RAY Jago will play his cornet for the 50th consecutive year in Sale's 2000 Anzac ceremony. Since moving to Giffard in 1950, Mr J ago cannot recall a year not playing The Last Post.

Mr Jago began playing the cornet at eight years of age. Growing up in Melbourne, he played in the East Kew school band before leaving school and joining the East Kew Citizens' Band in the 1940s. It was in this band that he first played The Last Post.

Mr Jago clearly remembers the Melbourne Anzac marches he participated in as a teenager. "We started from Lonsdale St., walked up Swanston St. and St Kilda Rd. to the Shrine of Remembrance. "It was a long walk for a young feller, especially with such a large crowd to witness the event ," he said.

Moving to his Giffard farm in 1950, Mr Jago immediately joined the Sale City Band to continue his keen interest in brass instruments. He obtained a winning place in the Ballarat Australiasian Championships in the late 1950s.

From 1960-68, he changed to the Maffra band, becoming band master. He then returned to the Sale band, also as Band Master for a few years.

He also taught brass instruments at St Anne's and Gippsland Grammar and Sale Technical School in the 1970s. "He has successfully trained many people, and many children to play brass instruments," said his wife, Beverley.

Mr Jago has helped coordinate the brass section of the Sale Eisteddford for a number of years, including time on the committee and as president. Ray and Beverley, have sold their farm and are now living in Sale. They have two sons, each with two daughters .

Raymond Jago has blown his cornet in at least 70 ANZAC Day parades with Sale City Band.

RAYMOND Jago has been playing the same tune for over half a century. but said he will never tire of playing in Sale's ANZAC Day parade.

This year Raymond will play his 70th ANZAC Day parade with the Sale City Band. He is a life member at Sale and is currently its longest serving member.

Raymond plays the B-Flat cornet for the Last Post and Reveille at ANZAC Day services in Sale and Stratford. He also plays when diggers pass away.

"ANZAC Day is a big day, you want to put your best foot forward," Raymond said. "Practice makes perfect and after 70 years I think I have it down to a pretty fine art."

Raymond learnt to play the cornet as a boy at primary school in Kew East. "It's the only brass instrument I've ever played, .. he said. "There is a lot of skill involved."

Raymond went from the school band to the Kew Municipal Band before moving to Gippsland in 1950 when when his parents bought a sheep property at Giffard.

"I have very pleasant memories of my time in bands," he said. According to Raymond, a favourite memory was playing the then Victorian Football League (now AFL) grand final at the MCG in 1949. 'The roar when team entered the ground; I've never experienced anything like it," he said.

"We then went on to play at the grand finals in Adelaide and Western Australia, three grand finals in three states; it was amazing.

Despite playing the same instrument for over half a century. Raymond said he would never tire of playing the comet. "There is a lot of things to like about the comet it produces a magnificent sound." he said. "It can be overpowering if you blow the devil out of it, but it's a beautiful sound if you do it right."

To commemorate his decades of service to the Sale City Band and local ANZAC Day parades, Raymond has so far been awarded badges marking is 25th, 50th and 60th year with the band.

'This might be my last year this year at age 78," he said. "I love it and I'm just lucky to have been fortunate enough health-wise to be playing for this long."

The Band made a special visit to Life Member and esteemed bandsman Ray with a surprise appearance on his doorstep to play "Happy Birthday" on his 90th birthday (March 2021).

Ray had been in the band for over 50 years. During this time he had taken on the rolls of Bandmaster, President, Committee member and much respected educator.

Ray was an active member of the band for over 70 years. 

He was a principal cornet player, Life Member, former Bandmaster, Committee Member and more importantly a well respected mentor who had an invaluable influence on so many players.

A great musician, bandsman and an even better man who will be sadly missed by all those who had the privilege of playing with him.