April 2026 Meeting including viewing the First Fleet Piano
Twenty chapter members attended our April general meeting held, by way of a change, at The Shoe, a café in Yagan Square in the centre of Perth and adjacent to the newly opened Edith Cowan University.
After the general meeting an intriguing talk was given by Roger Elmitt on the subject of “When I went to Sea” and the demise of the Radio Officer. Then it was on to a convivial lunch at the same venue – part of the deal for hiring the room for the meeting! The food was of a high standard and the conversations stimulating.
Then, at 2pm, it was across the square to meet up with Vince Cargeeg with whom we had made arrangements for a tour of the West Australian Performance Academy’s (WAAPA) Piano Salon. There were about 25 instruments on display, dating from the 15th to 20th century, which are part of the 140 item historical keyboard collection and in particular the piano which came out on the First Fleet.
WAAPAs Nicholas Williams gave us a very comprehensive talk about each instrument – their type (Clavichord, Harpsichord, forte piano and Pianforte), status (original, renovated, replica), year built but best of all a sample playing of the music of the time ie Haydn, Mozart and Mendelsohn, on each instrument.
Much discussion was given about the “First Fleet piano”. It turns out that the experts cannot categorically state that the example shown is “the one” but with the balance of research it is reasonable to authenticate it as such.
A thoroughly enjoyable April meeting.
Twenty chapter members attended our April general meeting held, by way of a change, at The Shoe, a café in Yagan Square in the centre of Perth and adjacent to the newly opened Edith Cowan University.
After the general meeting an intriguing talk was given by Roger Elmitt on the subject of “When I went to Sea” and the demise of the Radio Officer. Then it was on to a convivial lunch at the same venue – part of the deal for hiring the room for the meeting! The food was of a high standard and the conversations stimulating.
Then, at 2pm, it was across the square to meet up with Vince Cargeeg with whom we had made arrangements for a tour of the West Australian Performance Academy’s (WAAPA) Piano Salon. There were about 25 instruments on display, dating from the 15th to 20th century, which are part of the 140 item historical keyboard collection and in particular the piano which came out on the First Fleet.
WAAPAs Nicholas Williams gave us a very comprehensive talk about each instrument – their type (Clavichord, Harpsichord, forte piano and Pianforte), status (original, renovated, replica), year built but best of all a sample playing of the music of the time ie Haydn, Mozart and Mendelsohn, on each instrument.
Much discussion was given about the “First Fleet piano”. It turns out that the experts cannot categorically state that the example shown is “the one” but with the balance of research it is reasonable to authenticate it as such.
A thoroughly enjoyable April meeting.
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AUSTRALIA DAY 2025 at BURSWOOD
First Fleet descendants celebrating along with the proud Aussies on the banks of the Swan River.
A few photos from some of the outings The Mint, Toodyay, Rockingham Museum, St Hildas, Whiteman Park Motor Museum