Sarah Oliver and Molly Magennis
Two members of the Western Region Concert Band have been recognised in the Australia Day honours.
Edward Perati and Andrew Houston have been awarded a medal of the Order of Australia for their service to the community through music.
The band has called St Albans home for more than 20 years.
Mr Perati, who is president of the band, has been a member of the band since 1978 and was made a life member since 2004.
He is also involved in SingWest, and sits on the choir’s sub-committee.
The talented clarinet player said he was chuffed to be awarded the honour.
“I came in as a member of the band and then as happens when you become embroiled in a thing that you really believe in … you end up becoming a membership officer and president and then all of a sudden you’re part of the whole establishment and its purposes and goals,” he said.
“There are many, many volunteer organisations in our country which are all really important. Ours is life saving in the sense that it gives other people a purpose within music, because otherwise, and that’s the reason our band was formed in 1977.”
As for why Mr Perati is so passionate about music, he said the simple answer: It’s just a part of who he is.
His deep passion for the subject and longing to know more even led him to doing a music degree.
Mr Houston is the band’s manager director and is also part of SongWest. He said he’s unsure who nominated him, but has his suspicions.
He said being recognised was a bit of a shock.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” he said.
“I’ve always been more about a team and working together. It’s nice to be recognised for what I’ve done but I think the groups that are there that enabled me to do that.”
Mr Houston said he was very passionate about bringing music to the community. He joined the concert band in 1991.
“It has been a lot of work over many years. My focus has always been on trying to get music into the community and encourage people to…continue their passion and their hobby.
“We’ve been able to create some great events where we’ve performed with Leo Sayer and James Morrison…and Christine Anu a few times.”
