Opinion & Perspectives
4 October, 2025
Bob blazes in brass
BOB Wooley may have moved around a lot - from Melbourne to England and back - but there’s one constant he’s always had. A brass brand to play in.
BOB Wooley may have moved around a lot - from Melbourne to England and back - but there’s one constant he’s always had.
A brass brand to play in.
In a music career that began in 1952 alongside his father, Bob was always drawn to a group of like-minded musicians.
“I was an active member of the Victoria Police Band as well as the 2/10 Medium Regiment Band, Royal Australian Artillery (Australian Army Reserve),” he said.
“When my wife and I made the move to St Arnaud in 1986, the first thing I looked for was a brass band to join.”
Bob had been a visitor to the town in the past and knew the lifestyle would suit him and the town had everything he needed.
“I knew I was about to be discharged from the Army Band and wouldn’t be able to take on any other paid work if I wanted to keep my pension,” he said.
“So volunteering was my only option to keep busy really, and band of course.”
Although the band was low in numbers when he joined, Bob knew it was a group he would grow to love.
He then became cemented in the band’s rich 150 year history when he was made the group’s band master in 1987.
“As the year drew to a close that year, it became clear our band master at the time was preparing to move on, so I applied,” he said.
“I was told at our band’s Christmas wind-up that I had been appointed.
“It was exciting news, but I was told my first official engagement in the job would be at the Australia Day flag raising on January 26 1988.”
Bob has remained in the top job since and has become the longest serving band master in the St Arnaud Citizen Band’s history.
But what keeps him involved?
“You find great companionship in groups like this,” Bob said.
“You go through a lot of ups and downs when you’re with a group for so long and I think most times that brings you closer together.”
Bob said this also meant he had seen a lot of change over the years at the helm.
“As the years progressed, advancing age has taken its inevitable toll, while younger band members have moved on to seek greener pastures in the cities,” he said.
“But it was around this time the band took a new direction, moving from the traditional brass band genre to take advantage of the modern music that was becoming more readily available.”
Bob said it was an honour to be a part of the band’s rich history.
“I have seen much sadness, joy, tears and laughter and I am extremely proud to be the leader of this wonderful group of musicians.”
Bob has also taken his volunteering in town very seriously by taking part in groups such as treasurer of the Uncle Bob’s club, a charity organisation raising funds for Good Friday Appeal.
He has also been an avid pool player in his time, promoting thelocal competition for many years.
“I offered to help out for a year and have been there ever since,” Bob said.
“That was in 1988 at the Wool Pack pub.” Bob also give a lot of his time to helping those who may not be able to cook or buy food for themselves through Meals on Wheels.
He was also an umpire for the North Central Football League for a number of years.
The St Arnaud Citizen Band will celebrate its 150 years on October 18 at the Town Hall. Donations are welcome.
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