HARRISON, Ramon Kerr was the older brother of Jack Harrison.
On 16th July 1929, William Edward Harrison and Edna May Kerr had their second son, Ramon Kerr Harrison.
HARRISON. — On July 16, at Kiama Private Hospital, Nicholson-road, Subiaco,
to Mr. and Mrs. W. Harrison, of Hollywood — a son.
At this time, the family home was at 64 Bruce Street, Nedlands, Western Australia. 
In 1935 the family moved to 24 Highway Nedlands.
Ramon (or “Ray” or “Mon”) attended Nedlands State School and started learning the drums with teachers Alf Schofield and Fraser Middleton-White. Ray Harrison also remembered having an over the phone drumming lesson with George Watson, arranged by his father.
Ray toured with his father and brother Jack to country centres, performing on bass harmonica to form a trio.
On completion of primary school and attended Junior Technical School in Newcastle Street in West Perth and was a drummer in the Y.A.L band.
In 1943 aged 14, Ray’s first job was at a broom factory in Welshpool making broomheads from blackboy reeds. Ray only worked there for a week!
His first permanent job was at Joseph Lucus Batteries and electrical, Wellington Street, Perth working in the shock absorbers department plus building and repairing batteries. He stayed there for about 7 or 8 years until the late 1950s.
1945 Sunday nights became “jam session” night at the Harrison’s Nedlands home, with all four children (Bill Jnr on saxophone) joining in. Jack’s best mate and neighbour, John McMeikan, described Ray Harrison as not only a “brilliant drummer” but also the clown of the family “a born comedian” and remembers his nickname as a result being “Nit”.
In October, Ray Harrison’s Swing Band entered in the 1945 Sportsmen’s Amateur Quest which was a prominent talent competition aimed at showcasing local performers. The first final of this competition, described as the “W.A. Sportsmen’s £150 Amateur Quest,” was held at the Perth Town Hall on Sunday, October 28, 1945. The event was a high-profile entertainment competition during the immediate post-war period in Perth.
FINAL £150 W.A. SPORTSMEN’S AMATEUR QUEST – Sunday, 8.45 p.m. PERTH TOWN HALL
VOCAL SECTION: Mr Lloyd Taylor, Miss Pauline Jordan, Mr Ernie Mulcahy, Miss Julia Pusey, Miss Betty Elder, Mr Geo. Townsend
NOVELTY SECTION: Mr Ernest Ritter, Miss Fay Robinson, Mr John Sutton, Miss Pauline Thick, Ray Harrison’s Swing Band, Mr Frank Jenkins.
The voting results determining the artists to progress to the final were:
Result 2nd Final £150 W.A. Sportsmen’s Amateur Quest
Artists Selected to Appear Grand Final
No. 10. HARRISON’S SWING BAND 191
No. 9. Mr. JENKINS 182
No. 6. Mr. ERNIE MULCAHY 180
No. 11. Miss JULIA PUSEY 139
No. 2. Miss BETTY ELDER 137
No. 5. Mr JOHN SUTTON 133.
The Daily News Thursday 8 November 1945 page 12
Ray Harrison’s drumming talent received state wide recognition when in November 1946 the “Ray Harrison Swing Band”, consisting of Ray on drums and Jack on clarinet and saxophone and Jill Harrison on piano came third in the 6PM-AM “Search for Talent” Competition held at Fremantle Town Hall.
Last Friday night at the Fremantle Town Hall the winners of the 6PM-AM £50 Search for Talent contest were announced. Phil Moran, tenor, won the competition while the Machlin sisters, a singing cowgirl trio, were second and Ray Harrison’s Swing Band was third. Ray, with his sister and brother Jill and Jack, were third in the contest with their combination as an orchestra. Ray plays the drums, Jill is the pianist and Jack plays the saxophone and clarinet. Jack won an Australian Amateur Hour in 1940 when he appeared at the age of nine as a mouth organist.
The Broadcaster Saturday November 9 1946
In 1947, Jack Harrison formed his own dance band with his twin sister Jill and brother Ray and they performed jazz with “dash old-time” at “The Blue Room” and regularly at North Perth and Leederville Town Halls.
