Historic Annual Reports

The annual meeting of the above, held in the Mechanics Institute on Monday evening, was only moderately attended. The President (Mr Guest) presided, and in opening the meeting said that it appeared to him as if the subscribers were so well satisfied that they did not trouble to attend.

The Secretary read the following report and balance sheet, which showed a credit of £4 2s 9d, while £20 had been placed aside as a nucleus of a uniform fund.

REPORT

 I have the honour to report the receipts for the year ending 30th Sept., 1920, are as follows:

• Subscriptions £54 9s 6d;
• Benefit Pictures £22 8s 6d;
• Entertainments £40 19 6d;
• Engagements £13 18d;
• Hire of Lights, £1 18s;
• Donation and Collections, £3 12s.

Actual Receipts, £186 15 6d.

You will see from the Balance Sheet that we completed the year with a credit balance of £4 2s 6d, and in my opinion, same is very satisfactory, when it is taken into consideration, the very heavy expenditure experienced by the Band during the year. The expenditure would not have been so great, but, for the fact, that a Uniform account has been opened with the Savings Bank, and £20 has been placed to the credit of same, and in addition to this amount, the Committee have purchased three lamps and accessories at a cost of £18 3s 5d, so you will learn that the Band has enjoyed a sound financial year.

The Band was greatly in evidence during the year, having assembled on the following occasions:

• Picture Shows 54;
• Visiting Companies, 14;
• Agricultural Show 1;
• Football Matches 6;
• Out Door Performances 6;
• Sunday Afternoons 2;
• Practices 50;

making a total, including practices of 183 performances.

The retiring President and Office Bearers are to be commended on the amount of business satisfactorily completed during the recent twelve months, and I wish to thank one and all for the very valuable assistance given me in all matters connected with the business of the Institution. In moving the adoption of the balance sheet, the President said it disclosed a very satisfactory state of affairs, considering the heavy expenditure during the year for new lights, &c, and he desired to thank the general public for their consistent support of the Band, also Mr Green and the Minstrel Club, which had I rendered great assistance.

The motion was seconded by Mr Lancaster and carried.

 ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The President said the next business was to elect officers for the ensuing year. In vacating the chair, he desired to sincerely thank the committee for the great assistance rendered him during his term I of office, and was pleased to know that the Band had again come out on the right side of the ledger. They had been a happy family, and all worked well together. He also desired to thank the Band members. Whenever the committee had suggested or asked for any- L thing, the Bandmaster and members had always agreed to same. He again thanked all, and had much pleasure in nominating Mr Thomson as President for the ensuing year.

Mr Thomson declined the honour, as also did Mr Duffy, and Mr Guest being renominated, was declared duly elected. In returning thanks, Mr Guest said he would do the best he could in the interests of the Band, as it was the unanimous wish of those present he should continue to act as President.

Vice-Presidents: Messrs Thomson, T. Gilbert, Duffy and O'Mara.
Committee: Messrs Mac Christensen, Roy Marsh, T. Milligan, and J. B. Robinson. Playing members of Committee:  Messrs Lancaster, Long, Davidson and M. Crowe.

Secretary: Mr Ren de Medici.
Treasurer: Mr W. J. Worden.
Bandmaster: Mr L. Crowe.
Auditor: Mr L. Coupar.

The members of the Band will elect their own officers, and report to the committee.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

Mr O'Meara spoke at some length on the necessity that existed for something being done to ensure more revenue being forthcoming, as some of the instruments were badly in need of repair, and they could not expect good music with such instruments. Then there was the question of uniforms. He had been speaking to the Bandmaster of the Warragul Band, and discovered that the Council there treated their Band more liberally than Traralgon did. The public also responded very liberally. Had it not been for the splendid entertainment given by the Minstrel Club, they would not have been able to show a credit balance that evening.

 He moved--"That two of the old instruments be sent away, and a price obtained for getting them repaired,"
The motion was seconded by the President and carried.

A discussion took place on the question of the finances, and several suggestions were made. Eventually a motion was carried to the effect that the matter of social dances be left in the hands of Messrs Alf Crowe, G. Rust, L. M. Bell, jnr., and D. Johnson.

The question of a boat trip to the Lakes Entrance was also discussed, and on the motion of Messrs Christensen and Worden, it was left in the hands of the committee.

The Secretary submitted several prices for uniforms, and it was decided to obtain prices from the local firms.

A letter and circular were read from the Bairnsdale Citizens Band, suggesting the formation of a Band Association to embrace Sale, Maffra, Bairnsdale, Morwell and Traralgon. Mr Duffy thought the matter was one that required thorough investigation before anything was done, and suggested that a sub-committee be appointed to deal with same, and report to the next meeting of the committee.

The President concurred, and moved that a sub-committee he appointed, consisting of Messrs Duffy, O'Hara, Thomson and the Bandmaster, to deal with the matter. Seconded by Mr Christensen and carried.

It was decided that the monthly meetings be hold on the first Saturday in each month at 7 30 p.m. and the meeting closed.