Person

THORNTON, Donald

When Donald William Thornton was born on 6 April 1933 in Perth, Western Australia, his father, John, was 28 and his mother, Lilian Mary (nee Levy), was 33. He had one sister, Joan Lilian, who dated Jack Harrison for five years prior to Jack’s death in 2013.

1937

In 1937 Jack and Jill Harrison attended Nedlands State School with Donald Thornton and  Jill remembers having to play “English Country Gardens” on the piano – alternating with Donald Thornton – to assist the children march back to class after assembly.

1952

MUSIC AND THE THEATRE By “FIDELIO”

A musical entertainment is included in today’s closing programme for the Arts Festival at the University. Beginning at 7.30 p.m. in Winthrop Hall, John Dean and Donald Thornton will play one of Beethoven’s violin sonatas, the Madrigal Singers will present medieval songs and madrigals, and Mr. Thornton will play Ravel’s Sonatine.

West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 12 July 1952, page 15

1953

1953 ABC I&V finals

Next Thursday evening the finals of the A.B.C.‘s Concerto and Vocal Competition will take place at the Capitol. The contestants, with their chosen items, are as follows: Donald Thornton, pianist (first movement of Tschaikowsky concerto); Molly McGurk, soprano (air from “Louise”); Brenda Cullity, violinist (first movement of Beethoven concerto); Laurel Devine, pianist (Franck’s “Symphonic Variations”); Patricia Wyatt, soprano (Meyerbeer aria); Jack Harrison, clarinettist (movements from Weber concerto). The adjudicators will be the A.B.C.’s Director of Music (Mr. W. G. James) and Mr. H. Portnoj. 

The West Australian Saturday 2 May 1953 page 20

Finalists Will Be Selected

The State finalists in the Concerto-Vocal Competition will be selected tomorrow when the State semi-finalists are called for re-audition. The finalists will appear with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in the Concerto Vocal Concert to be held on May 7. The semi-finalists are: Pianists. Laurel May Devine, Donald William Thornton, Sheila Hines and Angela Travia: violinists, Brenda Cullity and Barbara Tyler; clarinet, Jack Harrison: sopranos, Patricia Wyatt, Lynette Howieson, Beth Banks and Molly McGurk, mezzo-soprano. Vella Timewell; baritone, John Little and bass-baritone, Douglas Glendinning. 

The West Australian Friday 10 April 1953 page 6

ABC FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

For MAY 7 1953

THE Australian Broadcasting Commission today announced the State finalists in its 1953 concerto and vocal competition. The six finalists are: Sopranos; Patricia Wyatt and Mollie McGurk. Pianists: Laurel Devine and Donald Thornton. Violinist: Brenda Cullity, Clarinet: Jack Harrison.

An ABC spokesman said that the finalists would be heard at a youth concert in the Capitol on May 7, with the State Symphony orchestra. They will compete in the Australian final in Melbourne in July. 

The Daily News Saturday 11 April 1953 page 3

ABC STATE FINALISTS

State finalists in the ABC Concerto and Vocal competition for 1953 are:

Sopranos: Molly McGurk, Patricia Wyatt.

Pianists: Laurel Devine, Donald Thornton.

Violinist: Brenda Cullity.

Clarinet: Jack Harrison. They will take part in the finals on May 7 when they appear with the State Symphony orchestra in the Capitol. 

Sunday Times Sunday 12 April 1953 page 8

Winners In Music Test Are Chosen (By “Fidelio.”)

Donald Thornton, a 20-year old science student at the University of Western Australia, won first place in the instrumental section of the A.B.C.’s concerto and vocal finals at the Capitol last night. It was his first appearance in these competitions. He played the opening movement of the Tschaikovsky No. 1 Piano Concerto and pleased the judges (and others) with his “musical approach” to a work which, as the A.B.C’s Director of Music (Mr. W. G. James) said, is so often “banged out from end to end.” In the vocal section, Molly McGurk, who sang the well-known soprano air from “Louise,” was named the winner, thereby achieving a feat probably without precedent here. For hitherto Miss McGurk has figured in the list of finalists – three times – as pianist. Her win last night, which was her first, comes at her first attempt as vocalist.

