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Open Letter in response to the Removal of NSW State Government Support for the BANSW and our NSW Community Bands

 

The Band Association of NSW (BANSW) and its 110 affiliated community bands are deeply disappointed by the NSW Government’s recent decision to end funding support that has sustained and enriched our communities for over 45 years.

Through the Create NSW Community Band Development Grants, bands across the State have been able to:

  • Deliver free and accessible performances in towns and suburbs across NSW.
  • Commission new works from NSW and Australian composers.
  • Provide thousands of young musicians with education and mentorship.
  • Foster inclusive, intergenerational communities where music offers wellbeing, social connection, purpose, and a safe place of refuge.

This long-term support has built the largest community banding events in Australia, enabled live-streaming of our performances to global audiences, and nurtured future generations of professional musicians. This certainty of funding has allowed the BANSW to plan, expand and adjust our services to meet the needs of our ever-changing banding movement.

Importantly, it has all been achieved by volunteers who give countless hours of service to their communities.

Of particular concern:

  • Only 10 of the 153 Create NSW multi-year recipients are music-related, receiving just $2 million out of $31.4 million.
  • Not a single wholly volunteer-driven, grass-roots, or State-wide arts service organisation was funded.
  • This decision contradicts the NSW Government’s own policy commitment to “strengthen communities with music.”

Whilst we are sure the organisations that have secured funding are worthy, we strongly believe the decision to end support for the BANSW and Community Bands is a grave omission.

Despite the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Arts – Julia Finn MP at the NSW State Band Championships describing community bands as “special”, “vital,” “inclusive,” and “embedded in the daily life of towns and suburbs across NSW”, and the statements of appreciation, importance and value of the BANSW and our community bands made by the Executive Officer of Create NSW, our applications for both the 2-year and 4-year Multi-Year Funding Programs were rejected. Notification was received via an automated email on 27 August 2025, abruptly terminating a decades-long partnership between the NSW Government and BANSW.

How can organisations praised for their extraordinary contributions be simultaneously deemed unworthy of any support?

Whilst hundreds of millions are being directed to both community and professional sport infrastructure, grass-roots community music—which is accessible to all, regardless of age, ability, or background—is being left behind.

We call on the NSW Government and the Minister for the Arts John Graham to:

  1. Urgently review the decisions of Create NSW in relation to community music organisations.
  2. Meet with BANSW to ensure that grass-roots performing arts are not overlooked in future funding streams.
  3. Deliver on public commitments to support inclusive, volunteer-led organisations that provide proven social, cultural, and educational benefits across NSW.

“Community bands are not a luxury. They are the heartbeat of our suburbs, towns, and regions. and the BANSW and community bands are ambassadors to the power of music to uplift, unify and to inspire. They bring joy, learning, and belonging to thousands of people every week.” – Julia Finn MP 23 August 2025.

Without support, this proud tradition and its extraordinary contributions to NSW communities are at risk.

What can you do?

Further information about what you can do to help will be forwarded to all bands.

If you are not part of a BANSW member band and support our position, we urge you to contact:

Your involvement is crucial!

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