Air Force Band

03/09/2026

Air Force Band are performing at the Melbourne Wind Band Day TOMORROW at Carey Baptist Grammar School! 🎵

Saturday 5th September
1:00pm
Schools Concert ($10 pp)
Carey Baptist Grammar School Wind Symphony
Eltham High School Symphonic Band

3:00pm
Showcase Concert ($10 pp)
Royal Australian Air Force Band
MYRIAD Percussion Ensemble from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music

Please note if you are attending both concerts, you will need to purchase a ticket for each concert.

Tickets available at the link below ⬇️
https://events.humanitix.com/2026-wind-band-day-melbourne

02/09/2026

The early Air Force Bands were part time, voluntary, and made up of players drawn largely from the brass band community. You might notice that in this photo of the RAAF Band from 1940, there are only brass and percussion instruments.

Things began to change in 1952, when newly appointed Director of Music Laurence 'Laurie' Hicks set about establishing the first full-time RAAF Band. During his tenure, he recruited woodwind players in addition to brass and percussion, beginning a transition to the style of military bands active in the United Kingdom and United States.

31/08/2026

⭐ Meet the Musician Monthly Spotlight

Each month, we shine a light on one of our Air Force Band members, the people behind the music, the mission, and the moments that bring our performances to life.

🎵 Meet: AC Bruno Siketa
Instrument: Trumpet 🎺

AC Bruno Siketa arrived at Air Force Band last month following an intense 10 weeks of basic military training at 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU).

Prior to joining the Australian Defence Force, Bruno studied at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and built an extensive career as a performer and educator. He has performed with professional orchestras across Australia and internationally, including engagements in New Zealand and China, while also teaching in schools and through his private studio.

Since arriving at Air Force Band, Bruno has already performed with the Brass Quintet at the Shrine of Remembrance and with the Concert Band, and is looking forward to the varied musical opportunities that come with service life, including returning to 1RTU for a graduation parade.

Reflecting on his first month in the unit, Bruno says: "I'm looking forward to performing as a full-time musician across the Band's ensembles and embracing the variety of opportunities that come with the role. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive during my transition into the unit, from getting settled into Band life to navigating the administrative side of joining Defence. It's been a fantastic start, and I'm excited for what's ahead."

31/08/2026

This Saturday, Air Force Band are performing at the Melbourne Wind Band Day at Carey Baptist Grammar School! 🎵

Saturday 5th September
1:00pm
Schools Concert ($10 pp)
Carey Baptist Grammar School Wind Symphony
Eltham High School Symphonic Band

3:00pm
Showcase Concert ($10 pp)
Royal Australian Air Force Band
MYRIAD Percussion Ensemble from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music

Please note if you are attending both concerts, you will need to purchase a ticket for each concert.

Tickets available at the link below ⬇️
https://events.humanitix.com/2026-wind-band-day-melbourne

25/08/2026

Thank you, CPL Kate Rockstrom.

As Kate moves on to her career outside the Air Force, we would like to recognise the outstanding contribution she has made to Air Force Band.

Throughout her time with the Unit, Kate has been a passionate advocate for innovation and continuous improvement. Her initiatives have included the development of the Leadership Library and the digitisation of the historic ABC march cards, helping preserve an important piece of military music history. Explore the collection here: https://victoriancollections.net.au/organisations/royal-australian-air-force-band

Kate has also been a dedicated member of the Public Affairs team, the Flute Section and, more recently, the Operations Cell. No matter the role, she has consistently approached every task with professionalism, diligence and a commitment to supporting those around her.

While we will miss her contributions to the unit, we are grateful for the lasting impact she has had on Air Force Band and wish her every success in the future.

Thank you, Kate.

24/08/2026

This Friday 28th August, Air Force Band are participating in RAAF Base Tindal's Freedom of Entry parade in Katherine, NT! 🥁 ✈️

A Freedom of Entry is a ceremonial tradition with origins dating back centuries. In earlier times, cities were often protected by walls and local militias, and armed military forces were rarely permitted to enter. When permission was granted, it represented the trust and confidence of the community, as well as the pride of the military unit being honoured.

Today, a Freedom of Entry is a civic honour conferred by a municipal authority and reflects the pride of a local community in its long association with an Air Force Base or unit. The Freedom is traditionally exercised by marching through the city with swords drawn, drums beating, bands playing and colours flying. As part of the ceremony, the parade is formally challenged by a representative of the civil authority before being permitted to proceed.

24/08/2026

⭐ Meet the Musician Monthly Spotlight

Each month, we shine a light on one of our Air Force Band members, the people behind the music, the mission, and the moments that bring our performances to life.

🎵 Meet: AC Elijah Cornish

Instrument: Trombone

AC Cornish arrived at Air Force Band last month after an intense 10 weeks at 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU). Prior to joining the ADF, Elijah completed music performance studies at Monash University, the University of Melbourne, the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM), The Colburn School in the United States, and the University of Montreal in Canada.

Throughout his career, Elijah has performed with professional symphony orchestras across Australia and internationally, including in Canada, Malaysia, and the United States. Before returning to Australia to join the Royal Australian Air Force, he held the position of Second Trombone with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Québec in Montreal.

Joining Air Force Band, Elijah says: "I'm really looking forward to utilising the new skills I learned through my training to further enhance my musicianship and be part of an organisation that directly serves the interests of Australia. 1RTU pushed me further outside of my comfort zone than I had ever experienced, and being unable to access my instrument throughout training was a difficult and completely new challenge for me. The Band and the ADF overall have been extremely welcoming. I've enjoyed starting my new life in the Defence community and am excited by the variety of opportunities ahead."

20/08/2026

To run our unit effectively, Air Force Band members develop many skills beyond playing our instruments.

Our audio co-ordinator, Corporal Timothy Stocker, recently ran training sessions for junior members on the fundamentals of audio equipment, ending with a nail-biting cable-rolling competition.

Tim says: "At Air Force Band, technology plays a vital role in delivering high-quality music for live performances and recording projects. To stay at the top of our game, we invest in developing strong audio skills across the team.

Building a solid foundation in audio equipment training ensures everyone has the knowledge and confidence to contribute effectively—whether on stage or behind the scenes. It’s all about enhancing our capability, strengthening teamwork, and delivering exceptional sound every time."

20/08/2026

Today, Air Force Band is celebrating its 103rd birthday.

Marking a long-standing military tradition, the birthday cake was cut by the unit's oldest and youngest members, symbolising the passing of knowledge, experience and Air Force traditions from one generation to the next.

As we celebrate 103 years of service to Australia, we reflect on the people who have shaped our Air Force and those who continue to serve today.

Happy Birthday, Air Force Band!

19/08/2026