The morning after their incredible sell out concert at Melbourne's vast Hamer Hall and a brilliant night out in the city centre, several players from Grimethorpe spent the morning in the city's gaol...

Ned Kelly

Thankfully, it wasn't anything to do with high jinks, but as a sight-seeing trip to one of the city's leading tourist attractions — in this case the old prison that once held and was the place of execution of famous bushranger outlaw Ned Kelly.

The players also took time out to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the set of the well known Australian soap opera, Neighbours.

Brilliant concert

Tour Manager Craig Roberts told 4BR: "If the audience had anything to do with it after such a brilliant concert, they would have kept the band locked up there for another day on the provision that they would have to do another performance before letting them free!"

That was certainly on the books after Grimethorpe wowed over 1500 fans in a concert that once again saw demands for extra encores before they were able to leave the stage.

Worldwide reputation

Dr Robert Childs told 4BR: "There have been so many highlights, but this was something else. It says a great deal about the worldwide reputation of Grimethorpe Colliery Band that we met people who had travelled from all over Australia to see us perform.

We were told we could have sold out the venue twice over, so my thanks go to the concert promoters Andrew Kaye Associates and all the brass band fans who have made us feel so welcome."

It says a great deal about the worldwide reputation of Grimethorpe Colliery Band that we met people who had travelled from all over Australia to see us performDr Robert Childs

Old friends

The band was also delighted to be able to meet up with former Grimethorpe bass trombonist Andy Snell, who played with the Brass in Concert champion for several years in the 1990s — including their historic 1992 National Championships win. Andy is now Managing Director of the Victorian Opera and conductor of the Kew Brass Band.

Following their Melbourne performance the band headed to Frankston for what was a rapturously received concert at the Frankston Arts Centre before heading to Tasmania.