King's Birthday Honours

Receiving King's Birthday Honours 2024 - the King’s Service Medal

Congratulations to Wellington Brass Band Life Member Mr Mervyn Allison

For services to brass bands

Mr Mervyn Allison has contributed to the New Zealand brass band movement and has taught brass in Wellington and the Kapiti Coast.

From childhood, Mr Allison played brass instruments in bands for 82 years until ceasing playing at age 90 due to health reasons. He has held several committee positions on various bands throughout New Zealand. He served as President of brass bands in Kapiti, Christchurch and Wellington. In 1996 he was made a Life Member of the Wellington Brass Band and more recently a Life Member of Kapiti Brass. Before moving to the Kapiti Coast, he played with the Evening Post Onslow Band (now the Wellington Brass Band) for more than 30 years. Since 1994 he has tutored brass to students in Tawa and Wellington. He has helped organise fundraising events for the Kapiti Brass Band and these efforts have allowed the band to put on free-of-charge concerts at retirement villages on the Kapiti Coast. In 1974 he was selected for the National Band of New Zealand that toured Canada and the United States. He then played with the Royal New Zealand Airforce Band for more than 15 years. Mr Allison also plays in a local jazz group of Kapiti Brass Band players and has performed “sing-a-long” music for local clubs and senior citizens groups.

Callum Mallett