Gnowangerup History

By 1 December 1926 it was able to hold its first concert with such selections as 'Melodie D'Amour' and 'Straight Forward'. Part of the evening was devoted to a competition for the young, adjudicated by A. J. Bell, J. E. Rowe and R. W. Wellstead.
Those gaining places were Masters O'Mara, Venning, Dorizza and Angus. Such events were frequently arranged by conductor Bell during his seven years' association with the band as he wisely saw that unless he attracted the young, the band's future was limited. (With his departure from the district his prediction was proved to be true.) 
While Bell was conductor certain regulations were enforced which instilled a high standard. It was forbidden to drink alcohol or smoke during playing time. Regular practice every Tuesday night was firmly, but kindly, demanded. The town co-operated and rarely was a function organized to clash with practice night.
From the beginning the Gnowangerup inhabitants took the band to their hearts. Engagements came from all quarters -sports meetings, Anzac services, fetes, concerts, shows and even large balls would open with the musical parade around the hall by the boys of the band. 
When the first annual general meeting was held in February 1927 those present were J. E. Rowe, H. o. Timms, R. W. Wellstead, C. Cockram, N. P. Davis, J. Garnett, G. F. Dobson, R. Burridge, W. F. Mills, R. D. Howard, W. W. Murray, A. E. Aylmore, S. G. Stone, J. L. Ball, Alfred Johnston, W. Wallace, Albert Pratt, Wallace Stewart, P. B. Bailey, G. A. Parry, R. Farley, J. Milner, W. Brade and A. J. Bell; this gives some idea of the widespread support given to the band.
At this meeting it was suggested that uniforms should be purchased. Despite many difficulties these were eventually supplied, as own. By November 1929 the band, through the support of the road board had a full set of instruments for those unable to purchase their own. 

GNOWANGERUP BRASS BAND 1928 #2

GNOWANGERUP BRASS BAND 1928             #3
Back Row L - R:    GUSS BROWN, JACK MILNER, HAROLD VENNING
Middle Row L - R:     CLARIE BELL, BERT VENNING, FRANK WILLIAMS, LES BEECK, JOE ROBERTSON, CHARLIE SOMERVILLE, GORDON WILLIAMS, GEORGE ROBERTSON
Front Row L - R:     HERB AYLMORE, BILL MARKS, ROD WELLSTEAD, ARTHUR BELL Bandmaster, BOB McPHERSON, OSCER HETTNER, LYAL WELLSTEAD
Extreme Left: SAM FOSTER Drum Major

The band had obtained its own practice hall and at its opening a band of twenty strong turned out in full regalia. On this occasion the band's home, which was shared with the boy scouts, was grandly termed in the local press as 'the house of Orpheus'. The optimism and affluence which was evident in the Gnowangerup district during the mid-1920s was captured in prose by the same local paper, the Gnowangerup Star, at the end of 1926.
"On Xmas Eve it made one feel young to see the hundreds of happy faces. Farmers shut out of their minds the count of bushels of wheat and the prices they were likely to receive, while the happy wives could be heard saying how they were going to cook the goose, how many they were going to have to dinner. The men folk were having ‘another one'. The trades people were happy as they handled crisp notes and jingling silver to the tune of the Band....

GNOWANGERUP BRASS BAND 1930 #4
Mr. JOE BALL, Mr. N.P. DAVIS, Mr. DOBSON, Leader Mr. S. FOSTER

. . Quite a number in the streets came a few years ago as boys with only a few shillings in their pockets but they had the heart of a bullock and had made good; had turned a forest into golden wheatfields and they could be seen sitting in up-to-date motor cars with young wives and innumerable children. 
Others again had led the merry life in their own way and were just as contented. - And our Band. 
What a pleasure it was to the scores of people who stood around drinking in the soft, dreamy music of Christmas carols. A contrast to the squeaky, vile noise of toy trumpets blown by hundreds of happy children”.