OUR UNION HISTORY: BRASS BANDS

TONY MOWBRAY #1154 WELLINGTON BRANCH PRESIDENT

Brass Bands were an important part of popular culture in the early 20th century with strong working class involvement.

The Wellington Waterside Workers’ Union Brass Band, set up in 1912, was funded by a levy on union members.

The band provided musical accompaniment for protest marches and to entertain at mass meetings. Sympathetic bands around the country provided similar support to striking workers.

In Wellington, the Highland Pipe Band joined the Watersiders’ Band in leading a number of marches.

The Watersiders’ Band also regularly performed at the Labour Day Picnic held at Days Bay.

In 1913 Labour Day was held during the strike and Labour Day events were as popular as ever, with the Watersiders’ entertaining more than 2500 people.

Thankfully this important tradition is still alive with The Brass Razoo Solidarity Band continuing to provide entertainment, whether at Labour Day celebrations or at Union events, thanks to the efforts of the Postal Workers Union.

This band needs to be commended as they are, if not, one of the last Bands with a Union affiliation in Australasia.

They are well received at the Wellington Branch picnics and it is worth noting that any Koha they receive for their services is quickly donated to others in need, a kind and solid tradition of Trade Unionism.

A big thankyou to the Brass Razoos from the Wellington Branch.