Teen’s Anzac Day call: Make Anzac Day special

Neve Longmire is one of a dozen young musicians from her school training for an Anzac Day driveway performance. She shares the extra motivation driving her as she pays tribute to her grandfather, a former army bandsman.

Musician Neve Longmire and her grandfather Frank Ford, 82. Picture supplied

Centenary State High school music teacher Fiona Harvey has been helping a dozen young musicians prepare to perform in their driveways for Anzac Day.

One of the students is Neve Longmire, a year 8 trumpet player from Centenary State High School who said: “If everyone was to go outside...we could all make this day as special as any other year”.

She said if we were all to do this: “It really shows respect for those who fought in the wars, in a way that we are not used to doing.”

Centenary Suburbs Anzac salute

RSL urges driveway salute to celebrate Anzac Day at home

Neve’s interest in Anzac Day and musical career has been inspired by her grandfather and former army musician Frank Ford.

Mr Ford, 82, played in brass bands in England and Australia for 70 years and has played at Anzac Day services for 25 years.

He emigrated from England in 1966 and is a former British Army and Band Corp member.

He has played in the North Queensland Army Band and 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Band and with the Townsville Army Reserve Band.

Anzac driveway performers

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After his army career, he joined the Education Department as an instrumental music teacher until his retirement.

Neve’s mum, Janet Longmire, said her father had been a great inspiration for Neve, who has written down some thoughts on Anzac Day, which is a tribute to her grandfather.

“Obviously this year’s Anzac Day is not like any other, but I think that if

everyone was to go outside on their driveway or balcony, we could all make

this day just as special as any other year,” Neve said.

Ms Harvey said Neve was one of many students from the Centenary State High School and Middle Park State School who had been practising music over the holidays for the Anzac Day salute.

“The music is not easy, and I’ve been working with five families over the holidays, teleconferencing music lessons to get them ready,” Ms Harvey said.

“They are very excited to be taking part and have spent all their holidays practising.”

They will be a part of a larger Centenary Suburbs-wide tribute with a live broadcast as well as live musicians to be positioned in driveways within Middle Park, Jindalee, Mt Ommaney and Westlake.

Anzac Day musicians Sophie Kukulies and Neve Longmire will be among many musicians performing in their driveways to honour the Anzacs on Saturday morning. Picture: Richard Walker

The participants will play at the same time as a 4074 Community & Beyond Facebook page live broadcast of the Last Post from Sophie Kukulies, in what organisers hope will be a meaningful tribute to the Anzacs.

Here are Neve Longmire’s thoughts on Anzac Day:

“When I first heard that Anzac Day was being honoured on the driveway of

people’s houses, I immediately thought that I wanted to play the Last Post to

honour the veterans.

I think by doing this, it really shows respect for those who fought in the wars,

in a way that we are not used to doing.

I have been attending our local Anzac Day service at Mount Ommaney since I was

a baby and have always stopped to acknowledge those who fought in the wars.

My Grandad played in the Army Band on Anzac Day for over 25 years, hence

why this day has always been such a special part of our lives and why I also

wanted to play my trumpet on my driveway.

Obviously this year’s Anzac Day is not like any other, but I think that if

everyone was to go outside on their driveway or balcony, we could all make

this day just as special as any other year.”