Old Buggers in Banding

James Baldwin

James Baldwin, a member of Traralgon City Band in Victoria, is yet another banding icon who has shaped the foundations of banding Downunder.

Jim started playing brass at the age of 11, and will celebrate his 75th Birthday next year: he has been playing for 64 years, and in July 2006 Jim and his wife Faye will celebrate 45 years of service with Traralgon City Band.

Jim's banding history is certainly colourful and he has a vast collection of photos (and quite a few are included here) that are fascinating to see. The amazing thing about these photos is that they not only have dates and locations noted, but most of them have the names of all the bandsmen listed too.

James Baldwin was born on the the banks of the Murray River (and his Birth Certificate states this!) in Mildura (Vic) on the 15th of March, 1931.

He started playing brass at the age of 11 with the Salvation Army in South Melbourne.

Salvation Army, 1942, South Melbourne - Jim in center with Tuba

After five years of living with the Salvation Army, Jim returned home to Mildura in 1946 and joined the Mildura Citizens Band. In 1947 he played in his first contest in Tanunda, South Australia.

Mildura Citizen's Band, 1947, Nuriootpa Hotel, taken just before winning Australian C Grade Championships

Mildura Citizens Band, Ouyen, 1948, "King's Birthday", Jim - 3rd from left

At the age of 17, Jim went to work at the Woomera Rocket Range and managed to keep up his playing by ocassionally helping out local bands. He returned to Mildura in 1950, and at the age of 19 joined to Australian Army to serve in Korea. Jim served for seven years in the Australian Army in Korea, Malaya and Borneo. For the last two years of his service, he transferred to an Army Band and was a bandsman up until he was discharged in 1958.

2BN Royal Australian Regiment Band, Malaya, 1955-57, photo taken by Corporal James Baldwin

 
2nd Battalion Band, rehearsing in rubber trees, IPOH Malaysia 1955, front left - Jim

2RAR Dance Band, Penang 1956, Jim on piano

After Jim left the Army, he shifted to the Latrobe Valley, Victoria, and worked in the bush for a couple of years. In 1960 when driving through the town of Traralgon, Jim passed the bandroom and heard the band rehearsing, and of course joined them!

Jim and son Russell, outside the old bandroom, 1975

Jim is still an active member of the Traralgon City Band. He has played every instrument but Bass Trombone, conducted the band for two years and has taught countless juniors over the years. He has a dry and wicked sense of humour, is absolutely passionate about banding, oh - and he hates a drink! He's a loyal bandsman and tireless worker - along with his wife Faye who has been an active supporter and committee member for all these years too.

Jim & Faye Baldwin, 1995

He has so many fantastic stories to tell - many of them absolutely hilarious, but he wouldn't let me publish any of them! As we sat and looked through his photo album, he related many tales of his life and experiences, but every time he'd finish he's say "but you can't write that!". So it's left to your imagination to fill in the gaps of this brief life-story (and you don't need much really when you look at the faces in some of the photos).

Jim Baldwin, 1980 - typical Aussie!

Jim currently has a training band of 14 players and is actively recruiting and teaching new members.

James Baldwin has given so many years of dedication to banding and his character has not only helped to shape the Traralgon City Band, but it's blokes like Jim who have moulded banding Downunder for the generations to come.

Veronica Bowman