Band crowned champions

Warragul Municipal Band has been crowned champions.
The band represented Warragul and the wider Gippsland community at the 2026 State Band Championships on August 16 at the Hawthorn Arts Centre.
In a spectacular return to the contest scene, the band was crowned champions for their set work and march, scoring 139 points from a possible 150. The D-grade Brass Band section also came second.The band's new musical director Cameron Sanders - after just three months in front of the band - was excited with the result.
"Thank you all so much for a such a fantastic journey to the Victorian State Band Championships. Thank you for believing in me and each other. You should all be feeling proud of such an outstanding result."
As part of the band's commitment to its CLEF (Community, Legacy, Education, Family) strategic pillars, each band member, both playing and non-playing members, takes performing in and representing the community seriously.
The Victorian State Band Championships are convened by the Victorian Bands League (VBL).
The organisation is responsible for supporting and overseeing brass and concert bands throughout Victoria, and the annual event brings together bands from across the state, to compete across multiple grades, with performances assessed by expert adjudicators.
There were 10 brass bands from across Victoria taking part in the D-grade Brass Band section.
Right: Warragul Municipal Band musical director Cameron Saunders with the D-grade Brass band trophy.