A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy

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The results from this Sea Deployment initiative have been significant and integral to the
band’s image within the wider naval community; they have also brought much overseas
travel opportunity for our musicians. We will continue to manage this initiative on our
terms by choosing the right deployments and where possible, only sending people who seek
this opportunity.
The deployment of an element of the band to the Middle East as part of the Tour de Force
Middle East Area of Operations during Christmas 2003 and the New Year demonstrated to
our deployed forces the calibre of Navy’s musicians along with the band's impressive
musical capability.
More recently, the band’s detachments extended Navy's reach in the week prior to Anzac
Day with performances in Kalgoorlie and Alice Springs, and on Anzac Day detachments of
the band performed in most major capital cities across the nation achieving wide media
coverage. The reserve component of the band plays an important role in extending the
band’s reach. These small ensembles of part-time musicians continue to find improvement
in the quality of their output and remain a very effective contributor to the band’s national
image and its outcomes.
The performances to record crowds at the Dawn Services in Melbourne and Sydney were
noteworthy; as was the contribution by one of our buglers at the Anzac Day Dawn Service in
Tennant Creek. Furthermore, the performances at Anzac Day services in Hobart by former
members of the band help to keep Navy's image alive in the wider community. This
unofficial 8th detachment (past members of the RAN Band) has an important role in
supporting the current generation of musicians and represents the significant contribution
members of the band have given their nation over many years. I was pleased to recently be
invited to become one of the Patron’s of the RAN Band Association. I have accepted that
invitation and hope that my involvement with the association with help to re-establish our
ties with our past members.
However, most notable and reflecting the significant role that the band has in promoting
Navy's image across the nation and on the international stage were:
• radio interviews from Gallipoli with some of our musicians;
• performances by our musicians at the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove and at
the memorial service at Lone Pine; and
• the contribution by one of our buglers at the Dawn Service in Baghdad in
the presence of the Prime Minister, Senior Representatives from our
Coalition Partners and members of our deployed forces.
The RAN Band plays an invaluable role in keeping Navy in the public consciousness. It
maintains one of Navy's most consistent and significant public engagement profiles, and
continues to support Fleet activities through ship borne deployments of small elements of
musicians.
This edition of RAN Band News contains many personal accounts from members and their
experiences on Anzac Day as well as articles which so how busy we have been and all the
fantastic places that we have taken Navy’s image.
Well done on your achievements.
Before I sign off I would like to acknowledge the very strong contribution given the RAN
Band by Lieutenant Steven Cottier who departs the Royal Australian Navy in the coming
months to commence a new path in his career. Steven has been a loyal and hard-working
member of the RAN Band since he enlisted on 17 September 1978. He is currently the
Senior Instructor at the Defence Force School of Music and has enjoyed postings as a
musician in all of our permanent detachments as well as leadership experience as the
Bandmaster of the South Australian detachment and Music Director of the Melbourne
detachment. A more dedicated member of our team would be hard to find. On behalf of
the RAN Band I wish him, Karen and family every success on their next journey together and
thank them for the friendship that they have shared with us.
Royal Australian Navy Band: A Musical Voyage