by Bonnie Collings
For the Runciman, Nicholson and Lucas families, playing music together in the Warragul Municipal Band has always been a way of life.
George Runciman, his daughters Emma Nicholson and Sarah Lucas and his grandchildren, including granddaughters Cerys and Alana, are one of the many multi-generational families who have performed with the Warragul Municipal Band over its 140 year history.

The group said having the opportunity to play music together had been one of their most cherished experiences.
"When you hear these beautiful sounds coming out around you, and you know that your family's involved in that, I think for me, that's really worthwhile," George said. "It's really a nice feeling."
George started the family's musical endeavours in 1958, playing bass trombone with the Colac brass band at just 13-years-old.
"In those days to learn music, the brass band was a way of (doing it) because they provided you with an instrument and music and they encouraged young people to join like we do today," George said.
However, following an injury to his hand, George had to switch instruments.
"I fell off my bike and broke my thumb and I couldn't hold the trombone," he said. "My thumb is still probably not right now, but I then went on and started playing the E-flat bass, which is probably called the tuba now, and I've continued with that ever since."
George had to give up playing in a band for a time when he worked as a shift worker in the Latrobe Valley.
"It wasn't until the 1990s that my girls went to a band camp and they brought home a tuba," he said.
"They left it there and I started playing, and I've sort of been playing on and off since then - I couldn't resist."

The next generation of musicians, George's daughters Emma and Sarah grew up listening to a lot of brass band music and watching the Warragul Municipal Band perform.
"As kids, mum and dad used to take us along to the Warragul Municipal Band for all of their concerts and coffee melody nights," Emma said.
"Dad having an interest in brass said, we've got this A grade champion band in our community, so let's expose the kids to some really high-quality playing."
The family's love of music led to both Emma and Sarah studying at the Conservatorium of Music at Melbourne University before becoming involved with the band themselves.
"For me personally, I was looking for a way of getting involved in community music - I was in Melbourne quite a lot, but I was missing the music aspects in the local community," Emma said.
"I remember Sarah and I ringing up Bruce Armstrong one day and saying, right, Bruce, we're coming down, pick out some instruments for us and we'll take them home."
"I used to accompany some of the kids in their solos at different eisteddfods and championships," Sarah said. "I think it (joining the band) just sort of progressed from there, I got handed a euphonium and was told "you'll figure it out", and I did my best!"

Sarah said a highlight of performing with the band was having the chance to work collaboratively with many different people.
"I think overall, I really enjoy being part of the band because people from all different walks of life - people from different cultures, different ages, different playing abilities - they can all come in and they're all part of something that we all work together to achieve," Sarah said. "It's community music at its best."
For Emma, her biggest highlight was being appointe the band's education officer.
"Being asked to become the education officer and being able to use my skills and abilities to set up a program for the next generation was a real privilege," she said.
"It meant that I could pay it forward to the next generation. It's so important to do that, otherwise we lose those skills."
When Emma and Sarah had children, they said it was "a no brainer" to get them involved in music.
"Any opportunity to learn music, to play music is wonderful," Sarah said.

Emma's daughter Cerys and Sarah's daughter Alana have both been playing in the band for about two years.
Cerys said a highlight of being in the band was hanging out with her bandmates and listening to other types of music from different instruments.
Alana said having the opportunity to learn from other band members was a highlight for her.
Reflecting on his time spent in the band and performing with his family, George said it had been a special experience.
"It's good to see my children become interested in that sort of music and now I see my grandchildren here as well, that's even more special," he said.