The Lancefield Band Rotunda is one of the more interesting structures of its type due to its austere construction and the fact that it is very small. In terms of its function, it is no longer used as a band rotunda – Lancefield’s brass band went defunct in the 1920s – and today it looks like a shelter in the located in the middle of the High St median garden, opposite the Mechanics’ Institute.
Historically at least, it has a bit of a story, although there are some discrepancies between newspaper articles and a history book of the town, ‘Lancefield history trail : an historic look at the making of a town’. The history book tells us that,
In 1906, some of the ladies of the town raised £30 for the erection of a Band Rotunda for the Lancefield Brass Band. The Council thought it should be erected outside the Mechanics’ Institute, however, the ladies had chosen the intersection of High and Raglan Streets and refused to hear of it being build anywhere else, since they had raised the money for its construction. (Kishere, 2024, p. 31)
Whether it was actually constructed in 1906 is another matter as a small snippet from an article published in the Kilmore Free Press newspaper in August 1908 notes,
Lancefield is having a band rotunda erected in High street. It was once said that the band had to practise out amongst the hills so as not to annoy the people; they must be proficient now. Anyhow, it shows appreciation. (“News and Notes.,” 1908)
As well-intentioned as the ladies of the town were by having the rotunda constructed at the western end of the gardens, the general opinion was that it should have been built, or moved, to the western end of the gardens. Agitation to have the band rotunda moved to a location adjacent to the Mechanics’ Institute seemed to be a festering issue as the Lancefield Brass Band submitted a request to the local council in July 1916, as can be read in the article below.
Now, while this article above says that the “Lancefield councillors favo(u)r the proposal” (“Band Rotunda.,” 1916), when the proposal was discussed at a council meeting a month later, there seemed to be an air of indifference shown, if the resulting discussion was anything to go by.
– Cr McElhinney thought it was not a Council matter.
– Cr Foy agreed. This was no time for expenditure of that kind. To his knowledge the rotunda had not been used by the band. Its removal would cost a considerable sum. The opinion of Misses Gordon, who put it there should first be obtained anyway.
– Cr. R. Hemphill said the band existed in the public interest and he favoured the request. The bandsmen were willing to plant trees around it if removed to where in his opinion, it should have been erected in the first place.
– Cr Mc Elhinney: If the band wishes to remove it, we are not opposed to them doing so.
– Cr R. Hemphill: It is not fair to ask the band to do it.
– Cr Foy: The idea is ridiculous. It may cost us £50.
– Cr Johnston: You can’t expect the band to pay.
– Cr Foy: The Park is the best place for it.
– Cr Johnston: I favour removing it, but we should ask Misses Gordon first.
– Cr McElhinney moved that no actions be taken
– Seconded by Cr Foy, who said it was just as reasonable to ask the Romsey people to remove the fountain opposite the Shire Hall. At the last recruiting meeting Lancefield had to obtain a band from Kyneton.
– Cr Vinnicombe: We should have a petition from the residents. I don’t know their wishes, but desire they should have them.
– Cr Ochiltree: Leave it where it is. We have not time to bother about bands
(“The Band Rotunda,” 1916; “Romsey Shire Council.,” 1916)
And the end result of this discussion?
No action (“The Band Rotunda,” 1916; “Romsey Shire Council.,” 1916)
Evidently, the subject of the band rotunda was not the most newsworthy item in the district. It is not until 1924 that the issue of moving the rotunda comes up again, this time in at a Romsey Shire Council meeting held on Friday, November 7th, as reported by The Sunbury News newspaper.
Engineer mentioned a request that came from Lancefield over the phone that permission be given to shift band rotunda to garden in front of Mechanics’ Institute. – Held over. (“ROMSEY SHIRE COUNCIL.,” 1924)
Exactly when the rotunda was moved from one end of the gardens to the other is therefore unclear (based on newspaper articles). But at some stage, it was moved and then fell into disrepair (Kishere, 2024). The history book leaves us with this final note about the rotunda.
The Streetscape Committee secured its survival with a full restoration in 2011. It is now located at the eastern end of the plantation. (Kishere, 2024, p. 31)
Interestingly, when comparing rotunda pictured in the postcard above, with the recent photograph, it appears that the rotunda has been reduced in height as the platform and supports were removed. Now, it is a shelter and a unique part of the Lancefield town history.
(The photograph was taken by Jeremy de Korte, 04/10/2026)
Acknowledgement:
This author had the opportunity of participating in a historical walk around Lancefield on the 4th of October 2026 and thanks members of the Romsey & Districts Historical Society for their knowledge and expertise.
References:
The Band Rotunda. (1916, 11 August). Lancefield Mercury and West Bourke Agricultural Record (Vic. : 1914 – 1918), 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129578881
Band Rotunda. (1916, 28 July). Lancefield Mercury and West Bourke Agricultural Record (Vic. : 1914 – 1918), 2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129578816
de Korte, J. D. (2026). Lancefield, Vic. : High Street Band Rotunda [Photograph]. [IMG_1967]. Jeremy de Korte, Newington, Victoria.
High St. Lancefield. (n.d.). [Postcard]. [653].
Kishere, S. (2024). Lancefield history trail : an historic look at the making of a town. Romsey Lancefield & District Historical Society Inc.
News and Notes. (1908, 06 August). Kilmore Free Press (Kilmore, Vic. : 1870 – 1954), 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58091030
Romsey Shire Council. (1916, 11 August). Romsey Examiner (Vic. : 1914 – 1918), 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154468042
Romsey Shire Council. (1916, 11 August). Romsey Examiner (Vic. : 1914 – 1918), 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154468042
