Sponsors
The Evergreen Brass Band would like to thank the following for providing grants.
The Evergreen Band was established in 1995 by a group of retired bandsmen seeking an opportunity to perform and have a social rehearsal.
Initially formed as concert band, the Evergeen Band has developed into a very friendly band of brass and percussion instruments.
We are THE most active brass band in Bendigo.
The Band performs at both public and private functions. Each fortnight the Evergreen Band provides a daytime concert at various care homes and retirement villages throughout the City of Greater Bendigo.
We are a very friendly band with fun rehearsals and performances which are normally held during daylight hours on weekdays. We play marches but do not march nor enter competitions. Most members also belong to other bands in the area.
Players of all ages are welcome.
Rehearsals are held on Mondays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (excluding Easter Monday).
Afternoon tea is held during rehearsal and usually includes fresh home-made scones served with jam and whipped cream.
Rehearsals are held in the bandroom of Eaglehawk Citizens' Brass Band,
27 Peg Leg Road, Eaglehawk Victoria.
The Bandroom is opposite Aldi between the ambulance station and the fire station.
The Eaglehawk Citizens' Band Car Park is located in Market Street opposite Seymoure Street. Street parking is also available in Peg Leg Road.
| Activity | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehearsals Resume | Mon 29th Jan 2024 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Band Room Eaglehawk Citizens' Brass Band |
| Bunnings Barbecue | Sun 4th Feb 2024 | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm | Bunnings Epsom |
| Concert # 1 | Wed 7nd Feb 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Benetas 6-8 Wesley Street, Kangaroo Flat |
| Concert # 2 | Wed 21st Feb 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Bendigo Retirement Village 33-53 Mandurang Road, Spring Gully |
| Concert # 3 | Sun 3rd Mar 2024 | 10:30 am - 12:00 md | Sandakan Memorial Service Crook Street, Kennington |
| Concert # 4 | Wed 6th Mar 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Benetas 112 Upper California Gully Road, California Gully |
| Concert # 5 | Wed 20th Mar 2024 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Uniting Age Well 131 Condon Street, Kennington |
| Concert # 6 | Wed 3rd Apr 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Carshalton House Stoneham Street, Golden Square |
| Concert # 7 | Wed 17th Apr 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Bendigo Health Joan Pinder 26 Gibson Street, North Bendigo |
| Bunnings Barbecue | Sat 27th Apr 2024 | 8:00 am - 5:00 pm | Bunnings Epsom |
| Concert # 8 | Wed 1st May 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Royal Freemasons 64 Somerville Street, Flora Hill |
| Concert # 9 | Wed 15th May 2024 | Cancelled by Venue | Bentleys Aged Care 47 Harpin Street, East Bendigo |
| Concert # 10 | Wed 29th May 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Estia Health Victoria Heights 41-47 Victoria Street, Ironbark |
| Concert # 11 | Wed 24th Jul 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Heathcote Health Aged Care Hostel, 39 Hospital Street, Heathcote |
| Evergreen A.G.M. | Wed 29th Jul 2024 | 1:00 am - 2:00 pm | Eaglehawk Citizens' Brass Band Peg Leg Road, Eaglehawk |
| Concert # 12 | Wed 7th Aug 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Benetas 112 Upper California Gully Road, California Gully |
| Concert # 13 T.B.C. | Sun 18th August 2024 | 10:30 am | Vietnam Veterans' Day 73-75 Havilah Road, Long Gully |
| Concert # 14 | Wed 21st Aug 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Benetas 6-8 Wesley Street, Kangaroo Flat |
| Concert # 15 | Wed 4th Sep 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Carshalton House Stoneham Street, Golden Square |
| Concert # 16 | Wed 18th Sep 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Uniting Age Well 131 Condon Street, Kennington |
| Concert # 17 | Wed 2nd Oct 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Estia Health Victoria Heights 41-47 Victoria Street, Ironbark |
| Concert # 18 | Wed 16th Oct 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Bendigo Health Joan Pinder 26 Gibson Street, North Bendigo |
| Concert # 19 | Wed 30th Oct 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Bendigo Retirement Village 33-53 Mandurang Road, Spring Gully |
