by Graham Wood:
In August/September 1962 the ABC sent a small group of musicians, led by Verdon Williams, on a tour of the north west of the state. Apart from Verdon, the ensemble which we called “The Southern Serenaders” included myself, Laszlo Vidak on violin and viola, Brian Meddemmen on cello, Jack Harrison on clarinet and harmonica, Peter Piccini on accordion and soprano Shirley Flesfader.
We travelled by DC3 aircraft, giving concerts in Carnarvon, Port Hedland, Derby, Broome, Darwin, Wyndham and Kununurra. Verdon had arranged all the music, which was of a pretty light nature and we all had a solo spot. We were paid £8 per concert and received a living allowance of £3/3/0 a day. We had a happy time, enjoying each other’s company. Peter Piccini was a natural comic and poor Shirley was the butt of many a practical joke, which she took in good part. One thing I remember vividly was the night when a huge stick insect landed on my violin while I was playing “The Flight of the Bumble Bee!”
Most of those towns were still remote and largely undeveloped at that time, so people really appreciated our efforts. The aborigines were shy about coming to the concerts, so in Derby a few of us were taken out to a camp late at night after our performance. In a moonlit clearing we played to the people, some of whom produced a couple of didgeridoos and played them for us. A magical moment ensued, as Jack Harrison quietly joined in with some gentle improvisations on his clarinet. We were entranced, as were all the people there, dogs included. A genuine fusion of cultures!