Blowing up a storm on Norfolk
by Greg Martin
Gabriel was an archangel with the power to announce God ’ s will to men .
He – or in this case , his female equivalent , Gabrielle – certainly showed the Almighty ’ s power when Cyclone Gabrielle blew across Norfolk Island in February .
Well , there ’ s another big blow heading Norfolk ’ s way later this month when two of Hawkesbury ’ s , and indeed , the country ’ s , finest trumpeters arrive to entertain the islanders and tourists .
Whereas Gabriel blew his horn to announce Judgement Day , the notes from Rex and Robert Campbell ’ s trumpets will be bringing joy to the gathered throng .
Community connection is thriving in the Hawkesbury
We all know that over the last few years , staying home and isolating for extended periods of time has had a detrimental effect on us as human beings . Naturally , people like to socialise , be amongst others , help those in need and generally , be connected to community .
This is why it has been so wonderful this year to see such an array of events and activities in the Hawkesbury , not just from Council , but from so many community groups and businesses .
Out and about at these events , it has been fantastic to witness complete joy and happiness on people ’ s faces . There has been a real buzz , an increased energy and pure delight in life returning to some form of ‘ normal ’. This has made my job as Mayor very pleasing , because the general welfare , both mentally and physically of our residents , is so important to me .
Based on this , I want to congratulate those who have organised such occasions , including the Richmond Lions Club ‘ Comedy for a Cause ’, St Albans Markets , the Bilpin Apple Picking Fair , the Hawkesbury Women in Business International Women ’ s Day event , St Andrew ’ s Uniting Church Eugowra fundraiser , Hope Walk , Hawkesbury Riding Club Charity Fashion Night , the Chamber of Commerce events , local Progress Association meetings , Hawkesbury Business Events networking at Windsor , Clean up Australia Day , The Ferry Artists Gallery exhibition launch and so many more …
Let ’ s not also forget so many sports starting , both summer
Norfolk Island will host the renowned Clarence Valley Orchestra from April 13-18 during which the orchestra will entertain islanders and visitors with three performances . The orchestra , which brings together talented musicians from across the Clarence Valley – Grafton out to Casino – is so highly-respected , it has little trouble attracting a bevy of high-profile musicians as guest performers .
Such is the orchestra ’ s reputation it has allowed them to perform with guest artists including international pianists David Helfgott and Simon Tedeschi , actor Nicholas Hammond ( from the original motion picture The Sound of Music ), celebrity vocalists Rhonda Burchmore , Denis Walter
and winter , as well as cafés and restaurants thriving with customers and enjoying Hawkesbury ’ s fine produce and service . In addition , we had Council ’ s massive Australia Day party , Community Hubs operating in outlying areas every week and our School Leadership and Awareness Program , that saw almost 400 local primary school children visit our Council Chamber and love every minute of it .
These events bring opportunities to connect , to belong , to feel part of something special and most importantly , to smile and laugh . I know we still have a way to go as we recover from years of local disasters , but I truly want to thank everyone who has had an idea or vision come to life , that has brought locals together and has fostered this sense of community spirit and inclusion . The more positivity we can keep building upon , the better !
Until next time , Sarah . and Monica Trapaga , and opera stars such as Jason Barry-Smith and Dominique Fegan .
Add to that array of stars Glossodia ’ s Rex and Robert Campbell !
Gabrielle , Gabriel and a Sydney Southerly Buster can blow up a storm , and so too can this father and son duo .
Both men aren ’ t the type who blow their own trumpets ( although they do – aah , you know what I mean !) so let me do it for them .
For 20 years , Rex blew the trumpet as a member of the elite Royal Australian Air Force Band which has two bands , Rex ’ s at Richmond RAAF and the other at Laverton RAAF Base in Melbourne .
Since ending his association with the RAAF in 1995 , Rex has continued blowing those sweet notes on memorial occasions such as Anzac Day and as a member of the St Mary ’ s Band Club Brass Band , Swing West Jazz Orchestra and the Warringah Concert Brass Band .
“ The band club brass band was where Robert commenced his musical career at a young age ,” Rex said . “ He came through the ranks quickly and progressed to the senior band where he was an integral player for band contests the band entered , graduating to become an accomplished solo performer .”
Robert featured in these pages in 2016 just after finishing an 80-performance stint as a member of the 18-piece band in the Lyric Theatre ’ s production of Dream Lover , the story of Bobby Darrin .
The catalyst for dad and son ’ s love of music and in particular , the
Rex Campbell honed his skills on the trumpet as a member of the elite Royal Australian Air Force Band for two decades . Photo : Kathryn Johnston . trumpet , was Rex ’ s father , Tom .
“ We grew up in Penshurst and dad , who at that stage had never played a musical instrument , took my three brothers , Glen , Terry and Mark and I along to join him in becoming Hurstville Municipal Band members ,” Rex explained .
“ I was eight at the time and opted to play the cornet which was my instrument of choice and I played that over the ensuing years before moving onto the trumpet .”
Those ensuing years involved playing in the Hurstville High School Army Cadet Band , the Bexley Band and in 1973 , the Citizens Military Force ( CMF ) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Band .
“ In 1974 I auditioned for the RAAF Band , passed the audition and was accepted into the air force , doing my recruit training at
That ’ s my boy ! Rex Campbell ( r ) and his son , Robert , blowing their sweet music during a wedding . The men are renowned as being among the top trumpeters in the country .
RAAF Edinburgh ( Adelaide ) before being posted to the Richmond Air Command Band where I remained until retiring in ’ 95 ,” Rex said . “ The band gave all of us the opportunity to travel all over Australia and overseas to RAAF Butterworth in Penang and to Singapore at Royal Air force Base Tengah .
“ We played at all the memorial days , in concerts , corps parades , garden parties and at a multitude of schools – all of us in the band , I ’ m sure , believed we were so blessed to get paid for doing a job we loved .”
Robert , now 33 years old , as well as graduating as Bachelor of Music ( Performance ) Jazz from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music ( 2007-2011 ) also attained a Masters in Teaching from the University of Western Sydney ( 2012-2014 ).
The latter degree , he is now putting to use teaching music at Katoomba High School , but his musical journey continues as a member of the popular Midnight Tea Party band as well as sitting in with local jazz groups .
Rex , now a hale and hearty 66-yearold thanks to daily walks and three gym sessions a week , lives with his wife of 37 years , Marina .
The couple have recently become proud and doting grandparents for the first time , their daughter , Melinda , and her husband , Robert , two months ago presenting them with a grandson , Malachi .
William Gilbert was a 17th Century English philosopher who was spot on and could have been predicting the musical success of Rex and Robert all those centuries ago .
“ If you wish in this world to advance your merits you ’ re bound to enhance ; You must stir it and stump it , and blow your own trumpet , Or , trust me , you haven ’ t a chance .”
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14 ISSUE 155 // APRIL 2023 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT