Growing up in the rugged isolation of Tasmania’s West Coast, meant very little access to sport, religion, music or any other cultural activities for my seven siblings and I in the early 1950’s.
Music on our battery radio was predominantly Military marches and singers like Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields, Slim Whitman and Ausie icon Slim Dusty who wrote, “When the rain tumbles down in July”, in 1946.
The annual dance music was played on a rarely tuned piano, accompanied by a piano accordion, while our home had only Dan’s nose whistle and harmonica for entertainment.
Imagine my excitement when I rushed in to tell my mother about the sponsored violinist who had visited my Grade 3 class.
“It was like magic!” I told her.
“The man made his violin laugh or cry and make beautiful music like you have never heard.”
Admiration for this wonderful instrument was never to leave me and had huge influence in my journey toward loving classical music.
Therefore, some 60 years later, I was intrigued by an obviously very old violin in a Benalla auction. I wondered if my meagre finances could stretch to buy it.
Sadly, the bidding soon narrowed to two people. One a well-built workman in Blundstone boots, navy singlet and shorts, the other hidden behind the crowd.
The Auctioneer soon knocked the violin down, for the sum of $184, as the crowd jostled towards the next time.
Suddenly, a joyous bellow reverberated around the yard. “Hallelujha …… Hallelujha ……. Hallelujha!” As one, eyes swivelled toward the violin where a slight elderly man of European appearance, his arms in an ecstatic stretch towards the heavens, chanted “Oh Thank You, Thank You God!” Raising notes that were clutched in his fist he exclaimed “I will pay you now, I would have given you all of this!”
Meanwhile, the workman burst back through the throng to shake his hand. “Congratulations Old Fella,” he said, “I didn’t know it meant so much to you, I just liked it.”
Spontaneously, the crowd gave a rousing ovation. Returning to the auction, their delighted smiles were truly something to behold.
As always, life rolls on.
On February 25th, 2026, amidst the horror of numerous wars, economic stress and fear, ABC’s National News introduced viewers to a very rare 416 year old Viola. Purchased by the Australian Concert Orchestra’s ‘Unique Instrument Fund’, the Viola will be in the company of 450-year-old Double Bass and 2 Stradivarius Violins. Principal Viola, Stefanie Farrands, had been searching the world for five years before finding this fine tenor Viola in New York.
Created by luthier*, Giovanni Paolo Maggini, the purchase price of this beautiful Italian Viola was over 3 million dollars.
Reflecting on this story gives me pause to ask,
“Well, Benalla, do some of you remember that auction? Do you suppose that somewhere in our midst, perhaps we have a hidden Stradivarius?”
Jan Pyers
March 2026
* A luthier is a skilled craftsperson who builds, repairs, and restores stringed musical instruments, such as guitars, violins, cellos, and lutes.
Music on our battery radio was predominantly Military marches and singers like Vera Lynn, Gracie Fields, Slim Whitman and Ausie icon Slim Dusty who wrote, “When the rain tumbles down in July”, in 1946.
The annual dance music was played on a rarely tuned piano, accompanied by a piano accordion, while our home had only Dan’s nose whistle and harmonica for entertainment.
Imagine my excitement when I rushed in to tell my mother about the sponsored violinist who had visited my Grade 3 class.
“It was like magic!” I told her.
“The man made his violin laugh or cry and make beautiful music like you have never heard.”
Admiration for this wonderful instrument was never to leave me and had huge influence in my journey toward loving classical music.
Therefore, some 60 years later, I was intrigued by an obviously very old violin in a Benalla auction. I wondered if my meagre finances could stretch to buy it.
Sadly, the bidding soon narrowed to two people. One a well-built workman in Blundstone boots, navy singlet and shorts, the other hidden behind the crowd.
The Auctioneer soon knocked the violin down, for the sum of $184, as the crowd jostled towards the next time.
Suddenly, a joyous bellow reverberated around the yard. “Hallelujha …… Hallelujha ……. Hallelujha!” As one, eyes swivelled toward the violin where a slight elderly man of European appearance, his arms in an ecstatic stretch towards the heavens, chanted “Oh Thank You, Thank You God!” Raising notes that were clutched in his fist he exclaimed “I will pay you now, I would have given you all of this!”
Meanwhile, the workman burst back through the throng to shake his hand. “Congratulations Old Fella,” he said, “I didn’t know it meant so much to you, I just liked it.”
Spontaneously, the crowd gave a rousing ovation. Returning to the auction, their delighted smiles were truly something to behold.
As always, life rolls on.
On February 25th, 2026, amidst the horror of numerous wars, economic stress and fear, ABC’s National News introduced viewers to a very rare 416 year old Viola. Purchased by the Australian Concert Orchestra’s ‘Unique Instrument Fund’, the Viola will be in the company of 450-year-old Double Bass and 2 Stradivarius Violins. Principal Viola, Stefanie Farrands, had been searching the world for five years before finding this fine tenor Viola in New York.
Created by luthier*, Giovanni Paolo Maggini, the purchase price of this beautiful Italian Viola was over 3 million dollars.
Reflecting on this story gives me pause to ask,
“Well, Benalla, do some of you remember that auction? Do you suppose that somewhere in our midst, perhaps we have a hidden Stradivarius?”
Jan Pyers
March 2026
* A luthier is a skilled craftsperson who builds, repairs, and restores stringed musical instruments, such as guitars, violins, cellos, and lutes.
