FYCB & WB at Yarra Valley Chocolaterie
What a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
The combined band played a 45 minute set of entertainment items for a crowd of brass band fans and visitors (aka newly converted brass band fans.) We were spoiled with a chocolate tasting that showcased the huge range available. Thanks to Marc Nethercot from Northern Brass for the invitation to perform and to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery for having us.
Scraggers Support the 'scrAyFLW
The band performed for spectators of the Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne Demons as they filed in through the gates.Though the drizzle was threatening, Daughters of the 'Scray and a selection of pop tunes, including Valentines Day themed, were enjoyed by the footy fans. A wonderful team effort! 
Footscray RSL Centenary Anniversary
An ensemble of FYCB and WB members lead a march
from Footscray Memorial Gardens down Geelong Road to the Footscray RSL on Saturday morning, 18th of January. A ceremony was then held, with the band performing national anthems, and Brenton Burley playing the Last Post. 
FYCB relocated in 2020
The band has been relocated to Victoria University: Footscray Nicholson Campus, just 500 metres away from our 10a Hyde Street location. The VU campus is just west of the train line, still a short walk from Footscray Station.The Hyde Street location is perfect for the development of an early learning centre to be built adjacent to the school. More information about this project here.
The 26th Carols in the Gardens
A Cheerful Carols at Yarraville Gardens
We had a wonderful time hosting the 2019 Yarraville Carols in the Gardens. The evening was compèred by the multi-talented Chelsea Plumley; music lead by Louisa Trewartha with the combined forces of Footscray-Yarraville City Band, Western Brass, and the Hyde Street Youth Band; a joyful massed choir made up of local choirs; and special guests Nina Ferro, Andrew Broadbent, Naomi Cochrane, Belinda Sofra, John Connors, Byron Crump, and special mention to Felicity Baldock who didan amazing job filling in last minute for Margaret Haggart.With an enthusiastic and ever-increasing crowd before us, and due to much thoughtful planning by the FYCB committee (particularly Kathryn Cooper) the event was relaxed, enjoyable, and thus a huge success.Thanks to everyone who attended. See you next year!
FYCB and WB at the Zoo
A wonderful opportunity for Footscray-Yarraville City Band and Western Brass to join forces.
Hundreds of people flocked to the zoo on the first day of summer, 2019. We performed a selection of creature related songs, such as The Bare Necessities featuring Laszlo Szetey, and Jurassic Park; hits like Eternal Flame featuring Hannah Trewartha, Uptown Funk, and Lemon Tree; and some festive tunes including our favourite Jingle Bells, Batman Smells arranged and performed by the talented Byron Crump. Although storm clouds threatened throughout, we and our wonderful audience had a great time.Thank you to Maurice Mammoliti for hosting us. We hope to see you again in 2020! 
FYCB Europe - Day 1 - Versailles, France
My roommate is still sleeping so I'm sitting on the window sill watching the sunrise, writing a one fingered update on my phone.The flight was ok, first one 8 hours - no sleep, 3 movies. Then a 15 hour flight. Maybe 4 hours of dozing. Binge watch of 6 episodes of picnic at hanging rock. At Paris airport for 3 hours going through customs, sorting out lost bags and finding people who were meeting us there. (Only lost one bag (not mine) should turn up today).
The Fabulous Friends of FYCB
Where would we be without our helpers and supporters? Well, we would not be able to do half of what we have achieved during this Armistice Centenary year. Footscray-Yarraville City Band would like to thank all our helpers and supporters who do fundraising, promotion and community engagement, selling tickets and memorabilia, Front of House, Back Stage and technical support as well as providing sound advice to enable the band to achieve it’s goals. We're incredibly grateful to have such a talented and willing crew supporting the band in it's endeavours. Each and every helper is as much a part of the band as the those who sit in rehearsals and make the music.
Of special mention is Lorraine Wright and John Hoppe who have both thrown themselves into The Silent Anzac Project with an astonishing amount of dedication and perseverance. Lorraine and John have been working hard all year to promote our shows, develop contacts with potential project partners, fundraising, coordination of commemorations, poppies and wreaths, copious amounts of letter writing, research and just plain hard slog. Thank you, John and Lorraine.
100 Years Ago - The Final Months
The saddest times of the war were when families received notification that their loved ones had been killed. Letters were the only form of communication between soldiers and family and often the first inkling of a soldier’s death was when the family didn’t receive replies to the letters sent to him. This could cause months of worry before confirmation one way or another was received.
“It was with a very sad heart I read Ivy’s intimation of poor Leslie’s death. I had greatly feared something of the kind for about two months before. I had written several letters and had no reply and that was so unusual for him, but they were not returned and I still had a hope that whatever was wrong it would not turn out so serious as it has done.”(Extract of letter to Elizabeth Scouller from her cousin)
Sometimes the first intimation of a soldier’s death was a returned letter marked “Deceased” and “K”.