Our History

Established in February 1926 by Mr. John Meagher, a very fine clarinet player, who’s idea it was, while working as Assistant Secretary to the then Premier, Mr. John Allan, in the Victorian Government, for the purposes of performing at Government functions.

John Meagher was our first Secretary and held the position for 34 years, until 1960.

What began as the Victorian Public Service’s Military Band, later expanded into a full symphony orchestra.

Mr. Arthur Calwell, who later became a Federal Minister and Leader of the Opposition, was the first President.

In times when jobs were hard to come by, Mr. Jack Meagher arranged with the Premier that the members of the Naval Reserve Band could secure Public Service Positions. One of their duties was to play in the Public Service Band. The Band received a grant of eighty pounds sterling to buy uniforms.

During the depression years the Band was concerned about it's future but the then Premier, Sir William Macpherson, a wealthy man and a great philanthropist, donated five hundred pounds sterling out of his own pocket. This donation enabled the Band to survive this period.

From 1932 to 1935, Sir Stanley Argyle was Premier and, being a medical man, was busy building base hospitals throughout the State. The Band played at all opening, and fairs and functions and raised for charity during these years approximately one hundred and twenty thousand pounds sterling.

Mr. Tom Landy, the last player of the original band, died on 22" July 1991, aged 82 years. Tom joined the Band to play the trombone when it was formed in 1926. He was 17 years old. Tom continued to play with the Orchestra until 1972, and was Vice President for over 20 years. He received a BEM for services to music in 1972; he remained an active member of the Orchestra until his death. Mr. Landy's son Peter was also a member of the Orchestra, as was his father, Thomas Landy.

The Band remained purely a Public Service organization until the early sixties; it included warders from Pentridge, health inspectors' etc., a broad cross section of the Public Service. Mr. Wally Underwood was the first conductor of the Band, which included some wonderful players; the most famous of whom was Mr. Bert Thomas, a trombone player from Maryborough. Mr. Thomas later became the conductor of the Band, a position he held for 20 years. 

In 1968, women joined the Band, and under the direction of conductor, Dr. Henry Schilberger, MBE, Press Secretary to Sir Henry Bolte, the Band began the conversion to a full orchestra by introducing a string section. In 1970 Mr. Clarrie Findlay took over as conductor and turned the Band into a fully-fledged orchestra. Mr. Harold Badger conducted the Orchestra from 1975 to 1989. Mr. Martin Rutherford, conductor from 1989 to 1993, also has held the position of Director of Music at Melbourne Grammar School since 1982, having held a similar position at George Heriot's School, Edinburgh, for the previous 15 years. Mr. Richard Green conducted the Orchestra from 1993 to 1999.

Mr. Douglas Heywood O.A.M. conducted the Orchestra during 2000. Mr. Heywood is founder and Musical Director of the Camerata Orchestra and Choral Director of VT 9's Carols by Candlelight.

The renowned German conductor, Erich Fackert conducted from 2001 onwards. Erich settled in Melbourne after moving from Europe and U.S.A. where his work was widely acclaimed.

In 1932, guest artists were introduced. The first was an Irish tenor named James Foran.

The Orchestra has had a succession of artists including many well-known singers such as Eunice McGowan, Andrea Van Den Driessen, Norman Yemm, Margaret Nisbett, MBE, Christine Ferraro, John Lidgerwood. Janet Healy, Jane O'Toole, Ian Cousins and Kun Xie, were all internationally renowned singers.

Past Presidents of the Orchestra include Mr. Arthur Calwell, Mr. Bert Osborne, (Sergeant-at-Arms from Parliament House), Mr. Jack Colqhoun, (Deputy Secretary to the Premiers Department), and Dr. Allan Griffin, (Deputy Secretary to the Premiers Department). Mr. Ron James, who took over from Dr. Griffin in 1983. Mr. James has guided the Orchestra through the most difficult time in its history.

Not only has he raised the funds for our survival he has also given us, for the first time in our existence, a permanent home through his contact and friendship with The Hon. Rob Maclellan, Minister for Planning. Mr. James became a Member of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2000. The honour was for service to the People of Victoria through the Orchestra.

The Orchestra performs each year in various venues around the State. Performances are concentrated in country areas that do not have access to the variety of musical entertainment available in the metropolitan area.