Pen Points on Perth By Harry Black – IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY – Music is an integral part of the Harrison family, as veteran pianist Bill Harrison is Jack’s proud poppa, a sister plays piano in Jack’s outfit while a brother wields the drumsticks. Jack is being ably coached in his sax work by Ken Murdoch, while he is also studying “legit” clarinet with A.B.C. woodwindist Alan Rule. Apart from these few activities, plus his harmonica appearances, plus his home rehearsals, plus his rehearsals with the A.B.C. Amateur symphony Group, plus his private practice – Jack still finds time to be a modest 15 year old Aussie. All his many friends in local musical circles predict quite a musical future for young Jack – so we wish him the best of luck!!
Music Maker July 21 1947
From 1948 through to the end of 1950, Jack, Jill and Ray were employed full time for dances, radio broadcasts, weddings and parties.
Harrison family Again – Sixteen-year-old Musician to give further broadcast
Western Australia was represented last week in “National Fair” from 6IX-WB-MD by twins, Jack and Jill Harrison and elder brother Ray. The Harrison family was put up as the best musical family in Australia. Jack Harrison, the 16 year old lad who played both the saxophone and clarinet, was such a success that the producers asked him to put up another challenge, so he is again appearing in the programme next Wednesday as the best clarinettist in Australia. Jack will again be accompanied by his twin Jill on the piano, and his brother Ray on the drums. This time Jack will be playing the clarinet only. His item will be “Special Delivery Stomp” one of Artie Shaw’s favourites. So far this is the first time two challenges have been put up by the same person. The West Australian selectors hope that this challenge is unbeatable, but listeners can decide that for themselves when they hear what the other States can produce to take up this challenge. The other five states also will be presenting their “exhibits” on Wednesday night at 8 o’clock, some again challenging and others answering challenges previously set. If anyone who knows of anything or anybody who could possibly be used as an “exhibit” in “National Fair”, he or she is asked to communicate with W.A. Broadcasters Ltd., Lyric House, Perth.
The Broadcaster Saturday January 17 1948 Vol. 14, No. 720
On the Dial
The success of the Harrison Family (Jack, Jill and Ray) in the 6IX-WB-MD session “National Fair”, was demonstrated by the fact that they were engaged by the sponsors for a repeat performance the following week. When they were heard in the session for the first time Jack, who is 16 years of age, was nominated as the best clarinettist in Australia. So far no one has disputed the claim. There are no cash prizes for “National Fair”, but the session enables West Australian talent to be heard in the Eastern states. The programme is broadcast each Wednesday night at 8 o’clock.
The Broadcaster Saturday February 14 1948
On the Dial Harrisons Hit Jackpot in “National Fair”
Although “National Fair” (2UW Wednesday Night) has only been on the air a few weeks, already one of the “exhibits” has received an offer to appear on the A.B.C. This offer was made to the Western Australian Harrison family who appeared twice on “National Fair”, once as the “most musical family” in Australia and the second time Jack Harrison, accompanied by his twin sister Jill and elder brother Ray, appeared as the “best clarinettist”. “National Fair” is a new nation-wide radio competition in which each State of the Commonwealth puts up an “exhibit” which they claim to be the best of its kind in Australia. This “exhibit” which takes the form of a challenge to the other States, can be anything from a singing parrot to a dance band, or a pearl diver to a pianist – and so on. So far neither of the challenges issued by the Harrison family has been taken up by any of the other states in the commonwealth. The A.B.C. has engaged these clever, young musicians and they will soon be heard on their own half hour programme once a week on the State network. The producers of “National Fair” hope that this programme will bring to light many more talented people. Interesting entries continue to come in from all the States, some fantastic, amazing, others like the Harrison family, representing their State with their musical talent.
Music Maker February 20 1948
Jack Harrison will enter the “National Fair” arena once again on Wednesday night. The 16 year old Perth musicians will take up a challenge from Victoria to find a better harmonica player than Brucy Skurry. Jack’s harmonica solo in this 6IX-WB-MD session will be “Smoke Gets in your eyes”. He appeared in two early “National Fair” programmes with his brother Ray and twin sister Jill. They were nominated in the first instance as the best juvenile music-makers. Jack was nominated as the best clarinettist in Australia. To date, no other State has accepted either of the challenges from this versatile family.
