Good Friday Celebrations in Victoria - 2002













The MQVB has been invited to travel to Melbourne (500 miles away) on a number of occassions in its 25 years of history, for the Feast of Our lady of Victories, the St. Paul's Feast, more recently the San Gaetanu Feast and at Easter time our band was also invited by The St. Albans Good Friday Association to participate in their Easter celebrations. The following is a brief report on one of these trips.
According to the Organisers, the Good Friday celebrations survived the most traumatic week in it's history as a bad storm hit the St. Albans area during the week and the Errington Community Center where the feast was held was also flooded.
The weather was typical of Melbourne, overcast and cold at night, but everything went as planned.
The Center in St. Albans was appropriately dressed just like the inside of a Church and the Service, the veneration of the Cross, Holy Communion and the preparation for the Procession were conducted by Rev. Father Dennis Carabott.
    Not one drop of rain and the Good Friday Procession went ahead as planned starting with a Fanfare by trumpet players from the participating bands, the St Albans Melita Band, the Maltese Own Band Band Philharmonic Society and our Maltese Queen of Victories Band. Some 6,000 people witnessed this spectacular and colourful  procession, there were 10 statues in all and with all the colourful biblical characters dressed for the occassion, it was a spectacle not to be missed annually at Easter time.
    Easter Saturday, still overcast,  was a free day, and after breakfast, our bus drivers, David and Matthew took us on a 4 hour tour on points of interest in Melbourne. In the evening we attended the Easter Social where the band 4 Aces and a Jack entertained. The highlight of the evening around 11.45pm was the statue of the Risen Lord which was brought into the Center.
    On Easter Sunday the skies opened up and after breakfast, the people staying at the Motel were taken to the Victoria Market or some visited to the Crown Casino. About 2.00pm the coach made it's way back to St. Albans for the Easter Mass, which was beautifully celebrated by Father Philip Gambin. After Mass there was the Procession with the statue of the Risen Lord (l-Irxoxt). Once again the St. Albans Melita Band and the Maltese Own Band accompanied the procession playing some great Maltese Marches. The Procession was brought to an end after the traditional run with the Statue by the bearers and then it was our band's turn to show our talent with a Musical Concert in front of a packed audience in the Errington Hall.

    The MQVB, under the direction of our new Co-Musical Directors Pasquale Carpinelli and Rosemary Andreacchio, rendered a superb performance to a very attentative and appreciative audience who gave the band a standing ovation. The highlight of the concert  were the introduction of the two newer pieces "Tequila" and "Hogan's Heroes " which were both recieved with much appreciation and applause. After the Concert most of the musicians from the three bands mingled and renewed friendships. Most of the youths partied with their friends from the St Albans Melita Band as they have done all weekend and the adults just chatted and drank a few ales reminiscing about the weekends events and of course the music.

   The weekend was a huge success and once again created enthusiasm, friendships, good times, but most of all, many saw a Maltese traditional style Good Friday Procession  just like they celebrate it in Malta.  They were three days of Celebrations, combined with prayers, devotions and indeed Social involvement, estimated that around 12,000 people attended the services, the processions and the Social events.
 
  The MQVB Committee, would like to thank the St Albans Good Friday Association  Committee for their kind invitation, in particular Mr. Lewis Stafrace. To Joe Cardona and the St. Albans Melita Band , Freddie Azzopardi and friends for looking after the accomodation and breakfasts to some of our band members. To both the St Albans Melita Band and the Maltese Own Band for their continued friendship. To David Camilleri and Matthew, our coach drivers,  to the Cosmopolitan Motel for the excellent service to our Musicians and the supporters who travelled with us.
  
Last but certainly not least, a very big thank you to all the MQVB Musicians and Musical Directors and the Committee for making the trip possible.
                                                                               
   
The St. Albans Melita Band Inc.
The Maltese Own Band Philharmonic Society
of Victoria Inc.
The Maltese Queen of Victories Band of SA Inc.
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