The   PIPE  ORGAN   at  St  Margaret's

St. Margaret's parish Mildura is a member of the world-wide Anglican/Episcopal Communion. We were one of about 60 parishes in the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo. Bishop David Bowden became our leader in 1996 after a three year interregnum.
On 1 Jan 1998 the four former parishes in our district were incorporated into the Anglican Parish of Northern Mallee and our new Rector was Archdeacon Russell Smith, who died Saturday 6 May 2000. His staff were Canon Ron Wood who retired October 2000, Revd Warren Rumbold who became Priest in Charge at Robinvale Feb 1999, and Revd Angela Dutton who became Priest in Charge at Elmore 10 Aug 2001.

The Rt Revd David Bowden commissioned Archdeacon Colin Tett as Rector of the parish of Northern Mallee on Friday 12th January 2001. His staff are Revd Dale Barclay inducted as Priest Assistant on Sunday 21st January 2001 and Canon Robert Chittick inducted on 9 Oct 2001.

St Margaret's Pipe Organ
Our Organ was built by Stephen Laurie, of 'Laurie Pipe Organs Australia', run by GJ Laurie Pty Ltd, at 132 White St., Mordialloc, Victoria 3195.
Mr Laurie retired on 25 Dec 1998. In his valedictory letter he said that the business will be continuing under the name of Laurie Pipe Organs Pty Ltd, in the capable hands of Mr Richard Duncan, who has spent 19 years working with Mr Laurie.

The organ consists of three basic sets of pipes
1. The principal 8', Octave 4' and Super Octave 2' - 49 pipes
   These have the loudest and clearest sound.
2. The Stopped Diapason 8', Flute 4' and Flautino 2' - 49 pipes
   These have a full round flute sound.
3. Spitz Gamba 8', Spitz Octave 4' - 49 pipes
   These have a subdued slightly stringy sound.

The second stage occurs when the note key is released. The pressurised air in the windchest flows in to the magnet cavity and up into the diaphragm, re-inflating it and pushing the pipe valve against the pipe hole. The sound emerges, with the escaping air.

Trouble arises if a small speck of dirt may settle between the sprung valve and its brass ferule seating, allowing the air to escape and thus cause the diaphragm to collapse and the note to be 'stuck' on.

First problem - the pipes themselves should never be touched or they will almost certainly be put out of tune.
Second problem - finding which magnet has been invaded by our dirt speck. It is sometimes possible to identify the magnet by hearing or feeling the escaping air from the ferule. The distressed magnet is always directly beneath the offending pipe.
Third problem - removing the dust.
Careful - if the magnet cap is replaced the wrong way round the note will not work. Remove the magnet cap by turning the two brass clips and then blow through the brass ferule to dislodge the dirt. Check that the locking ring of the ferule is finger tight, and then replace the cap and close the clips.

Stephen was told in 1997 that bottom C of the Octave 4' was cyphering, that is, stuck on. He says 'from the above information, you will see that the magnet concerned is the end one on the left of the front row, when viewed from inside the organ loft'.

Packing instructions are very precise. It appears that the pipes were sent to Mr Laurie to be overhauled, and then Mr Laurie and his assistant returned with the pipes and spent days restoring them in position, re-regulating and fine-tuning, and inspecting the blower and console. We got a lot of service for the $2500 cost of the service.

Mr Laurie comments 'most of the pipes have their note written or stamped either halfway up the pipe, or at the back behind the mouth.' Jim was instructed to remove the pipes from the organ and pack them, wrapping each pipe in newspaper, and placing the heaviest pipes in the bottom of the dispatch box.

The following paragraph gives more details of the construction of the pipes. 'To save space the largest of the Diapason pipes could be telescoped. It is very important that the ears of the wrapped inner pipe are used to prevent it sliding right inside the outer one, and that the ears and mouth of the inner one are protected with several layers of newspaper to make a snug fit. Pipes without ears must not be telescoped but should be wrapped in pairs, end for end with mouths facing inwards and layers of paper between them. The very small pipes can be packed in groups of 4 or 6.'
Large pipes of 'Octave' can be inverted and telescoped thus:
D# into C; E into C#; up to B into G#
The pipes of Spitz Gamba 8' are tapered towards the top.
Middle C is about 2 ft 6ins long.
The last pipes to be packed are the Flute 4ft Bottom C, about 2'6" long,
then the pipes with canister tops.
Now that you have read this page to this point, join me in breathing a prayer for our organists who take so involved an instrument to produce such a lovely musical accompaniment for us.