The Broadcaster Saturday March 13 1948
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
1948 The Second Jazz Jamboree
Already the bands concerned in this year’s “Jazz Jamboree” are working on their numbers for this colossal programme which shows every promise of superseding last year’s magnificent turn out. The bands listed to appear so far are – Merv Rowston’s, Jack Harrison’s, Ron Jenkin’s, A Jazz Group, Bill Kirkham’s, Chris Gosper’s and Sammy Sharp’s bands. This year a box plan will be opened and so it is hoped to avoid the terrific crush and queuing that took place last year – the queue was four deep, entirely encircling a complete city block – and was there for a couple of hours in pouring rain. Also – at last – proceeds from this year’s Jamboree go to the Musician’s own Benevolent Fund.
Music Maker October 1948
On 23rd December 1948, Ray Harrison announced his engagement to Norma Webber. The ring was from Mazzuchelli’s in Hay Street, Perth and cost £21/-
Norma Laurel, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Webber, of 16 Lansdowne Street, Jolimont to Ramon Kerr, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, of 24 Highway, Nedlands.
The Mount Lawley Tennis Club dances held every second Friday was the place to go and Jack Harrison and his twin sister Jill and brother Ray supplied the music. Everyone knew everyone else everyone danced every dance. There was no alcohol and the man at the door made sure everyone was safe.
Kings Park Tennis Club held a similar type dance every alternate Saturday with the same band and the same people. Berwyn and Marcia caught a tram and a trolley bus to attend. Bob Pope who lived a few streets away often came as well this time. Margot Lang reminisced “when the Kings Park Tennis Club dance with Jackie Harrison’s band was a popular place for Nedland’s teenagers on Saturday nights, the girls would sometimes walk across Kings Park and down Jacob’s ladder to catch a trolley bus home on Mount Bay Road with never a worry about rapists lurking in the dark.”
LANG, Margot The West Australian Magazine, 11.8.1990 page 17
Jack Harrison augmented his swing band according to the requirements of functions, sometimes up to ten players, such as the April 22nd 1949 University of Western Australia Graduation Ball at Winthrop Hall. Players were issued with a cheque on 5th May 1949 and were paid 3 pound 2 and 6 for the gig. Players paid were: Norm Wrightson (saxophone), George Kirkby, Jack Pope (trumpet), George Franklin (trumpet), C. Thompson, Bill Hendrie (guitar), Roy Coates, Ray Harrison (drums), Jill Harrison (piano) and Jack was the tenth band member.
They competed in Harry Blucks “Jazz Jamborees”.
JAZZ JAMBOREE OF 1949 – EIGHT OF PERTH’S BEST BANDS – Alvan St. Jazz Group, Harry Black’s Swingtette, Jack Harrison’s Quintette, Ron Jenkins Lido Quartette, Ken Murdoch’s Band, Bill Kirkham’s Jive Band, Merv. Rowston’s Band, Sammy Sharp’s Band. CAPITOL THEATRE, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30th. ADMISSION: 3/6 (reserved). Box Plan at Nicholsons.
The West Australian Wednesday 19 October 1949 page 30
CONCERT AT CAPITOL (Sunday 2 Oct 1949) Good Response To Legacy Drive. The Legacy Club’s appeal for £ 10,000 benefited to the amount of £650 from the “Command Performance” on Sunday night at the Capitol Theatre. It was announced that in the two days since the appeal was launched, £1,500 had been donated and that an anonymous person had offered to donate £100 if five others would contribute a similar sum. The performance was compered by Mr. Dick Pair, of “Australia Hour” fame, produced by Mr. Michael Eustace and contributed to by star artists, all of whom gave their services free. The theatre was packed in all parts. Mr. Fair was piped on to the stage by the W.A. Caledonian Pipe Band. Mr. F. Gaved opened the programme with entertaining feats of magic, after which Mr. Charles Court (cornetist) rendered two items. Miss Pamela Flower’s contributions were followed by dance items by Mr. and Mrs. Wrightson and two sisters, Regina and Janina. Mr. Laurie Croisette, a London baritone, made his first appearance in Australia with two numbers and a guitar selection. Mr. Billy Edwards’s Specialty Harmonists (Messrs. L. Hancock, G. Griffiths, W. Frankish and L Richardson) were heard in three choruses, and Jack Harrison’s Swing Quartette was then heard. A male ballet of Y.A.L boys gave an exhibition of dancing and tap dancing. There was sustained applause for the blind pianist, Mr. Billy Clowes and Bette Whittaker and Phil Morgan. Mr. Albert Chappelle (baritone) had to respond to an encore. A banjo solo by Wally Hadley was also included. The accompanists were Mrs. N.W. Freemantle, Misses Phyllis Blott and Joan Drede and Mr. Billy Edwards.
