I became a member of the Lakes & Craters band family in 2022, progressing to take on the role of president in 2024. I have always been an avid musician, beginning when I picked up a recorder 42 years ago. I learnt to play the Hammond organ and guitar in primary school but eventually saw the light and picked up a trumpet in Year 7. Currently primarily on Tuba, I can play most brass instruments if required!

Living in Colac, I’m married to my wonderful partner Susie, and we have three boys, Nicholas, Liam and Patrick – but most recently, Ollie the dog. Despite my best efforts, none are musically inclined. When not playing music, I enjoy tinkering around home and usually have several not-quite finished projects lying around.

Having been born into a musical family, I commenced my music lessons on the piano at the age of six and then added trombone to my repertoire in my teenage years. Many many music exams, theory exams, music workshops, tears and broken fingernails later I’m still performing music and sharing my love of the stage with my musical husband and kids.

I have performed in dozens of musical productions, either in the orchestra pit sitting at the piano or out the front holding a baton, which has earned me two commendations from the Victorian Music Theatre Guild. Arguably my most treasured musical achievement was to be elected as Musical Director of the amazing Lakes and Craters Band, a post I have been very proud to hold for over a decade. The band has now become my second family and I adore watching my musos grow in confidence and skill. There is always room for more family members in this awesome band!!

I joined the Lakes & Craters Band in 2007 and have held the position of Librarian for a number of years. My skills to organise music come from my day job at the Camperdown Library.

I learned to play saxophone as an adult with the King Island Concert Band, when my youngest son learned to play. Having spent years taking children to band and sitting, waiting to take the home again, I thought I might as well join in. I currently play the alto sax in the band, but over the years, I’ve had a go at the tenor sax, baritone sax and the bass clarinet!

I started out in banding around 1961 as a foundation member of the Hamilton High School brass band, firstly on cornet then on euphonium. Since then, I have played in a range of brass bands, concert bands, ensembles and pit orchestras. I have been a musical director in brass bands, concert bands, theatre productions, pit orchestras and choirs, but enjoy sitting in a band and playing an instrument more than as a director of music.

My instrument of choice is a trumpet. Having completed music studies to an advanced level, I am now enjoying sharing that learning by tutoring in theory, musicianship and brass instruments, and have enjoying watching students progress through the grades and go on to greater things. Amongst all that, I even find time to pick up the trumpet, which I enjoy doing most of all!

My journey with Lakes & Craters Band began way back in 2016 (I was 11), when my dad and I moved to the area. Part of my agreeance to move towns was that my parents had to find a band for me to play with, and they did not disappoint! We were lucky enough to be welcomed into the gorgeous band family here and we’ve never left.

My favourite instrument is the flute, but I have been known to pick up a trombone and blast some ‘Bare Necessities’ with Phil, or join Roscoe and Chiara up the back on percussion on occasion! I also recently started up the training band, to keep our youngins up to date and give them a bit of extra help to get their heads around the music we’re playing (it’s hard!!).

I became a part of this band in 2001 – way back when it was still the Camperdown Fire Brigade Band – when my son, Casey Tucker, joined the band. Even though I have never played a musical instrument, I have always loved and appreciated great music. I volunteered myself to help make the band vests that were worn to the Australian National Band Championships in April 2002, which lead to becoming a “roadie” at playouts and being a carpool for younger members. This in turn lead to me becoming Property Officer for the band, then additionally Publicity Officer. Since my son has left the band, I have dropped back to just Publicity Officer, a position I absolutely love, as I enjoy promoting the dedicated group of musicians in the wider community. As a non-playing member of the band, I can’t always make it to rehearsals, but I’m always busy behind the scenes and pop in whenever I can!