The far western New South Wales town of Broken Hill in Outback Australia would seemingly be an odd place to find a memorial to the courageous band members aboard the ill stricken luxury liner, the Titanic.

But, pride of place in a park near to the town’s centre stands tall a monument erected in 1912 by the citizens of the town.

The monument praises the heroic bandsmen, who played to the end, calmly facing certain death whilst women, children and their fellow men were launching into lifeboats on that fateful maiden voyage of the Titanic. Survivors’ speak of the music drifting across the ocean’s waves as the ship slowly sank into the inky depths of the Atlantic.

And given the strong musical traditions of Broken Hill and the important role it played in community life, especially in those early days of the 1900’s, it is no surprise they gave pause to remember those who perished at sea that night.

Inscribed on the monument are the musical notes to the song “Nearer, My God, To Thee”, which has been reported as the final song the band played.

And the band played on…

Photos: Janet & Baz

About us…

We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…

A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.

Cheers, Baz & Janet