The West Australian Tuesday 4 October 1949 page 6
17th July 1950 was Ray Harrison’s 21st birthday party.
His cake featured a tiny figurine drummer complete with drum kit.
25th July 1950 was the Silver Wedding anniversary of Ray’s parents and a party was held at the family home at 24 Highway Nedlands.
[Ray’s parents William and Edna Harrison married 25 July 1925 – 25th silver wedding anniversary].
On 16th December 1950 Ramon Kerr married Norma Laurel Webber at St George’s Cathedral Perth. Jill Harrison was a bridesmaid.
Ray announced his retirement from drumming.
Harrison Trio’s Separate Plans
The latest news from the musical Harrison family of Nedlands is that Ray Harrison, the elder brother of Jack and Jill, who are twins, has decided to finish up with his drumming work. This decision was made because of his marriage which took place on Saturday.
Jill is at present in Perth on holiday from the Adelaide Conservatorium of Music where for the past year she has been studying bassoon and piano under an Australian Broadcasting Commission scholarship. She is taking every advantage of the rest from studies, but is freelancing as a pianist for local dance bands.
Jack is settling into his new job as second clarinettist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Henry Krips. He left Perth about six weeks ago to take up the position and, as symphony work is a vast changeover from his previous dance band work, he is taking every opportunity to acquaint himself with orchestral work. It is believed that he may soon form a swing quartet for the A.B.C. in Adelaide. Already plans are in hand for him to lead a quintet in the Adelaide Jazz Jamboree next year. Although he is liking his new job, he says he hopes to return to Perth eventually.
The Broadcaster Saturday December 30 1950
At this time his day job was at JOSEPH LUCUS BATTERIES & ELECTRICAL, in Wellington Street, Perth
In 1952 Ray returned to play a few gigs in addition to his day job.
Jack’s jazz ensemble (now consisting of Jack, Jill, Ray, John Mowson (bass) and Cliff Adam (guitar) was broadcast nationally on the ABC’s Swing Club.
W.A. BAND ON NATIONAL HOOK-UP EARLY IN APRIL 1952
Thursday night Swing Club listeners in all States of the Commonwealth are to hear a broadcast by Jack Harrison’s Swing Quintette, one of Perth’s most outstanding modern style outfits. The group recently recorded a session for the Australian Broadcasting Commission, which is now due for an early airing.
This band is to some extent a family concern, with Jack himself, alto, tenor and clarinet; twin sister, Jill Harrison, piano; and Ray Harrison, drums. The remaining members of the group are one-time Brokensha bass man John Mowson and Cliff Adams guitar. Cliff is a well known Sydney musician and has played for many years at the Trocadero – the harbour city’s number one dance hall. In 1949 the family group won the “Battle of the Bands” in Perth and has been doing regular broadcast work since, in addition to its usual dance engagements. An interesting fact regarding Jack and Jill Harrison, and also John Mowson, is that they are still under twenty one years of age. In addition to this all three are members of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. The group’s manager is yet another member of “the family” – William E. Harrison. –(TOM STERNE).
Music Maker Magazine April 1952
Radio Broadcast May 17 1952
The A.B.C.’s Thursday Night Swing Club is almost a family affair for there are three members of the Harrison family in the Jack Harrison Swing Quintette. Twenty year old Jack is on the saxophone and clarinet, twin sister Jill is pianist and Ray is drummer. Other members are John Mowson (bass) and Cliff Adams (guitar). Jack has been associated with radio shows for 12 years having appeared as a mouth organist in an amateur hour in 1940. Jack and Jill have graduated through swing music to the W.A. Symphony Orchestra. John Mowson is also a permanent member of the orchestra and Cliff Adams is well-known in Sydney as a member of the Trocadero Band.
