A third-generation Adventist brass bandmaster has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to music with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
The Australian Government conferred the OAM on Reynold Gilson as part of this year’s Australia Day celebrations. The Melbourne businessman has led the Advent Brass Band since 1987, following in the footsteps of his father, Bruce Gilson, and grandfather, William Gilson, who founded the band in 1925 with a view to fostering loyalty and musical purpose among the young people within the Victorian Conference.
Remarkably, 95 years later, Reynold Gilson has maintained the original purpose of the band, a community achievement recognised by the Federal Government of Australia.
Under Mr Gilson’s baton, the Advent Brass Band has performed in many parts of Australia and has won competitions at the highest levels. More significantly, the band openly admits that they primarily exist to present a picture of Jesus through music.
