Dhurringile Boys’ Band interest continues

My memories were strong and clear, but I figured that was because Highland dancing was one of my hobbies, and my friends and I frequently met up with the band.

However, the local response was also strong.

Families who hadn’t heard much about their fathers’ early lives, supporters of the band, and a local widow who knew all the details of her husband’s time at Dhurringile.

She told me about a reunion with his mother in Aberdeen — awkward at first, but thoroughly worthwhile by the time they returned home.

I published most of these communications the week following the original story.

Then, over the next three or four months, texts and emails continued to come in from various parts of the state.

Most of these were people saying, “I remember them. They performed at our Highland gathering.” (Or local show, and one reader had seen their first performance at the Melbourne Anzac Day parade, where they were so popular, they were asked to march again.)

It is not unusual for people to respond from areas well outside our circulation; however, it is clear that I underestimated the legacy of the Dhurringile boys.

Then in early December, I received the following — with an explanation.

Hello Marnie.

I’m from the Uniting Heritage Service, we hold the historical records for the Dhurringile Rural Training Farm.

Judy at the Tatura Museum kindly sent me a copy of your June 24, 2025 article titled “The legacy of Dhurringile’s Boys Band”.

It was a great read and triggered a memory of something I had previously come across, which may answer one of the questions raised in your article regarding the funding of the kilts.

It was from Ramona Audrey, and she attached pages from the 1956 edition of Presbyterian Life.

It is too long for me to include as is; however, I’ve included paragraphs you might find interesting.

Up in the Goulburn Valley, the Presbyterian Church is helping under-privileged boys from Britain to build a new life.

Not only is it training them to adapt their outlook to the Australian way of life; it is giving them also a foundation on which they can build strong Christian characters by combining their secular and religious training into a harmonious whole.

Dhurringile has now been operating for five years. The first group of 29 boys, selected by the Rev. A. Boag, arrived at the end of 1950.

Since then, 40 more have been sponsored by the church and have come to the farm in the Goulburn Valley.

There is a strong bond of loyalty between all the boys.

Boyish rivalry shows itself between those from Northern Ireland and the Scottish group, but both lots combine against the English.

When a cricket Test is on, they unite against Australia.

I had wondered about the cost of outfitting the band and written the following: “In the photo, there are 22 kilted band members plus the drum major, pipe major and manager also in kilts. I have no idea how much this would have cost in 1951, but I can tell you how much it would cost today. There would be little change from $100,000.”

Presbyterian Life has told us:

The boys’ pipe band has completely equipped itself with pipes, drums and full-dress uniforms from money paid to it for engagements — all within three years.

Recently, it capped a record of successes by winning the C-grade competition at the Highland Gathering at Heidelberg. It is the only juvenile band competing in competitions in Victoria.

(There is some debate locally about the band being paid for appearances.)

Then, a week or so ago, I received an email from Tracey Simmons, who lives in Hervey Bay, Queensland.

Tracey is the daughter of one of the first Dhurringile boys, and she would like to tell you about her dad, Hugh Barclay.

So, next week, we’ll hear from Tracey.

Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

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