We are so pleased to announce Michael Wolter from City of Perth Band is the recipient of the 2026 Allan Conroy WA Bandsperson of the Year award.

His tireless dedication to the City of Perth Bands is inspiring - the concerts he has organised have been outstanding to see, and the growth of the band he has engineered is exceptional.

Michael embodies the legacy of Allan, both people who have strived to make their band the best it can be.

Bethwyn Macukat has served Leeming Area Community Bands since 2001 as a trombonist, committee member and ten-year president. She helped guide the organisation’s growth to four bands, secured rehearsal facilities and grants, established successful training bands for adult beginners, volunteered at WABA events and built strong community relationships through more than two decades of dedicated service.

Sondra Skilton is our 2024 winner. She is a stalwart of community banding, and has made such an incredible contribution to all her bands - working on committees and playing trombone all across town!

Her work especially with Victoria Park is exceptional, and she was nominated by her band for her efforts for the band over recent years.

WA banding is richer for those who work so hard behind the scenes to help bring our bands to the stage for each performance.

Don has been involved with the City of Perth Bands for over 50 years as a brass and wind player, and served as a committee member for many of those years.

A stalwart of the band, he represents the best aspects of WA banding. 

Annette De Hoog is a very deserving winner of this award.

Her work with the Leeming Area Community Bands, WABA itself, and other groups in the community has been exemplary and her lifetime of service to her ensembles is inspiring. Even this weekend, she has spent the entire time being adjudicator assistant and helping - with the exception of when she was on stage playing.

We are lucky to have people like Annette in our community.

Rosalyn Healy is the well deserved winner of the 2021 Allan Conroy Memorial Award for WA Bands person of the Year. Her service with Bunbury City Band is inspiring to read, and it is clear she makes a huge contribution to the organisation.

All of us at WABA salute you Rosalyn - congrats and we are glad you could be recognised by the community for everything you do!

Congratulations to Nicky Hair - a worthy recipient of the 2019 Allan Conroy Memorial Award for the WA Bandsperson of the Year.

This is an award dear to our heart here at WABA. Without people like Nicky and Allan, we wouldn’t have community music here in WA.

Ted Tait has made a significant contribution to the WA Fire and Emergency Services Concert Band as deputy music director, founder and trainer of its drum corps, sectional leader and highly committed performer. His wider service includes conducting and playing with other bands, mentoring generations of students, performing ceremonial bugle calls and helping organise the 2018 massed event of 100 buglers commemorating the First World War Armistice

Mike Willett has made an outstanding contribution to Western Australian banding since 1988, including 29 years with RASWA Brass as principal cornet, committee member and office-bearer. He has also volunteered extensively for WABA events, helped organise the Festival of Brass and played a major role in the 2013 Australian National Band Championships.

Tony has been a dedicated member and leader of the Mandurah Concert Band since its earliest years, serving as president, librarian, bookings officer and committee member. He has also made a major contribution to WABA as a delegate, long-serving president and chair of the 2013 National Championships organising committee, along with his involvement with the NBCA, while actively supporting band festivals, community engagement and opportunities for young musicians.

Don Cook founded the Armadale City Concert Band in 1987 and led it as musical director for nearly three decades. Through his dedication, community engagement and high musical standards, the band achieved repeated contest success, built strong local partnerships and became one of the Armadale region’s most recognised musical groups.

Laurie O’Connell joined the Bunbury City Band in 1951 and gave more than 60 years of service as a euphonium player, committee member and musical director. He helped revive the competition now known as the Queen’s Cup, founded the South West Wind and Jazz Orchestra, mentored younger musicians and was awarded life membership for his outstanding contribution

Sherril has served the Goldfields Brass Band since joining at age nine in 1963. Over six decades, she has been a player, conductor, committee member, mentor and community ambassador, helping lead the band to major contest successes and organising significant local and statewide events.

Dianne has served Busselton Brass since 1989 as a flugelhorn player, committee member, president, secretary, publicity officer and Queen’s Cup organiser.

She has also raised funds, secured grants, taught and mentored musicians, supported other local ensembles and worked tirelessly to promote the band within the Busselton community.

John Bentley has served the City of Perth Band since 1985, including more than three decades as librarian and as the band’s WABA delegate. A life member since 1998, he has contributed to constitutional reviews, compiled the band’s history, regularly volunteered at WABA events and remains an invaluable adviser and supporter of the band.

Inaugural Winner 

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John Piper joined the Busselton Brass Band at age 12 in 1950 and gave more than 60 years of continuous service. A longtime solo cornet player, he also served as conductor, secretary and treasurer, taught and recruited many members, repaired instruments, and helped keep the band active during difficult periods. He was made a life member in 1980 for his outstanding contribution.