Selwyn Baker with a photo taking in Waihi in 1961 of him playing in his brass band. Photo/Melanie Camoin
Selwyn Baker with a photo taking in Waihi in 1961 of him playing in his brass band. Photo/Melanie Camoin
Selwyn Baker has been playing in the brass band at Waihi Anzac Day services since he was 12.
The 82-year-old holds an impressive record, clocking up 68 appearances with the old Waihi Federal Brass Band and Waihi Salvation Army Brass Band. He had only missed two occasions, once when he was sick and the other when he was overseas.
But this week, due to a lack of band members, he missed his third and said his goal of making 70 years of appearances may be out of reach.
But Mr Baker he was not ready to give up yet. He hoped more players would join the ranks of the Waihi Salvation Army Brass Band so it could carry on its tradition.
"I was aiming for 70 years attendance but that isn't going to happen. It's just one of those things and I'm nearly at the tail end of it now."
Flashback to 1961, Fred Lindsey, Loid Cobham, Joe Baker, Sel Baker and former Waihi Salvation Army Major (Captain) Gordon Brinsdon. Photo/supplied
"It was just a part of my life but an enjoyable part of it and I got to meet a lot of folks and made some good friends," Mr Baker said.
He started playing with the Waihi Salvation Army Brass Band and learnt to play the baritone before moving onto the tenor horn.
"The Waihi Salvation Brass Band used to join with the Waihi Federal Brass Band for Anzac Day services but it would not allow kids to play unless they were 12."
During those days he met several Governors-General.
"When they came to town they would always say hello.
"Of course when you are one of the youngest in the band they'd always say "son, how are you?"
Having the brass band at Anzac Day services at Waihi and Waihi Beach made it more formal, he said.
Waihi Salvation Army Brass Bandmaster Peter Robertson said it was stripped bare of the number of players it could call on for Anzac Day.
The band had a core base of about six people with friends and musicians from the Katikati Concert Band or Kerepehi Brass Band helping to play at its monthly Sunday service.
"We depend on a bit of help from other musicians and they are happy to come along once a month and practice with us. "But this is where it is difficult for us on Anzac Day because they belong to different bands.
"Everybody is being pulled in different directions."
Unfortunately, two key Waihi Salvation Army Brass Band members were also not available for the Anzac Day service this year, he said.
Usually, the band would go to the dawn service at Waihi then go out to the Waihi Beach service at 9.30am and "zoom back in to Waihi for the Civic service," he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Robertson credited Mr Baker for his faithful commitment to the Waihi Salvation Army Brass Band.
"The beauty of playing musical instruments is you just keep going until you just can't blow an instrument or read the music anymore.
"Selwyn has been a faithful member for many, many years."
Mr Robertson was also keen to hear from anyone who wanted to learn a brass instrument or join the band.
"I'd be happy to teach them and we would definitely welcome new members."
Want to learn to play a brass instrument? - contact Waihi Salvation Army Brass Bandmaster Peter Robertson - Call 07 863 6377 or 022 356 8547 - The band is also looking for new members.
