General News
3 December, 2025
CWA donation helps keep the band playing
STAWELL City Brass Band has been given a boost thanks to the ladies from Stawell CWA. The local CWA branch recently donated $1,000 after it heard the band was facing financial and membership difficulties.
CWA Treasurer Jess Maffescione said her group wanted to do something positive to help a local iconic institution.
“We helped the Lions Club with ticket selling for the Easter Carnival and as such got a share in the profits from that and we heard the brass band were needing some funds to continue.
“Our group thought the brass band was an important asset to have so we decided to donate a thousand dollars to them. They were stoked.
“They were so grateful they are coming along to our Christmas Tree Festival to play some carols as well.”
Ms Maffescioni said it was important for groups like the CWA to support other community groups and initiatives.
“The band is an institution, they have been around for a long time and they turn up at all of the important community events, they’re always at Australia Day, they’re always at the carols, they’re at the show, they’re always giving back to the community so we though we’d try and give back to them so they can continue,” Ms Maffescioni said.
Stawell City Brass Band Vice President Josie Joynson said the band has had a rough year making the CWA donation even more special.
“We were blown away,” she said.
“A donation like this gave us a sign of relief. It has been a tough year.
“This came out of the blue and it was a fantastic boost for our band and our members,” she said.
For over 160 years, Stawell City Brass Band has been an important part of the local community, but earlier this year the Stawell Times-News reported the group was facing an uncertain future due to rising costs and stagnant membership.
President Russell Blachford said maintenance costs on the band’s headquarters along with rising insurance bills was making it hard to keep going.
“These premises are ours, we’d like to stay here, but the cost of operating is too much.
“Basically, we can’t afford to maintain this building.
“There isn’t much in the way of council or other grants to keep a group like ours going,” he said.
“If something doesn’t change we will have to sell,” Mr Blachford said earlier this year.
People interested in the future of the Stawell City Brass Band as players, donors or supporters are encouraged to call President Russell Blachford on 0418 542 963.
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