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    SWAN SONG: Natimuk Brass Band has disbanded after 124 years, citing declining member numbers and increasing members’ ages. It is the end of an era for band members, from left, Brian Lewis, 87, Charlie McCuish, 88, and Bob White, 88.
  • Hero image
    From lefrt, Bob White, 88, president, Charlie McCuish, 88, Brian Lewis, 87, treasurer, Natimuk Brass Band has folded after 124 years due to lack of musicians in the band .The Band has allocated its funds to 7 Natimuk community groups.From lefrt, Bob White, 88, president, Charlie McCuish, 88, Brian Lewis, 87, treasurer, Natimuk Brass Band has folded after 124 years due to lack of musicians in the band .The Band has allocated its funds to 7 Natimuk community groups.
  • Hero image
    From lefrt, Bob White, 88, president, Brian Lewis, 87, treasurer, Charlie McCuish, 88, Natimuk Brass Band has folded after 124 years due to lack of musicians in the band .The Band has allocated its funds to 7 Natimuk community groups.
  • Hero image
    From lefrt, Bob White, 88, president, Brian Lewis, 87, treasurer, Charlie McCuish, 88, Natimuk Brass Band has folded after 124 years due to lack of musicians in the band .The Band has allocated its funds to 7 Natimuk community groups.
  • Hero image
    From lefrt, Brian Lewis, 87, treasurer, Charlie McCuish, 88, Bob White, 88, president. Natimuk Brass Band has folded after 124 years due to lack of musicians in the band .The Band has allocated its funds to 7 Natimuk community groups.
  • Hero image
    From lefrt, Brian Lewis, 87, treasurer, Charlie McCuish, 88, Bob White, 88, president. Natimuk Brass Band has folded after 124 years due to lack of musicians in the band .The Band has allocated its funds to 7 Natimuk community groups.

Natimuk Brass Band disbands after 124 years

05 August 2026

Natimuk Brass Band has disbanded after 124 years and has chosen to distribute its money to several of the town’s clubs and groups.

Declining member numbers and increasing members’ ages contributed to the decision to cease, band president and tuba player Bob White said.

“It’s very sad – time has caught up with us all,” he said.



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“We have five or six members left. Travelling is a problem now, there’s too much traffic on the highway for people of our age to be travelling at 10.30 at night.” 

A Natimuk band member since 1987, Mr White started playing music at the age of 10 and for the past 35 years has been the band’s master. He is also a life member of Horsham Rural City Band.

Secretary Brian Lewis, who has also played in bands for 72 years, started in Beaufort when he was 15.

“We’ve had great times here,” Mr Lewis said.

“We’ve got a great community behind us – it’s sad to go.”

Life member Charlie McCuish has also ‘been around for a while’. Natimuk born and bred, he joined the band in 1952 at the age of 15. 

The band’s instruments and hall have been sold; the hall was originally the fire station – the band paid £175 for it in 1956.

The sign describing the hall’s history will be handed to the Arapiles Historical Society. 

The band distributed its money at a function on Thursday to: Natimuk Age Care Friends and Relatives, $10,000; Natimuk Agricultural and Pastoral Society $4000; Natimuk Bowling Club $6000; Natimuk Fire Brigade $6000; Arapiles Historical Society $6000; Natimuk RSL $6000; and Natimuk Lions Club $6000.

The entire July 29, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!