History of the Golden Kangaroos

(Hornsby Concert Band)

It's the best band in the landband in 1970

Founded in 1970 by its present Director of Music, Mr VICTOR GRIEVE with twelve young players, the Band has grown steadily with its current membership standing at approximately 120. The HORNSBY CONCERT BAND has been Australia's biggest and most successful having been…

2 x Second Place and 1 x Third Place in World Marching and Show Band Championships, Japan. 2002

3 times Silver Medalists and 2 times Bronze in the World Music Championships, Holland. 1989 & 1993

6 times NATIONAL SENIOR "A" Grade Champions 1972 - 1989

3 times NATIONAL JUNIOR "A" Grade Champions 1972 - 1989

6 times NSW STATE SENIOR "A" Grade Champions 1972 - 1989

5 times NSW STATE JUNIOR "A" Grade Champions 1972 -1989

The Marching Band isformed from players within the 3 Concert Bands, it is one of Australia's leading Marching and Show Bands. The Golden Kangaroos are in great demand, and have performed with distinction at: -

Info on Band

The Band prides itself on being a true Community Band with a family atmosphere offering a wide range of musical activities to its members, a feature of the Band is its friendly team work and spirit, with many parents playing alongside their children in either the Marching or one of the 3 concert bands. The main aims are to foster a love and appreciation of music, to develop a greater self discipline and joy of working well together. The Band not only develops individual talents of its members but also contributes to an improved social life both at home and in the community. I feel we are achieving these aims.

In 1989 and 1993 the Band was accepted as one of only 200 Bands from an entry list of over 600 to compete in the WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL (WMC) in Holland. In 1989 the GOLDEN KANGAROOS gained Silver and a Bronze medal in the show and marching competition. In 1993 the Band won 2 silver medals in the show and marching competition and a bronze medal in the concert competition. During the 1993, 1997, 2000, & 2003 tours the band performed at the Australian War Memorials in Villers Bretonneux (&1989) and Bullecourt, France.

In 1989 the Band set a WORLD RECORD for distance marching of 64.5km a total of 16 hours non-stop marching and playing. The World Record of 68km was passed a few years later by an American Band and recently a Norweigan Band.

Recordings

The HORNSBY CONCERT BAND has produced 5 commercial LP recordings, 1 cassette, 5 videos and 1 CD: -

"Christmas with the Hornsby Concert Band"

"March Along with the Hornsby Concert Band"

"Instant Concert"

"Concert Band Classics"

"Music for Ceremonial"

"Salute to ANZAC" (75th Anniversary of Gallipoli Landings)

"Japan 1989" -video

"World Tour 1989" -video

"Kangaroos on Parade" -promotional video

"European Tour 1993" -video

"The Golden Kangaroos, Hornsby Concert Band's 25th Anniversary Concert" -video

"European Tour 1997" -video

"Millennium Collection" 1999-2000 - CD

"The Golden Kangaroos, Hornsby Concert Band's 30th Anniversary Concert with the Australian Army Band Sydney" -video

"Japan 2002" - Video (currently being edited)

"Europe 2003" - Video (currently being edited)

Many former Band members now have positions in ABC Symphony Orchestras, as Music Teachers and Bandmasters, the children of former members are now beginning to appear in the Training Band, and so the cycle continues. The spirit of the Golden Kangaroos' is quite unique, we not only maintain our membership (while many other community groups suffer from failing numbers) we retain our high standard of performance and continuity of effort.

The Premier of N.S.W. honored the Band with a Community Award, "IN RECOGNITION FOR THEIR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR EXCELLENT EXAMPLE TO YOUNG AUSTRALIANS".

The Hornsby Shire President described the Band as "THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF HORNSBY SHIRE".

Baulkham Hills Shire Council presented the band with an award for community service and representing Australia locally and internationally.

The Band in France, 1993

European Tour, 1997

In June/July 1997 the Golden Kangaroos undertook a European Tour. The Band was honoured to perform 2 times at the Royal Tournament in London (the Biggest Military Tattoo in the World).

In Italy the Band played times in the small town of Besana for an international festival where large crowds come from all over Italy to see the festival.

In Paris the Band played at Euro Disneyland, and a special ceremony at the Australian War Memorials in the village of Villers Bretonneux and Bullecourt. The Golden Kangaroos played at the Arc de Triomphe for a re-lighting of the flame ceremony in the presence of our Minister for Veterans Affairs and French delegates.

Royal Easter Show Band

The SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW BAND was founded in 1995 and is the official band of the Sydney Royal Easter Show. The Band has performaned with distinction at;

Sydney Royal Easter Show 1995, 1996,& 1997

Sydney ANZAC Day Parade 1995, & 1996

International Youth Band Festival, Canberra 1995, & 1996

Back to Main Page