Phillipa Edwards has been involved in brass bands since the age of 7, when she began her playing journey with the Wodonga Brass band.

You can read the write-up of Phillipa’s musical journey and career on page 9 of the 'Women in Brass: A Celebration of Women in Banding' 2023 Program, but let’s acknowledge some of her many accomplishments that have led to her selection as the 2023 recipient of the Janice Valma Davey OAM, Memorial Award.  

Phillipa demonstrates a passion that speaks volumes about her dedication and love of the brass band movement and the many individuals she has introduced, taught and nurtured throughout the brass band world, specifically within Victoria.   The list of contribution is extraordinary, so we will acknowledge what is sure to be a much-reduced list.  

Phillipa works across the generations, teaching and leading people of all ages, from the youngest players to the young-at-heart players. She works across all levels of ability, from juniors beginning their musical journey, through to accomplished musicians at Australia’s A-grade-level.  

Over the years, Phillipa has introduced and developed (at least) hundreds of kids to the world of brass, bringing them through the ranks of training and junior bands, strengthening the wider brass band community. She is the musical Director of the Hyde St Youth Band and was previously the Musical Director of Darebin Youth Brass, which later became Coburg Junior Brass.

In addition to local junior brass bands, Phillipa is also the Co-director of the Victorian State Youth Band, that brings young musicians together from Greater Melbourne and across Regional Victoria.  

As if all that is not enough, Phillipa is the Musical Director of Glenferrie Brass, one of the three A-grade brass bands in Victoria. And she was the former Musical Director and Life Member of the Footscray-Yarraville City Band, another of the three A-grade brass bands in Victoria. Phillipa is also the Co-Musical Director of Women in Brass.  

In 2007, Phillipa was named the ‘Musical Director of the Year’ by the Victorian Band’s League, of which she is also a Life Member.  

During the recent covid lockdown periods, as the co-founder and co-director of Skunkworks Community, along with her colleagues, Phillipa arranged free virtual master-classes that featured world-class musical experts to help musicians in the brass band community remain connected, educated and enthusiastic. In addition to this, tools were made available for musicians to keep up with their home practise.  

Phillipa, we recognise and thank you for your outstanding contribution to Australian brass bands.