The Broadcaster Saturday May 17 1952 Vol. 19 No. 946
12th August 1952 was the 21st birthday party of Ray’s siblings Jack and Jill and Jack announced his engagement to Marcia Chayter.
PEOPLE YOU LISTEN TO
Since he was five, Jack Harrison has been associated with the musical world together with his twin sister Jill. Both recently celebrated their 21st birthday at a party which included many of the musicians. Jack and Jill are now members of the W.A. Symphony Orchestra playing the clarinet and bassoon respectively. He has won numerous prizes and at the age of eight won an Amateur Hour contest in Sydney. He worked in his father’s band until he decided to form his own which consisted usually of himself, Jill, elder brother Ray and guitarist Bill Hendrie. The Broadcaster Saturday August 16 1952
On 5th May 1953 Ramon and Norma Harrison had their first child, Jeffrey Wayne.
HARRISON: To Norma and Ray,
on May 5, at St. John’s. Subiaco-a son (Jeffery Wayne). Both well.
Around 1953 Ray switched jobs and worked for ELECTROLUX (which was next door to JOSEPH LUCUS BATTERIES & ELECTRICAL, Wellington Street, Perth) for 2 years.
Ray was a groomsman at Jack and Marcia’s wedding on 14th December 1953.
By 1954, the Ray Harrison family were living at 18 Hammersley St, Cottesloe, Western Australia and on 5th June 1955 had their second child, Julie Rae.
Ray went back to work with Joseph Lucus Batteries & Electrical for a couple of years until he got a better wage offer from Electrolux and returned to work for them until 1959.
1955
No. 5 Band – JACK HARRISON QUARTETTE
Numbers –
- “Rachel’s Dream”
- “The Man I Love”
- “K.P. Jumps”
PERSONNEL: Jack Harrison (Clarinet, Sax, Trombone), Jill Harrison (Piano), Ray Harrison (Drums), John Mowson (Bass).
Sunday, October 9, 1955 – JIM RILEY SHOW – Capitol Theatre
No. 4. – JACK HARRISON’S GROUP
Numbers –
“Thou Swell”
“Lullaby of Birdland”
“K.P. Capers”
PERSONNEL: Jack Harrison (Sax, Clari-Leader) Terry Ingram (Piano) Ray Harrison Drums, Alex McMillan (Bass).
1956
1st September 1956 the Jack Harrison Trio performed at the wedding of Ken Waldron to Diana Robinson.
1959
In 1959 a position became available at DUDLEY RICHARDSON USED CARS, in Wellington Street, repairing and painting cars where Ray stayed for three years making life long friends with Dudley and Barbara Richardson.
Ray still played at night with brother Jack and pianist, Jimmy Beeson, performing at hundres of weddings and parties.
On 7th March 1959 Jack Harrison’s Trio played at the wedding of Sara Macliver’s parents, her mother, Anne Bird, being a friend of the Harrison family.
ABW TO SCREEN BIRTHDAY SHOW
Thursday May 11 1961
By Keith Flanagan
ABW Channel 2 will tonight present its biggest live show yet, to celebrate its first birthday. There will be singers, dancers, a 25 piece orchestra and an invited audience of 200 for the two hour show.
Jock Millett will produce the cabaret style show in the Kirk Memorial Studio in the radio building – the biggest studio the A.B.C. has here. The record library will be taken over as a makeup room for the 44 people who will come before the cameras. Lighting in the studio will be equivalent to 1000 60 watt globes. Jim Fisher, Earl Reeve and Diana Ward will compere the show, to run from 8pm to 10.30pm, with a half hour break from 9 for the American documentary “Our Man in Space”.
Verdon Williams has formed a 25 piece orchestra for the show. Artists to appear are the Four Notes, Margot Robertson, Tony Federici, Carmen Arenas, Adriano Angelucci, Doris Dodd, Garry Smith and Derna Sluik, Jack Harrison, the Wrightsons, Lorna Sydney, Gerrard Sibbritt and Terri Charlesworth, Andre Tio, Peter Piccini and a demonstration ballroom group.
