A couple of weeks prior to our going to Canberra for Christmas, I was asked by our local North Burnett Regional Councillor to look at providing some music for the local 2026 Australia Day celebrations to be held in the Showgrounds on the associated day. In the past Australia Day celebrations were held on a regional basis, with the function being shared around the four or five local communities. This year it was decided to have localised functions, probably to save money.
It was originally suggested that the music could be provided by the Ukulele group but it turned out that most of the members would be out of town so it was decided that I would do the job. Music was required from 8.30 to 9.30 while a breakfast was supplied. I was also asked to find someone to sing the National Anthem.
We went over to the showgrounds at 7.30 certainly aware that a rodeo was held the day and evening prior and that little organisation for the days activities had taken place. When we arrived I was told that I should set up in the corner because there was a power point there. That wasn’t going to happen because the temperature was already mid thirties and that corner was in the sun.
So we hunted around for the caretaker to get a key to give us access to the kitchen area and the associated power points. I was set up in plenty of time for the 8.30 start but there were no chairs. Since the food was being served in a kitchen area away from the bar area where the function would take place, any patrons who were there assembled in the shade on seats near the food. So i did most of my gig with no one in the area where the audience should have been.
I had put together a set list of all of the Australian songs I had available and all together I was able to stretch them out to close to the hour. By the time it was time to start the program, there were still no chairs set out. They had to be brought out from the hall and that was done by the assembled patrons so the function could start.
The PA was another worry. I had be assured by the organisers that it was all under control. The guy who was looking after that used to be a DJ so he was sure to know all about it. I phoned him a couple of days prior to the function and it was clear that he didn’t know all about it. So I thought it best to take my own equipment over. It was just as well I did because his was not at all suitable for what I needed.
To satisfy the National Anthem request, I asked Ella Smith to do it. She agreed so I setup up a backing track and she came over and rehearsed once and did a very good job on the day.