The remaining contestants were Brenda Cullity, violinist (second time in these concerts); Laurel Devine, pianist, and Patricia Wyatt, soprano, both newcomers; and Jack Harrison, clarinettist, who for the third time had gained a place in the finals. High Standard The adjudication was in the hands of Mr. James, Mr. Henry Portnoj, and the W.A. Symphony Orchestra’s conductor, Mr. Pekarek. Mr. James introduced Mr. Portnoj as a musician from Vienna, now settled in Melbourne, and formerly closely associated with the Vienna State Opera. Mr. James said that the all-round standard was high, and he gave well deserved praise to Mr. Pekarek for his sympathetic help to the competitors by way of the orchestral accompanying. Hitherto the “grand finalists” from the several States, chosen to appear in Sydney, have been selected from the State winners. Mr. James said this had been changed. From now on, the eight to appear in Sydney will be selected from the finalists in the States, that is, they will not necessarily be the winners in the States. So far this year, finalists have been heard only in W.A. After the Hobart adjudication, on June 6, when all State finals will have been completed, the choice of winners to go to Sydney will be made. As usual at these events, there was a very large audience last night.

West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Friday 8 May 1953, page 8

BOY VIOLINIST GETS HIGH PRAISE

“Yours is talent that you only get once in a generation and Perth has every reason to be proud of it,” said Mr. James A. Steele, the adjudicator for the Musical Festival, when awarding nine-year-old Geoffrey Michaels second place in the open violin solo section last night. Norman Bourke, who gained one point more than Michaels, was first. Miss Lynette Howieson won the ladies open championship solo with 90 points, Miss Margaret Jones being second with 89 points. Mr. Steele told the winner: “You have caught the mood of the song excellently and have given as good coloratura work as we would get from any professional singer. Of the final of the men’s champion solo, Mr. Steele said that the winner, Mr. Douglas Glendinning had a fine voice with great possibilities.

Mr. Neil Garland was second. Other results were: Girls’ High School Choir: Coolgardie High School, 1; Perth Girls’ School Choir. 2. Final Soprano Solo: Miss Margery Walwyn, 1; Miss Alice Plant. 2. Final Baritone Solo: Mr. Gordon Freeman. 1; Mr. Vernon Wardrop. 2. Final Contralto Solo: Miss Irene Gilligan, 1; Miss Millicent Evans, 2. Final Open Piano Solo: Mr. Donald Thornton. 1; Miss Angela Travia and Miss Dawn Baldwin. 2.

West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 11 July 1953, page 15

At the Kylie Club’s meeting today Donald Thornton (pianist) and Margaret Jones (soprano) will be heard. Also, Henry Cuthbertson and Ella Fry will present a Poulenc work for speaking voice and piano.

West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 1 August 1953, page 31

University Prize Winners Named

The following prize winners for 1953 have been announced by the University of W.A.

FACULTY OF ARTS. Amy Jane Best prize in English literature: HILAIRE DALY SMITH. Convocation prize: JULIUS S. KOVESI. H. L. Fowler Prize in psychology: MARY E. SMITH. Lady Hackett Moulden prize for Latin I: SISINIA D. ATTISANO. Jane and Annie Nisbet memorial prize in French: ELIZABETH A. McBRIDE. Benjamin Rosenstamm prize in economics: NORMAN F. DUFTY. John R. Saunders prize in philosophy: JAMES K. WALSH. Bertha Elvina Shillington prize in history: JOHN R. ROBERTSON. The Thompson Classical prize: PATRICK McGUSHIN. Arthur Lovekin prize in Journalism: J. L. G. MARSHALL. LAW. Convocation prize for Law: JAMES K. WALSH. John Norman Barker prise for Law: ANTHONY L. VINCENT. Frank Edward Parsons memorial Prize for law: GEOFFREY A. KENNEDY. H. C. F. Keall prize for law: GEOFFREY A. KENNEDY. J. A. Wood memorial prize: GEOFFREY KENNEDY.EDUCATION. EDUCATION. Bertha Houghton prize in Education IV: IAN R. HOOKER. Convocation prize: JUDITH A. GRIGG. MEDICINE. Burroughs Wellcome prize in medicine: COLIN L. MATHEWS. Roy Le Page Muecke memorial prize in medicine: COLIN L. MATHEWS. Elsie Louise Simpson prize for medicine: COLIN L. MATHEWS. John and Louisa Cowcher memorial prize for medical students: ERIC EZEKIEL. SCIENCE. Convocation prize: CEDRIC J. POWELL. Lady James prizes in science: Chemistry I: MICHAEL W. FULLER. Physics I: KENNETH J. G. Mc-NAUGHTON. Physical Science: JOHN G. COLLINS and DONALD W. THORNTON equal. Natural science: LORNA W. BYASS. Science Union prize for Geology I: JOHN O. KAY. Science Union prize for Zoology I: ROBERT T. LANGE. Wilsmore prize in chemistry: DONALD W. THORNTON. Blackall prize in botany: ROBERT T. LANGE. ENGINEERING. Convocation prize: GEORGE E. J. SAYER and EDWARD C. WELLS, equal. G. M. Nunn prizes in surveying: Surveying I: ERNEST P. EVANS: Surveying II., COLIN O. SIMPSON. I.S.A.S. scholarship: THOMAS H. CAIRNES. DENTAL SCIENCE. Dr. F. Simpson prize in dental science: SAMUEL K. ATLAS.

