Cliff Goodchild, aged 81, passed away peacefully at home on Monday night.

Cliff was a life member and past president of the Band Association of New South Wales, tuba player and long time member of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

As well, Cliff was the founder and conductor of Waverley Bondi Beach Band and brass teacher of thousands of students over the years.

Particularly sad is the fact that the 47th Annual School Bands Festival being held this coming weekend was an event which Cliff himself started and has been central to for each of its 47 years.

When speaking to a colleague about the administration of the Festival that very afternoon, Cliff was true to form, urging him to "keep at the buggers to get their scores in on time".

The family and the Festival will be setting up a trust fund for the continuation of Cliff's life work. It is requested that donations be forwarded in lieu of flowers.

Funeral arrangements: 11.00am, Monday 28th, Mary Immaculate church, Waverley.

The banding movement of Australia has lost a true inspirational leader in many facets of music in this country, particularly in the brass arena.

Our thoughts go out to Monica (Monnie) and their son Paul.

May Cliff rest in peace.