Bands ready to entertain

GYMPIE'S Memorial Park is the place to be from noon this Sunday for free entertainment and a good time.

The Cooloola Community Orchestra is the first band in action. Expect a varied repertoire of well-known classics and movie themes

After pleasing the crowd, the band will be followed by local jazz band The Gold City Trio, comprising Ray Hardiker on alto saxophone, Jeff Kindregan on drums and Geof Walters on piano.

Mr Hardiker has a wide range of experience with big bands and small ensembles. Now retired from business life, he devotes his music mainly to community events and regularly plays at the nursing homes and senior citizens events.

Mr Kindregan hails from Brisbane originally, where he was mad on drums from a very early age.

He was taught to play drums by his grandfather in Brisbane where he worked with many top-level orchestras and famous artists who visited from time to time.

Mr Walters was trained as a classical pianist by the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Western New South Wales.

On leaving school, he moved to Canberra and joined the Commonwealth Public Service.

After 45 years in the Public Service, Mr Walters moved to Gympie where he immersed himself in the musical life of the community. Like his fellow band members, he now works as a musician mainly for community events.

“Support our local bands by putting the third Sunday of the month aside for and hour and half of entertainment,” Cooloola Community Arts Council spokeswoman Joolie Gibbs said.

“All you have to do is turn up at midday with your chair or blanket and lunch, and sit back and enjoy.

“If you are in a local band or know of local bands that may want to be involved in the Bands in the Rotunda program, contact me on 5481 0732.”

This weekend's musical event is an event made possible thanks to support from the Gympie Regional Council Heritage Committee.