6 April 2021
 

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dandenong Band Life Member and “Band Mum” to many, Miriam Lydall.
 

Miriam served on the committee for 26 years from 1991 to 2017 and in 1995 was awarded Life Membership of Dandenong Band. In addition to this, her efforts were acknowledged by others when she was awarded the Victorian Bands’ League Badge of Merit in 2000. Miriam was an incredibly hard-working committee member and a loving “Band Mum” to so many in our organisation and beyond.
 

Miriam grew up in the Salvation Army playing tenor horn and baritone. Her father was both a Band Master and Salvation Army Officer. She left the Salvation Army in the mid to late 80's and together with her daughter Sharryn, came to Dandenong Junior Band. Around that time Miriam stopped playing and threw all her energy into Sharryn, passing on her love for music to her daughter. Sharryn went on to go to McKinnon High studying music and eventually left Dandenong to play with Box Hill and Hawthorn. Miriam on the other hand stayed at Dandenong Band serving tirelessly on the band committee ... loving being part of the Dandenong Band family.
 

To quote her daughter Sharryn, “Mum loved banding and loved the warm reception Dandenong Band give her. She used to drive me all over the country for music and came to love being a spectator as much as she used to love playing. In some ways we swapped chairs - I remember lovingly looking at her on stage every Sunday as a young child ... then we swapped spots!”
 

Our band is incredibly thankful to Miriam for all she gave to us and we offer our sincere condolence to Sharryn and her family during this difficult time.