| Concert # 20 | Wed 6th Nov 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Benetas 112 Upper California Gully Road, California Gully |
| Concert # 21 | Wed 4th Dec 2024 | 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Royal Freemasons 61 Alder Street, Kangaroo Flat |
| Concert # 22 T.B.C. | Thu 5th Dec 2024 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Family Fun Night Bunnings Epsom |
| Last Rehearsal for 2024 | Mon 9th Dec 2024 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Band Room Eaglehawk Citizens' Brass Band |
| Concert # 23 T.B.C. | Thu 12th Dec 2024 | 12:00 md - 1:00 pm | Carols at Lunchtime Bunnings, Epsom |
| Christmas Luncheon | Mon 18th Dec 2024 | 12:00 md - 2:00 pm | venue not booked yet |
During 2010, the Evergreen Band was privileged to secure, Brian McMennemin as their new Musical Director. On 26th January 2021, Brian was awarded the Medal of The Order of Australia for his service to music through brass bands. Brian is a Life Member of the Victorian Bands' League and was awarded a Service Medal for 60 years membership and their Certificate of Merit. The National Band Council of Australia awarded Brian a 25 year Service Medal. He is a member of Eaglehawk Citizens' Brass Band where he plays Eb tuba and is a committee member of Bendigo and District Bands' Group.
At 11 years of age, Brian started on the baritone at Maldon Brass Band under the tutorage of Eric Desmond and then progressed to euphonium. In 1956 he entered the RAAF as a boy musician in the RAAF Band at Laverton. Upon leaving the RAAF in 1964, he joined St Kilda Brass Band and remained until 1969 whereupon he moved to Springvale and joined Dandenong Municipal Band. Whilst at Dandenong he also became conductor of their junior band.
In 1976 Brian moved to Bendigo and became bandmaster of Bendigo Central Band. In 1977 the Shire of Strathfieldsaye sponsored the band and it became known as Strathfieldsaye Municipal Band. During 1979, Brian became conductor of Hopetoun Bendigo Band. In 1984 whilst still conductor at Hopetoun Bendigo Band, Brian also became conductor at Marist Brothers Band.
Brian has taken bands to both state and national championships, with bands under his baton winning three national titles.
Formed in August 1994, the Band was originally known as Bendigo Evergreen Concert Band.
Rehearsals and meetings were held in the rooms of the City of Bendigo Brass Band. (now called City of Greater Bendigo Brass Band).
The Band was incorporated as The Evergreen Concert Band Inc.
The Evergreen Band affiliated with the Bendigo & District Bands' Group.
The Band moved to the bandroom of Marist Brothers Band (now called Marist Brass Band).
The Band explored a change of uniform, but decided to retain the existing navy blue trousers/skirt, white shirt and navy tie.
Being unable to source more blue neckties, the Band replaced them with black bow-ties.
The Band joined the Victorian Bands' League.
With the attrition of reed players, the Band had become a brass band. The name of the corporate entity was changed to Evergreen Band Inc. Registration number A0036380Z.
Day-time parking at Marist Brothers Band disappeared due to the establishment of the new Doxa School.
Consequently the Band moved back to the City of Bendigo Brass Band room.
The black bow-ties were replaced by green neck ties for the men and green scarves for the ladies. The colour of the trousers/skirts had changed from navy to black some years ago.
The website was proposed on 28th August 2017.
The Band adopted the Model Rules from the Associations Incorporation Reform Regulations (Vic) 2012. The aims & objectives were also updated.
Evergreen Band Inc. is registered by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission.
The COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions required the Band to go into recess, cancelling all performances and rehearsals.
There had been a continuing issue with daytime access and parking at the City of Greater Bendigo Brass Band room prompting the move to rehearse at Eaglehawk Citizens' Brass Band room.
Congratulations Brian! Our musical director was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his service to music through brass bands.
After over a year of cancelled performances due to pandemic lockdowns, our first gig was at lunchtime in Hargreaves Mall, Bendigo.