1948 BATTLE OF THE BANDS – a fund-raising competition was announced in Perth in April 1948 for the Perth Chest Clinic:
TB COLONY – To help raise funds for the Wooroloo after-care colony, a Hospital Queen contest will be held. It will be launched this month and will end in a health week and a musical, dramatic and dancing festival about the end of June.
The Daily News Wednesday 7 April 1948 page 7
On July 1st 1948, Jack Harrison’s trio won £25 in “Battle of the Bands” at the Capitol Theatre. It was attended by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Sir James Mitchell G.C.M.G. and raised funds for Wooroloo hospital with Margot Elfverson, who was also the receptionist at the Murray St Chest Clinic, as the Public Health Candidate.
Thursday, July 1, 8 p.m. Popular Dance Band Contest – CAPITOL THEATRE. Guest Band .. .. Sammy Sharp and his Boys. Compere: Geoff Manton. PROCEEDS IN AID HOSPITAL QUEEN CONTEST
The West Australian Monday 28 June 1948 page 12
THURSDAY JULY 1 1948 AT 8PM – BATTLE OF THE BANDS CAPITOL THEATRE, WILLIAM STREET, PERTH
Band No. 6 Jack Harrison’s Swing Trio
BATTLE OF THE BANDS CONTEST – HOSPITAL AID – Dance Band Contest Winners – Strains of boogie-woogie, jazz, jive and swing music formed the principal part of last night’s entertainment at the Capitol Theatre in connection with the Wooroloo Hospital Queen Contest. The programme was arranged by the Legion of Liberty. which is one of several bodies who together are seeking to raise £100,000 required for the establishment of a village for the after-care of discharged tuberculosis patients. The chief feature of the evening was the “battle of the bands.” with five dance bands competing for a prize comprising silver and a cheque for £25. Honours went to Jack Harrison’s Swing Trio, one of the smaller ensembles in the competition, consisting of Jack and his twin sister, aged 16 years, and an 18-year-old brother. Ron Jenkins and his orchestra were placed second, and the Ashton Quartette third. The prizes were presented on behalf of the legion by “Miss Liberty” (Miss Elma Palmer). Judgment was based on the strength of the applause. Nearly all accommodation in the theatre was taken. Geoff Manion compered. The West Australian Friday 2 July 1948 page 10
CAPITOL THEATRE SHOW – BATTLE OF THE BANDS CONTEST – VENTURE PROVES HUGE SUCCESS – WOOROLOO HOSPITAL QUEEN CONTEST With a theatre almost packed to capacity hundreds of enthusiasts enjoyed an evening of boogie-woogie, jive, jazz and swing music which formed the principal part of the Capitol Theatre entertainment on 1st July last. During the evening Sammy Sharpe’s fifteen piece Orchestra rendered latest numbers from overseas. The Battle of the Bands proved most interesting, the honours going to the smallest ensembles in the contest. Sixteen year old Jack Harrison, with his twin sister and eighteen year old brother took home the colours in the form of a silver cup and a cheque for £25. Judgement of the winning band was based on applause by the audience and results were very close. Ron Jenkins and his band ran Jack Harrison a very close second, with Mrs Ashton’s Quartette third on the list. Prizes were presented by “Miss Liberty” (Elma Palmer) who afterwards thanked many people and organisations for very valuable assistance rendered to the cause. A good profit was the result of the evening. The Harrisons generously donated five pounds of the prize money to “Miss Liberty’s” Appeal. Shows of this nature prove conclusively that the Legion is fully capable of running large functions, and we feel sure that this addition to the cause will be much appreciated. To members of the Hospital Queen Committee and to all members of the Legion who rendered assistance we express our sincere thanks. We also extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the many firms whose assistance in various matters added tremendously to the success of the evening. To the contesting bands we owe a particular vote of thanks. Without the band there would not have been a contest. We feel that this Contest stimulated interest in the jazz-band world and we hope that in the future it will be possible to organise other functions of a similar nature.
The Legion (Legion of Liberty) August 1948
HOSPITAL AID – Dance Band Contest Winners – Strains of boogie-woogie, jazz, jive and swing music formed the principal part of last night’s entertainment at the Capitol Theatre in connection with the Wooroloo Hospital Queen Contest. The chief feature of the evening was the “Battle of the Bands” with five dance bands competing for a prize comprising silver and a cheque for 25 pounds. Honours went to Jack Harrison’s Swing Trio, one of the smaller ensembles in the competition, consisting of Jack and his twin sister, aged 16 years and an 18 year old brother. Ron Jenkins and his orchestra were placed second.
The West Australian Friday July 2 1948
Judgement of the winning band was based on applause by the audience…The Harrisons generously donated five pounds of the prize money to the appeal. The Legion Perth Western Australia August 1948
