Sale Temperance Band

The Sale Temperance Band was a brass band based in the Gippsland town of Sale, around the WW1 era.

History

The Sale Temperance Band existed from at least as early as 1912, when the local Gippsland Times newspaper reported that they were looking to secure the services of a bandmaster.

In November 1912, they took part in a demonstration to raise funds for the Gippsland Base Hospital, alongside the Sale Borough Band, Bairnsdale Municipal Band, Bairnsdale Brass Band, Lindenow Band, Calulu Band, Maffra Band and some members of the Stratford Band and Traralgon Band.

Bandmaster in 1913 was a Mr A. J. Sopp, who had also conducted the Briagolong Brass Band. Mr Sopp returned to England in that year.

The Sale Temperance Band performed at public gatherings such as the Sale Show, charity fundraisers and the Hospital fundraising demonstrations until around 1915.

It is unclear when they disbanded, but by 1919 it was recorded that there was no active brass band in Sale besides that of the Salvation Army. The Temperance Band's instruments, along with those of the defunct Sale Borough Band were reported as being available for the new formation of the Sale Brass Band.

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