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Citizenship back to Citizenship Band member receives Australia Day award - February 8, 2005 The award was given in recognition of his involvement with Toowoomba’s musical community beginning more than three decades ago. Mark joined the municipal band as a 13-year-old percussionist and has been a member ever since.
Mark has served on the band's management committee for 27 years and recently completed 26 years continuous service as the band's honorary secretary. In addition to the usual time consuming roles involved as secretary of any community organisation, Mark has also arrange and co-ordinated the logistical arrangements for travel, accommodation and meals for all of the band's playing commitments in southeast Queensland and its participation in over 40 various State and district competitions. With sometimes over 50 people to cater for this is a huge task.
As a player Mark has participated in every Carnival of Flowers procession, ANZAC Day commemorative service and mayoral carols by candlelight for the past 30 years. In addition to the Toowoomba Municipal Band, Mark has also played in the Toowoomba Choral Society and Toowoomba Philharmonic Society's productions during this same period.
Many of Toowoomba's schools, community and church groups benefit from Mark's willingness to offer assistance. No function a the Toowoomba Hospice, Australia Day celebrations, Toowoomba City Council Music in the Park activities would be complete without Mark's insistence that the municipal band performs, with Mark on percussion naturally.
Not only is he one of the region's leading percussionists, as exemplified by the many competition awards that he has received at various band contests, he has also given freely of his expertise and experience in training of new percussion students.
His community involvement also extends to the Drayton Community Hall Management Committee. During his time on this committee over $80,000 worth of improvements have been carried out to ensure that his facility is well maintained. Over $40,000 was spent in 2003 to improve the stage and overall acoustics of the hall, making it the preferred rehearsal center for several community musical groups. The awarding of several significant grants from the Queensland Gaming Commission and Jupitor's Casino Funds to enable work to be carried out has in no small part been due to Mark's time and effort in preparing very detailed and professional submissions.
All of this has been achieved as a volunteer. Well done Mark!
Caption: - Mark Nuss with this recent Australia Day award.
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