West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 19 December 1953, page 12

1954

Semi-Finalists Chosen For A.B.C. Contest

The semi-finalists in the A.B.C. vocal and concerto com-petition were announced last night. From these the finalists will be selected this morning. They are: Pianists: Donald Thornton, Josephine McKimmie, Jan Williams, Laurel Devine, Sheila Hines. Violinists: Robert Ingram, Barbara Tyler, Brenda Cullity. Vocalists: Jan Conochie, baritone; Molly McGurk, soprano; Patricia Wyatt, soprano; Sylvia Calcei, soprano; John Browne, bass baritone; Peggy Stuart, soprano; Jeanette Earle, soprano; David Dunwoodie, baritone.

West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 19 June 1954, page 12

Scooped the Pool – W.A. MUSICIANS’ SUCCESS

Sydney, Aug. 17.—Two West Australian musicians who scooped the pool in the final round of the A.B.C. vocal and concerto competitions last night said that they did not want to win “We only wanted honourable mentions,” they said. The two—Donald Thornton, pianist, and Patricia Wyatt, soprano—are both 21 and for the next four years could have entered the A.B.C competition. “Now we have won it seems that we cannot enter any more,” Miss Wyatt said. “We can only go back-stage and wish competitors the best of luck.” Mr Thornton won the instrumental section. He played Rachmaninov’s “Paganini Rhapsody” with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Miss Wyatt, who sang the “Bell Song” from Delibes’ “Lakme,” won the vocal section. Nine young musicians took part in the final concert. The adjudicator was the noted European conductor, Walter Susskind, and the orchestra was conducted by Eugene Goosens.

Kalgoorlie Miner (WA : 1895 – 1954), Wednesday 18 August 1954, page 8

Brilliant Soprano And Pianist In Collie Tomorrow Night

Patricia Wyatt, soprano and Donald Thornton, pianist, the winner of the A.B.C. Vocal Concerto competition for 1954 are to give a concert in the Mineworker’s Institute tomorrow night. These two young artists are both West Australian born, and are both 21 years of age.

Mr. Thornton is now a pupil of the well-known West Australian pianist Stephen Dornan, and has been learning the piano for 11 years. For the first eight years he studied with Miss Agnes Hill. Mr. Thornton first came into prominence when he won the open piano section of the W.A. Music Festival, also the state final of the Concerto Competition. In Sydney where he won the Commonwealth final this year, he received high praise from the adjudicator, the famous conductor Walter Susskind. Mr. Thornton is a student at the University of Western Australia where he is at present doing honours in physical chemistry.

Collie Mail (WA : 1908 – 1966), Thursday 23 September 1954, page 15

CONCERT AT COLLIE WAS A SUCCESS (From P.K.)

Patricia Wyatt and Donald Thornton, the two winners of the Vocal and Concerto Competition last night at Collie, gave their first concert performance since their win. John Browne, the State finalist in the competition, was associate artist. The The youthful appeal of the three, as well as their promising work made the concert an undoubted success which will, it is hoped, encourage the Adult Education Board to arrange other programmes like this. The audience, although not large, was unusually warm, and recalled the artists several times for encores. Don Thorton with his purposeful style of piano playing, clean technique and good sense of colour and rhythm, was best in his group of “moderns”–Shostakovich and de Falla. Patricia Wyatt’s work, more finished perhaps than the other two, was artistic and technically facile. The accompanist was Flora Bunning. Incidentally the modern Collie hall has fine acoustics and is of an admirable size for a recital of this kind.

West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Saturday 25 September 1954, page 4

CHRISTMAS SOCIAL:

About 200 people attended the annual Christmas social of the Australian Broadcasting Commission Youth Concert Committee held at the A.B.C. last night. The picture shows some of the guests gathered around a piano listening to Mr. Donald Thornton play.

