Establishment of Westgate Youth Band
On Thursday the 2nd of August 1979, Roy Hamilton attended the committee meeting of the Western Region Technical Schools’ Band to discuss the setting up of a second Regional Band.
The meeting proved successful, and Roy quickly moved to seek financial assistance from the Board of Inspectors of Secondary Schools to help the establishment a new youth band.
“The idea of forming such a group came about by a chance conversation Roy Hamilton and I had with a view to forming an all-student concert band from secondary schools in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne.”
Less than two months later, on Grand Final Day, eight students came together to play the first notes of Westgate Youth Band. By the end of February 1980, the band had grown to 45 members and had already undertaken two public performances. There seemed an insatiable appetite among students in the Western suburbs for musical opportunities. By 1984, membership had swelled to over 70 members and through the dedication and hard work of the band members and the Parent’s Committee, the youth band continued to flourish.
While the early establishment of Westgate Youth Band was supported by the Western Region Technical Schools’ Band (who had become Western Region Concert Band by 1980), they existed as separate entities.
In fact, there was even a suggestion “that eventually a ‘super’ committee drawn from each of the ensembles’ own committees might be formed to monitor the continuing development of youth music in the Region.”
“…there was never any intention that Westgate was formed as a training band for Western Region.”
The Westgate Youth Band took its name from the “mighty Westgate Bridge.” With permission, the youth band adapted the 'bridge and waves' logo of the West Gate Bridge Authority, who supported the young “bridge band”, as their identifiable emblem.
“W.G.B.A is proud to sponsor the Band, and in this capacity has supported the numerous occasions at which the Band has presented itself; prominent among these presentations have been a concert at the National Gallery, a little inspiration at the last “Life Be In It” Walk, and entertainment at selected western shopping centres.”
“The Staff Band members and Parent’s Committee are deeply indebted to the West Gate Bridge Authority from whom the Band adopted it’s name. The Authority has presented the Band with embroidered pockets for their shirts and also an identification board. A close contact is maintained between the Authority and the Band by means of their public relations staff who are always ready to assist and support wherever and whenever possible.”
As members began to remain with the band beyond their schooling years, it became apparent that the title of ‘Youth Band’ would soon be ill-fitting, yet it was not until around 1985 that the band was reconstituted as ‘Westgate Concert Band’. Our logo evolved with the name change, and took on the more mature Westgate Blue that we currently know.
The trademark for the original bridge and waters drawing of the Authority is today held by The Herald and Weekly Times Pty. Ltd.. In 2019, Westgate Concert Band successfully trademarked our current logo (‘Bridge and Waves in Annulus’ with the words ‘Westgate Concert Band’).
Today we welcome musicians of all ages to join us and actively engage with secondary schools in the region to promote the continued musical journeys of students.