Townsville’s Band of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (or otherwise affectionately known as 1 RAR Band) supports all 3 Brigade units, other Defence organisations, and the wider community. The 1 RAR Band has become as iconic to Townsville as Castle Hill. Their presence throughout Far North Queensland provides musical support to a range of events from ceremonial duties, school concerts, and charity events. Granted the highest civic honour of Freedom of Entry to the City of Townsville on the 28th May 2022, recognises the Band’s tireless service to the Townsville community since its inception in 1945.
Performing in a variety of ensembles allows the 1 RAR Band to cater for a wide range of musical tastes. To ensure all performances are at the highest professional standard, 1 RAR Band members take on extra roles such as operating sound and lighting, arranging and composing music, and playing secondary instruments.
The 1 RAR Band remains an important and strategically valuable part of the ADF, and resides strongly in the hearts and minds of soldiers of 1 RAR, 3 Brigade, Veterans, the Townsville community, Far North Queensland, and those the Band have helped foster relationships with on overseas deployments.
1 RAR Band will lead the Grand Parade on Saturday, perform at the Gala Dinner on Saturday, and at the Dunny Derby on Friday.