 

They are (from left), Misses Noelle Willcock, of North Perth, Daphne Smith, of Nedlands, Betty Boulton, of Dalkeith and Betty Hill, of Mt. Hawthorn.

West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Friday 10 December 1954, page 22

1955

21 year-old Western Australian pianist Donald Thornton, who is to be soloist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Joseph Post at the opening concert of the ABCs 1955 International Celebrity Concert series at Canberra on Monday, February 28, mixes successfully a life of music and science.  Last month Thornton completed an honours degree in physical chemistry. Beginning his piano studies at the age of 10, Donald Thornton gained his A.Mus.A. at the age of 15 and subsequently won honours in every examination of the AMEB for which he sat. In 1952 Thornton, with soloist at the Western Australian University Arts Festival, was a state winner of the 1953 ABC Concerto and Vocal competitions and in the same year won the piano section of the W.A. music festival conducted by the Music Teachers Association of WA. Last year, after taking the State Concerto title, he went on to selection as Commonwealth winner of the ABC competition. Thornton’s academic life has been just a spectacular. He started a science course at the University of Western Australia in 1951, majoring in chemistry. He completed the degree in 1953 and was so successful that he topped final year chemistry and final year physical science, for both of which he was awarded endowment prizes. An Honours year followed in 1954, and his thesis and research findings were submitted just before leaving Western Australia for this Tour.

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Saturday 19 February 1955, page 2

Paul To Conduct Orchestra

The illness of Joseph Post has necessitated a change in conductors for the A.B.C, Celebrity Concert on Monday night at the Capitol Theatre. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will now be conducted by Tibor Paul. The main work for the programme has been changed from Symphony No, 2 by Sibelius to. Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. Donald Thornton, winner of the 1954 A.B.C. vocal and concerto competition, will be soloist in the Symphonic Variations for Piano and Orchestra by Cesar Franck.

Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995), Saturday 26 February 1955, page 2

1979

Way 1979 Eisteddfod: Eileen Joyce signature with Donald Thornton

Donald died on 4 May 2011 in Perth at the age of 78.

https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/donald-william-thornton-bequest-scholarship

Instruments

Years

Person

HENDRIE, Bill

1937

Community Singing

An enjoyable evening was spent on last Thursday evening, when the community concerts again resumed after a month’s recess. Mr. Abel again wielded the baton and music was provided by Mrs. Manea, Mr. Allen and  Mr. Rasmussen. Items were rendered by Barbara Lee (song , and dance), Messrs. Jefferis (songs), Bill Hendrie (mouth organ and ukelele). Rasmussen (song and guitar) and a duet by Bill Hendrie and Vic Rasmussen.

Albany Advertiser (WA : 1897 – 1965), Thursday 23 December 1937, page 4

1942

COMMUNITY CONCERT AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS.

For the first time within our recollection, people were turned away from the Narrogin Town Hall last Tuesday, despite the fact that extra seats were packed to within a few feet of the stage. The occasion was the Community Concert presented by the men of the 109 Convalescent Camp. The Concert proved thoroughly enjoyable to the huge crowd from start to finish, and those present were no doubt surprised at the unexpected number of talented artists convalescing in our midst. d A seven-piece swing bend dispensed delightful music, and the various artists thoroughly deserved the prolonged applause which followed practically every item. The versatility of one artist in particular—Bill Hendrie—was the subject of quite a lot of comment. This young man accompanied practically every artist on his guitar throughout the night, was a member of the band, was encored three times in his imitation of George Formby, gave two difficult and delightful renderings on the mouth organ, and caused amusement in one of the final numbers by the band when he brought a cello on to the stage and plucked this to some purpose. It would take too much space to give full commendation to each individual artist. Suffice it to say that they all gave very creditable performances, and we hope to see more of them in the near future.

Narrogin Observer (WA : 1918 – 1955), Saturday 7 November 1942, page 1

1948

W.A. Pianist Impresses Sydney’s Rhythm Fans

Although only a few months have elapsed since youthful, unassuming WA pianist Ray Hartley left Perth to try his luck in Sydney musical circles, already he has rocketed towards success as an ivory-tickler and arranger.

