THE RAAF Central Band has celebrated its golden jubilee. June 2 marked the 50th anniversary of the formation of the band.

As with all milestones, there is much to reflect on for the unit, which has a wonderful rapport with the Australian people.

The band was formed mainly from musicians who answered an advertisement in the United Kingdom. Laurie Hicks, then conductor of the Black Watch Band in the UK, was invited to be RAAF Central Band's first conductor and the Air Force's first Director of Music.

The first Australian to join the band was cornet player David Reynolds, who served from 1952 until 1974. Coincidentally, the band's newest recruit is a guitarist also named David Reynolds.

Five commanding officers have led the unit, whose high standards of musical professionalism, dress and bearing are the hallmarks of its existence. The 10 warrant officers who have served as RAAF Central Band's senior airman will attest to the extraordinary level of dedication and discipline the band's members have displayed. And the 252 musicians who have served in the Central Band each have their own memories and stories of the pride and passion they have in a unit that continues to be one of the Air Force's most important public relations tools.

Central Band's achievements include providing musical and ceremonial support for the presentation of the original Queen's Colour for the Air Force in 1952, performing at the World Expo in Canada in 1967 and participation in London's Royal Tournament in 1987 and 1995. In 1989 it received a Governor-General's Banner from Bill Hayden, the only band in the world to be honoured in such a way.

Central Band was an all-male unit until 1985, when Christina McCaig was accepted into the band. Today six females are among the 36 members. Corporal Roxanne Dew, recruited as the band's first full-time vocalist in 1996, is recognised as an integral member of the band.

The band's honour roll boasts some of the nation's most respected musicians, including the late Dr Peter Clinch, a world-renowned saxophone and clarinet teacher, and Bruce Smeaton, composer of the music for the films Roxanne and Picnic At Hanging Rock.

Some musicians have gone on to perform with Australia's leading symphony orchestras. Squadron Leader Laurie Hicks, OBE, Squadron Leader Ron Mitchell, MBE, and Warrant Officer Eric Hayward, OAM, all received their awards for services to the band.

It is estimated that the band has covered more than two million kilometres in the past 50 years in an array of vehicles that would be the envy of any transport museum, including a humble school bus, Caribou, Dakota, VIP Falcon, and the alpine region's chairlift and skidoo. On one occasion a Herc blew an engine over central Queensland, resulting in an emergency stop.
Today Central Band has five high-quality ensembles - Force 10, a high-energy dance band; the Air Force Jazz Ensemble, which has gained a fine reputation among jazz purists; Air Power Brass, an electrifying and versatile brass quintet; the Catalina Wind Quintet, an elegant ensemble adding class to any function; and the Air Force Clarinet Quartet, for when a touch of tradition and pageantry is appropriate.

By SGT Eden Stubbings