each weekday for the next ten years.
Visiting the Shire of Flinders Concert Band in 1982, he was persuaded to become MD where once again he raised the standard of this non-contesting band, persuading them to join the VBL. In 1986 Jack and two young members from Flinders won at the VBL Solos, a feat which Jack repeated in 1989. Meanwhile Jack organized a church choir which grew to become the "Southern Peninsula Interchurch Choir"; the Band and the choir held joint concerts, and the choir tackled some quite difficult works under his direction. When he left the Flinders Band in 1991 he received another Honorary Life Membership.
In 1997 he retired from the choir, but continues to make music with a local group of five. His four children and at least nine grandchildren also keep him busy. Various members of the local Mornington Peninsula community groups submitted Jack's name for well deserved recognition, culminating in his receipt of an OAM.
The VBL congratulates Jack, and encourages bands and local communities to submit other names for awards. There were two other awards in the 1999 Australia Day honours relating to community music, and both were from NSW. We are sure there are many other worthy recipients in Victoria. The necessary papers for submission can be obtained from the Premier's Department.
It is with great regret that the VBL advises its member bands, registered players, and the public, of the death of VBL Vice-President Ron Jarrett, on Friday 20th February 1998.
Ron came from a banding family, well known in Portland, and spent a lifetime in banding. He was Secretary and a Life Member of the City of Dandenong Band for many years, playing baritone with them. He started banding at Portland, and also played with Caulfield (now the City of Glen Eira).
Ron worked with the PMG's Department, and later with Telecom Australia as a Principal Technical Officer in Batman and City West Exchanges, until he retired some years ago. He was President of the VBL for at least one five year term, and was awarded the honour of Life Membership of the League seven years ago. He was particularly au fait with the Contesting Rules of the League, and had worked recently to provide material for the re-printing of the current rules.
Ron will be greatly missed by all those who worked with him, and for his immense contribution to the VBL. We all extend our heartfelt sympathy to Dawn and her family at this sad time.
The funeral was held on Wednesday 25th February, and a large brass band from Dandenong, the "Huffers and Puffers" and friends played at the funeral parlour. They later played "Amazing Grace" and the Richmond Football Club theme song at the graveside in the Springvale Necropolis.
Born 17th February 1904 in Ballarat. Died 6th July 1998 at Ballarat Aged 94 years
On leaving school at Intermediate Certificate level Lew was apprenticed to the printing trade. On completing his apprenticeship he worked as a printer with the "Ballarat Courier" before finding a place at Horsham with the Wimmera Star print shop. During that time he became associated with the Horsham Pipe Band, the Swimming and Rowing Clubs and founded the Horsham Harriers Club.
Lew developed his own printing business in Ballarat where he installed the first "off set" machine in the town and, a trait which was evident throughout his life, he produced consistent work of better than average design and craftsmanship.
In 1920 at age 16 years, Lew was appointed Drum Major of Ballarat Highland Pipe Band, a position he held with distinction for fifty years. Over seventy-five years Lew attended almost every Pipe Band Contest in Victoria, and many interstate, either as a competitor, judge or as an onlooker.
Lew was a Drill Adjudicator for both the Highland Pipe Bands Association and the Victorian Bands' League for both State and National Championships. He has been involved in the production of Drill Instruction Books for both organisations.
Lew's association with Brass Bands began in 1945 when he became Drum Major of the City of Ballarat Band, a position he held for 25 years. He won at least seventeen first and several second prizes in the quickstep with Ballarat, Maryborough, Beaufort and Daylesford Brass Bands at South Street Competitions. Lew was Secretary of Ballarat Brass Band for eleven years; President, Secretary, Delegate to VBL and Life Member of Creswick Brass Band.
In the mid fifties Lew was invited to judge a marching girls' competition. This led to a twenty-nine year commitment to the movement. He was Chief Instructor, President, Judge and Delegate to the State Body (V.M.G.A.). He became Club Captain and President of the Ballarat Harriers, and was Captain of the Ballarat Rowing Club for several years where he became a member of the Victorian Crew to contest the King's Cup in W.A. in 1929.
Lew's military interest began at age 14 in 70th Cadet Battalion and the Cadet Drum and Bugle Band. After many years of service in the AMF and CMF, the 8th Battalion and as Brigade Staff Officer in Australia and New Guinea, Lew retired with the rank of Major in 1961 just prior to his 57th birthday.
In his retirement, Lew became a convert to domestic and industrial technology. He was noted for his cooking - especially the delicious scones and home-made jam which he regularly provided for Drill Advisory Board Meetings, and he continued to produce professional quality publications at home on his P.C.
Lew was named Ballarat's Citizen of the Year and State Chieftain of V.H.P.B.A. in 1997 and he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day, 1998. Lew was a Life Member of the Victorian Bands' League for twenty years.