Last Friday the ‘Ray Hartley Trio and Joanne,’ in association with famous orchestra leader Eric Tann, created a sensation in a concert at the Sydney Town Hall. Tann is so impressed with Hartley’s ability that he intends to take him to Eng-land when he returns next year. Ray Hartley hails from Kellerberrin, and the vocalist in his trio, Joan Robinson, is also a Perth girl, formerly Joan Hill. Other Hartley Trio members are Don Andrews (guitar), late of Fred Hartley’s Quintet, and Reg Robinson (bass), Reg uses a 5-string bass, which gives him an average of 16 notes above middle C. Trio has broadcasted over the ABC and station 2CH, and at present they are rehearsing for a recording session at Columbia studio at Homebush, Sydney. When Ray Hartley first went to the Eastern States,

he studied under Perth pianist Jim Riley, who is now at the Trocadero. He carried with him a let-ter of introduction from local band leader Sammy Sharpe to Eric Tann, and after an audition was taken into Tann’s band at Romano’s. Original Hartley trio will be remembered by Perth swing fans for their radio work and success at the last Jazz Jam-boree at the Capital Theatre. Other members of the old outfit are well-known Perth rhythm men Ralph Filmer and Bill Hendrie. In preparation for his forthcoming trip overseas, Ray Hartley is at the moment studying at the Sydney Conservatorium.

SYDNEY PICTURE of Perth pianist Ray Hartley and his band which is doing well in that city. From left: Ray, Don Andrews (guitarist), Joan Robinson (vocalist, formerly Joan Hill of Perth) and Reg Robinson (bass player).

Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 9 October 1948, page 15

1948 Jack Harrison Quintet with Ralph Filmer and Hendrie

Jack Harrison’s New Role  Jack Harrison, a mouth organist, has broadcast from every capital city in the Commonwealth and is well known to listeners in this State.  He will be shortly heard from the National stations in an entirely new role – as leader of his own swing quartette.  He will use mainly the alto sax and clarinet, but for variation will sometimes express himself with the tenor sax or the harmonica. At the age of 16, Jack is considered Australia’s youngest dance band leader.  Other members of the quartette are Bill Hendrie (guitar), Jack Harrison’s sister Jill (pianist with a modern trend) and brother Ray (drummer).  They are both well known to Perth dancers.  Bill Hendrie is a local boy who has spent some time in the Eastern states and has been associated musically with Jim Davidson, Reg Lewis and other well-known band leaders.  Bill is considered to be among Australia’s best guitarists and an expert on modern harmony. The quartette intends to present modern arrangements of old and new tunes in such a manner as to appeal both to teenagers and listeners of more mature years.  The Broadcaster Saturday March 20 1948 Vol 14, No 729

Big Jazz Jamboree Mystery

Perth’s hep-cats are properly mystified. No one will tell them the identity of a mystery band which will play at the big jazz jamboree at the Capitol on

Sunday night, Oct. 31.   Anyone who solves this Top Swing Secret gets a prize— 6 swing records, no less! Eight bands will play, led by Merv Rowston, Jackie Harrison, Chris Gosper, Ken Murdoch, Sammy Sharp, Ron Jenkins, Bill Kirkham and Harry Bluck. The Mirror Saturday 23 October 1948 page 4

According to The Broadcaster Saturday November 6 1948 Vol 15. No 762, “The mystery band of the evening, a two piece unit consisting of Bill Hendrie on the guitar and Ralph Filmer on the bass gave an unusual rendition of “Waltzing Matilda””.

Rhythmettes

Mirth and Music – ARTISTS

Members of Dave Howard’s Mirth and Music Show met last week and extended best wishes to Miss Betty Bahen, one of its members, prior to her marriage to Mr. Geoff Hammond.  On behalf of the troupe, Miss Nell Shortland-Jones presented Miss Bahen with a wedding gift.  Those present were Miss Betty Whittaker, Miss Olwyn Thomas, Miss Rhoda Allen, Miss Sylvia Caporn, Mr. Ernest Paulasto, Mr. Fred Paulasto, Mr. Albert Chappelle, Mr. Harry Bluck, Mr. Dave Howard, Mr. Geoff Wilbur, Mr. Ralph Filmer, Mr. Bill Hendrie, Mr. Harold Malcolm, Mr. James Congdon, Mr. Jack Harrison, Mr. Billy Edwards and Mr. Harry Graham.

Western Mail Thursday 9 December 1948 page 37

1949

Jack 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), G. Kirkby, Jack Pope (trumpet), George Franklin (trumpet), C. Thompson, Bill Hendrie (guitar), N. Coates, Ray Harrison (drums), Jill Harrison (piano) and Jack was the tenth band member.

