1979 School Magazine

The plane trip down was noisy and fun, and we again made our presence felt as a group. We were met by our anxious and caring parents, and had no trouble convinc- ing them that we had a good iime. Thanks have to be said to Mrs. Hancock, Mr. and Mrs. Warden, Mr. Emery, Mrs. Lynch, Kathy Trent, our parents, our host families, and the TYO organization for giving us such a great weekend, and running everything smoolnty. The first tour by a BGGS music group will be remembered as a superb weekend and a highlight of our years at school.

EOT.JCERT BAhID TRIP TO TOWNSVILLE 26.28 OETOBER

Ask any member of the Concert Band what the trip to Townsville was like, and you are likely to receive either a glassy stare or a half-hour barrage of superlatives. lt was fantastic! From the very beginning to when we got back to Brisbane (and beyond that to the sessions of reminisc- ing held afterwards at school), we loved every minute of it. We left school on Friday 26th October a|12.30 p.m. and travelled to the airport together by bus. The plane trip up was very exciting Jor those who had not f lown before, but everyone enjoyed ihe experience of group travel. As we were still in uniform it was quite obvious that we were travelling as a school. Once in Townsville, we went through the rather awkward period of getting to know our hosts (although some girls had met the people they were staying with when the Townsville Youth Orchestra Con- cert Band came to Brisbane last year), and we dispersed to the various homes throughout Townsville. Friday night was free time, and activities ranged from sightseeing to going to plays or the Dracula movie to playing pool and making chocolate fudge. (Eating was to be one of the highlights of the weekend.) The staff ap- peared to have a good night in the hotel. The fun started with a vengeance on Saturday morning with our trip to Magnetic lsland. The sun was warmer and more brilliant than in Brisbane, and we liked the early touch of sum- mer. Fiona Sinnamon's hat flew out the bus window and was never seen again, and its exit was accompanied by healthy but unappreciated screams. Some girls took the slight risk of swimming (the risk is f rom stingers), others did impressions of budgerigars, and others hired bikes or tandems. A rather odd but vaguely familiar American Ex- change Student was frequently seen annoying Band members. On Saturday afternoon we had a rehearsal in the Townsville Arts Centre of the combined numbers for the Concert that night, and then went home for a well- needed rest. The Saturday night Concert was a success. Mr. Warden (who had several requests for his autograph)agreed that the Band had never played better. Highlights of the even- ing were Jenny Roberts' flugal horn solo and Desley Ashton's flute solo. The TYO and string orchestra also performed. Caroline Kennison was a lively compere, tak- ing minor difficulties such as the lack of a microphone in her stride. Saiurday night didn't end with the Concert - Annie Laver invited all the Band and their host families to her place for a swim and supper. The party atmosphere ended the day perfectly. Sunday morning was again free time, and half the Con- cert Band was found sightseeing on Castle Hill. As usual, cameras appeared around every corner, often when least wanted. Our second Concert of the weekend was a Prom on Sunday afternoon, with the TYO Concert Band. The audience again seemed to enjoy our playing, and this time the solos were by Robin Gordon-Brown, Alison Harris, and members of TYO. As this was the last time some of the Year 12 girls would play with the Band, we put everything we had into the last piece (our favourite, "Rocky"). Some girls got emotional at the thought of having to leave; others hid it well (?) During the lengthy wait at the airport, Sue Edis and Co. tried in vain to give Anna Joughin an older and more mature look, and the Band raided the Canteen/Gift Shop.

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