The New Zealand Veterans Band will make a welcome return to the region this month, boosting the Tewantin Anzac Day Parade and Service before performing a free public concert opposite the Tewantin Cenotaph.
The brass band which comprises 23 former professional musicians from the New Zealand Army regular and territorial forces will also perform concerts at Cooroy RSL on 27 April, Tewantin RSL on 28 April and Eumundi Markets on 29 April.
Band spokesman Tim McDavitt said the New Zealand Veterans Band was formed in response to an official invitation from the Royal Passchendaele Society to support their 2012 Anzac Day services.
Based at Leper (Belgium) the band performed at the dawn service at Polygon Wood, morning service at Messines and the official parade and service at the Menin Gate.
In addition to these Anzac Day commitments, the band also performed public concerts at Le Quesnoy (Northern France) and the famous Zonnebeke Church.
“It was so successful when we got back the guys said why not do it every year,“ Mr McDavitt said.
Since then the band has undertaken highly successful tours of the Queensland Sunshine Coast and hinterland in 2013 and 2015, Coromandel Peninsula in 2016 and Central Otago in 2019 and 2021. The band also returned to Belgium in 2017 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele.
Mr McDavitt said after their initial performance at Tewantin in 2013 the community were so supportive they aimed to return every second year but Covid had put a stop to their plans.
Although most of the band numbers no longer play professionally, they are all still actively involved in music and brass banding, and between them boast over 1,500 years plying their craft, Mr McDavitt said. They have an average 21 years’ service, with many having served on an operational basis during their military careers. Between them, members have won numerous national solo and ensemble events, as well as featuring in many national bands and orchestras over a 50 year period.
Members pay their own expenses for all flights and accommodation, and even fund their own transport costs to get to and from the various concerts and engagements.
“It’s a great opportunity to get away,“ Mr McDavitt said.
“We love it.“