Jack Harrison Dance Band Winthrop Hall

GRADUATION BALL

8.30pm – 2am

April 22 1949 Winthrop Hall, University

In Aid of World Student relief

ADMISSION Double Ticket 24/7 (inc tax.)

Jack Harrison’s Ten Piece Orchestra – bookings at Nicholsons

 

AROUND PERTH – WITH HARRY BLUCK

Ball Season Starts Rolling in Perth

Heavy Bookings as Biz Booms

The annual outcrop of balls generally makes its presence felt about this time of the year and already some of the earliest have taken place.  This season promises to be a busier one than previously and some large-sized bands should be seen on the various stands. Already, youthful Jack Harrison has made a good start by fronting a 10 piece outfit at the University Graduation Ball, and from all accounts the ultimate sound of the band justified the Harrison judgement in selecting good players as his support.

Music Maker and Dance Band News May 1949

5 MAY 1949

JACK HARRISON Cheque to:

Norm Wrightson       Grad Ball       £3/2/6

  1. Kirkby Grad Ball       £3/2/6
  2. Pope Grad Ball       £3/2/6
  3. Franklin Grad Ball       £3/2/6
  4. Thompson Grad Ball £3/2/6
  5. Hendrie Grad Ball       £3/2/6
  6. Coates Grad Ball       £3/2/6

Ray Harrison             Grad Ball       £3/2/6

Jill Harrison               Grad Ball       £3/2/6

 

(photo) The Rhythmettes: A combination regularly featured in “Mirth and Music” from 6WF on Tuesday nights.  Left to right: Harry Bluck (leader, piano accordionist and arranger), Jack Harrison (clarinet), Sylvia Caporn (pianist), Ralph Filmer (bass), George Hay (guitar) and Bill Hendrie (guitar). 

The Broadcaster Saturday July 2 1949 Vol. 16. No. 796

 

6WF SWING SHOW

Revolutionising Radio History in this state, WF turned on a half hour session in which four local bands were featured.  They were as follows

The W.A. JAZZ GROUP

JACK HARRISON QUARTET

A.B.C. RHYTHMETTES.  

Tempo The Australian Musical News Magazine July 1949 Vol. 12 No. 10

 

4 JULY 1949

JACK Cheque to:                Jack Pope                 Womens College      £5/3

Colin Youlden           Womens College      £2/11/8

Bill Kirkham               Womens College      £2/11/8

Charlie Thompson   Womens College      £2/11/8

George Franklin       Womens College      £2/11/8

Bill Hendrie                Womens College      £2/11/8

Roy Coates               Womens College      £2/11/8

 

 

16 JULY 1949

JACK Cheque to:                Ray Harrison             Wages                        £5/14

Jill Harrison               Wages                        £5/14

Bill Hendrie                Comm. Bank             £1/14

 

29 JULY 1949

JACK Cheque to:                Ray Harrison             Wages                        £5/08

Jill Harrison               Wages                        £1/18/8

 

13 AUGUST 1949

JACK Cheque to:                Ray Harrison             Wages                        £7/2/3

 

21 AUGUST 1949

JACK Cheque to:                Bill Hendrie                University                  £3/1

 

1950

Molly’s People and Parties

SPOTTED attractive young men-about-town Bill Hendry and Laurie Malulich in deep discussion which looked like going on for hours. Laurie is an ardent collector of futuristic discs of the ‘Bop’ idiom. Bill is still leading his ”Day Dreamers’ ensemble on the National network. By the way, old pal Arthur Murray is still doing the vocals on Bill’s session — and singing better than ever.

Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 29 April 1950, page 12

 

 

Monday 7th August 1950

Jack: Cheque to:                 Bill Hendrie    C.G.C             £3/8/6

 

PEOPLE YOU LISTEN TO

(photo) Admiring the engagement ring of Marcia Harrison (left) are fiancé Jack Harrison and twin sister Jill at a party held at the Nedlands Tennis Club to celebrate their coming of age.

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.

Jack has played in A.B.C. shows and at the present time has a session in which his quintet plays light classical music.  He was for a while in the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and studied the clarinet under the late Percy Newton (brother of John Nugent Hayward), Alan rule and Clive Amadio.  At the party Jack’s engagement to A.B.C. typist Marcia Chayter was announced. 

The Broadcaster Saturday August 16 1952

 

 

Instruments

Years