FOR more than eight decades, Pierce Grenfell has been a stalwart at Eaglehawk Citizens’ Brass Band.
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He just received his 80 year service badge, an achievement so rare the Victorian Bands League had to have the bar specially produced, Eaglehawk band secretary Louise Wellard said.
“Previously, the highest accolade produced was the 70 year award,” she said.
Mr Grenfell began his association with the brass band in the 1930s. His family moved into California Gully in 1935.
“As soon as we joined with the local lads they said ‘come along to the band’,” Mr Grenfell said.
Mr Grenfell plays the cornet, which he has done since the day he arrived.
“One thing about a cornet is that it’s easy to carry. We do a lot of marching in brass bands and if you’re of small stature you don’t want to carry a great big tuba, so the cornet was ideal for me,” he said.
Mr Grenfell said the band had changed over the years.
In earlier days members would play in the Eaglehawk town hall before community sessions or motion pictures, and in the rotunda that then sat in Canterbury Park.
There have been other changes too, with the band making great progress in welcoming women, Mr Grenfell said.
“There was a time when there was a meeting and one of the committee men moved a motion that no girls be admitted to play in the band,” he said.
“He had sons and he didn’t want girls mixed up with them.”
“In the 1980s quite a few young girls joined the band. I would think the balance is now about 50/50.”
Highlights of Mr Grenfell’s time with the band included centenary celebrations in the 1970s and helping build band rooms on Peg Leg Road.
The camaraderie as band members rolled up their sleeves and did a bit of work, and the satisfaction of completing the project, made it a treasured memory.
Today, Mr Grenfell still marches with the band, though he limits it to Eaglehawk Anzac Day celebrations.
“Marching in procession, you always feel proud about it,” Mr Grenfell said.
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