50 years of dedication acknowledged
Published on 12 December 2015
Leonard Krause has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to music in our region, being awarded the 2015 Elliott Award by the Mildura Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.
A stalwart of the music community, 2016 will mark Len’s 50th year of involvement with the Mildura District Brass Band as a musician, conductor, teacher and musical director during this time with the group.
Whether it has been through teaching music to students, playing in ensembles or conducting, he has provided enjoyment to the community through his gift of music. Len has continued to keep brass band music at the forefront, through his performances within the region. His ongoing commitment to teaching has also seen large numbers of students commence their musical careers under his direction.
In addition, to his involvement with the Mildura District Brass Band, Len has been member of various musical ensembles in Sunraysia including The All Stars who for 25 years entertained thousands of people at local functions where Len was the leading trombonist in the group. He has also played in dance bands and was ever willing to fill in for other groups if a member was unable to perform.
Chair of the Mildura Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, Jo Farrell said that Len was a worthy recipient of the prestigious Elliott Award, having shared his gift for music to the community for over 50 years.
“It is wonderful that Len continues to share his passion for music within our community, he still loves to perform and currently leads a group of musicians in Vintage Brass, who often perform at retirement villages and at community events.”
The Elliott Award was established in 2006 and recognises a person who has made a real difference to the arts locally and particularly focuses on previously unsung contributors. It is named after Senator R.D. Elliott, owner of the Elliott Newspaper Group and who bequeathed the founding art collection to Mildura Rural City Council.
Past recipients of the Award have been acknowledged for a wide range of reasons. From their length of service to the arts, the breadth of their contribution during their involvement in the arts, the encouragement and nurturing of children and youth in arts practice, the championing of arts involvement to the broader community, and the creation of a significant positive community legacy to the development of the arts in our region, all the past recipients have been dedicated to Arts and Culture in our region.
The Elliott Award was founded by the previous Mildura Arts and Culture Board and the Advisory Committee is committed to continuing this legacy acknowledging the passion and commitment of arts and culture within our community whose dedication and contributions may otherwise go unnoticed.
Previous Elliott Award winners:
Des Tobin (2006)
Tom McCullough (2007)
Vaughan Stirrat (2008)
Neil Noyce (2009)
Mollie Kalms (2010)
Shirley Bowie (2011)
Neil Fettling (2012)
Kay Sylvester (2013)
Peta-Lynne Buchanan and Janine Kerr (2014)
ENDS
Media enquiries
Angela Umback
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) angela.umback@mildura.vic.gov.au