The West Australian Thursday May 11 1961
Ray on drums (he still does some playing) and twins Jack and Jill on clarinet and bassoon. At 16 the twins and Ray formed their own dance band. Playing for a Perth College dance, Jack met pretty Marcia Chayter and later married her. She is not a professional musician. She plays the piano usefully and enjoys singing in the chorus of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society as contentedly as Kimberley plays one hymn, arranged by his father, for his Sunday school.
John Mowson now Principal double bass player in the W.A. Symphony Orchestra came from Melbourne and married Jill Harrison the bassoon player nearly 3 years ago. John and Jill were invited to join the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on a tour which included the Commonwealth Arts Festival in England and in Asian countries. They left their two children with Jill’s parents. Two years later they were asked to join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for Expo 67 in Canada. There was then another little Mowson, so Penny, now eight, Peter showing musical promise at six and baby Paul were farmed out among the family. The family is scattered around Perth. Jack and Marcia Harrison have a delightful, modern, open-planned home at the end of the Dodonia Gardens City Beach with the coast down to Fremantle as picture in a picture window. The young have learnt to be quiet when music is going on in such a house, to listen with appreciation. But the whole family looks forward to having a music room so that making a noise when one wants to isn’t so important.
Daily News, Monday June 3 1968 page 10
MUSIC CAREER HAD EARLY START
7th April 1970 – Geraldton
Jack Harrison, principal clarinettist of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra which will be visiting Geraldton next Tuesday, got quite an early start in music when he was presented with a mouth organ on his fifth birthday. To everyone’s surprise he was playing simple tunes on it within the hour. His father, realising that here was musical talent, started him off on the piano but it was not until the age of 12 that Jack found his true instrument the clarinet. Intensive study of this and the saxophone enabled Jack and his twin sister Jill and brother Ray to form a dance band in 1947 thus launching him on a professional career in music at the age of 16. He admits to being influenced at this time by the clarinet playing of one of the all-time greats Artie Shaw. Two years later, Jack formed a small specialised recording group for the A.B.C. and “Jack Harrison and his Music” has been heard all over Australia. His thoughts now turned to symphonic work and he accepted the post of second clarinet in the South Australian Symphony Orchestra and shortly after returned to Perth in 1951 to occupy a similar position in the West Australian Orchestra playing alongside his teacher Alan Rule. Jack took over the principal chair in 1966 and in addition to the Orchestra’s concerts, his distinguished playing has been heard widely in chamber music and solo work both in radio and television as well as in public. One of the most versatile musicians in the Orchestra, he is as equally at home playing “Moon River” on the mouth organ as in coping with the extreme difficulties of Copland’s Clarinet Concerto. Jack is married with three children – Jay 14, Kim 10 and Jody six. If you press him, he will confess to a fondness for golf as a relaxation. Fortunately for the Arnold Palmers of this world he is nowhere near the golfer that he is a musician. His handicap is 23.
The Geraldton Guardian Wednesday April 1 1970
Around 1963, brother Bill Jnr purchased Coolbev Hire in Nicholson road, Subiaco and asked his brother Ramon to work for him, which Ray did for a couple of years. Ray’s job was to deliver the gear and products for hire and sale to functions, such as alcohol, party and catering supplies.
This property was at 176 Stirling highway on the corner of Rockton Road, Claremont, which consisted of a bank on the corner with vacant land behind on which he built two shops. Bill used one of these shops for his real estate office and offered the other to his brother Ramon to rent.
Ray started his own business and had 3 registered business names: U Hire, Stall & Shelter Hire Service and Cottesloe Hire Service. These hires services provided equipment for fetes and fairs and party hire equipment such as coloured lights, trestles and chairs etc. Ray ceased this business on 15th October 1965 after five years.
On the 12th June 1976, Julie Rae Harrison married John “Jack” Cecil Munday.
They had 3 children together: Ahna, (John) “Jack” and Michael.
On 28th January 1978, Jeffrey Wayne Harrison married Elaine Joan Brown.
Ray returned to Electrolux as Store Manager until he retired in August 1985 at the age of 56.
Ramon passed away at his home 15 Frome Way, Cooloongup, Western Australia 12th November 2023 aged 94.
Ramon’s son Jeff learnt drums from his Dad.
Julie Harrison is a passionate genealogist who continues to contribute to this website on an ongoing basis. She worked for the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB).
