Plans for a children's Halloween event at Carisbrook -

in July!

Why? The ghosts won't wait until October

WORDS: DR KAY LEIPER

We are hoping that next July we will summon up some spooky fun for children between 5 and 11 years with an outside tour of 'Halloween' Carisbrook that will allow them to peak through the windows to see (age appropriate) ghostly tableaux. With treats and a volunteer teen DJ playing monster music, it should be a fun experience for both visitors and ghouls.

Here's a little background on the real urban myths around a haunted Carisbrook:

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A few months ago at a meeting with Council and heritage architects, we were discussing the architectural history of Carisbrook. Amongst the documentation was a fifty-odd-year-old letter from a Council employee reporting on the details of various restorations done in the courtyard and east wing of the house in the late 1960s. This of course is all useful information to add to our knowledge of how the house was changed or repaired, but it was a chance remark, made in jest, that provides evidence of something else.

The letterwriter said that he did not find 'the ghost of the little girl down the well'. When that was read out everyone laughed and looked at me, saying 'see, no ghost!' (They all knew that it's a story I have often wished to employ when we plan events at Carisbrook.) But, you see, let's not miss the point. This is historical evidence: in the late 1960s there existed an urban rumour about a little ghost girl in the underground tank at Carisbrook.

Possibly the origin is the tragic story of a little girl from Hunters Hill who fell from a jetty on the Carisbrook Estate and drowned. It was during a regatta on the river and everyone was busy cheering the rowers on. That was in the early 1900s and I think the local men dragged the river for over a day before they found her. Locals would not forget a story like that and some on the jetty must have harboured regrets that they had not noticed the little one slowly slip beneath the water. Over time the tragedy has woven into myth. lchs@carisbrookhouse.com

Fact often merges into myth, but the supernatural at Carisbrook à-la 1950s were reported to the Woman's Day magazine by the McDougall family, owners of the house at the time. Apparently, the fire irons in the dining room moved without assistance and one member of the family kept laying an extra place at the table without the slightest consciousness of doing it. This little documented snippet was spectacularly added to by the winner of last year's LCHS Lane Cove History Prize. Ruth Benfield did a wonderful oral history of her 83-year-old mother's recollections of uncles Wes Eaton and Jim McDougall and their lives at Carisbrook. They were artistic, talented, created the beautiful terraced garden there and were apparently given to telling ghost stories. Leah recounts how she was told linen and towels would come flying out of Carisbrook's walk-in hall cupboard—all by themselves.

Now I can assure you that neither the caretaker at Carisbrook, nor any of the LCHS volunteers have ever seen, heard or felt any ghostly presence in the house—however, we are hoping that next July Carisbrook can put on her ghostly best atmosphere to give our local children some fun. So, to begin with, we need some enthusiastic early teens (and their parents) to help with the performance. If you are interested please message us on Facebook, or email your contacts so that we can send you the details.

Lane Cove Concert Band 60th anniversary gets underway with February band camp

WORDS: MICHELLE CASIGLIA

This year is the 60th anniversary of the Lane Cove Concert Band, in recognition of this milestone it has a number of exciting events planned, the first of which was ‘Band Camp,’ held from February 10-12.

Members from across the Lane Cove Concert Band organisation were invited to come along to camp, learn and rehearse with one of the three concert bands led by conductors Dan Williams, Megan Lipworth and Gavin Staines.

Each band was given the opportunity to rehearse intensively with their own members and conductors but most importantly they also received small group tutorial lessons from professional musicians from the Sydney area, including those from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Opera Ballet Orchestra. The most exciting part of our weekend was watching members of the Karingal Concert Band, which was formed as an adult beginner band in 2021, immerse themselves in the opportunity to learn and grow as musicians. Upon our arrival on Friday night all members participated in a play-in and created a 90-piece band that was led through new music by the conductors. The combining of all players from beginner through to professional musicians created a great sense of camaraderie and ensured the weekend was off to a good start.

Over the weekend each band spent time working on some very special compositions which have been written for them by acclaimed

Australian composer Dr Ralph Hultgren in recognition of LCCB’s 60th year. These pieces will have their world premiere at the 60th Anniversary Concert in August but each band will also get the opportunity to workshop the pieces with Dr Hultgren when he attends rehearsals in mid-March, and again in August, just prior to the concert. The band also had the opportunity to participate in an African Drumming workshop that was run by Soul Drummer. Although members were all hot and a little tired after a long day of music on Saturday, it didn’t take long for their energy to return once they had djembes in front of them and the African drumming rhythms began. Sunday included some final rehearsal time and a low-key concert performed by each of the three bands and which featured some of the music they had been working on over the last two days. The Camp Committee was ably led by Lawrence Patrick who ensured that every last part of the program was well thought out and organised, providing everyone with a hassle-free and enjoyable weekend.

The Lane Cove Concert Band will be continuing their 60th anniversary celebrations later in the year when they hold their 60th Anniversary Concert at Shore Auditorium on the 20th of August, all are welcome to attend.