By Jed Lanyon
Healesville RSL’s bugler John Stanhope was “chuffed” to receive Queen’s Birthday honours for his service to the community of Healesville.
“I feel really humbled by it. All I’ve done is play the bugle for the local RSL for the last 47 years.”
And last year’s Covid-19 lockdown didn’t stop Mr Stanhope from fulfilling his duty for the community.
“Even last year in lockdown, I still did it at home in our street and all residents in the street came out. I actually played the trumpet that day and it was good because we’re on a hill and the sound of the trumpet going over the hill was unreal at six o’clock in the morning.”
The longtime Healesville resident and former proprietor of the Black Spur Nursery was quick to thank his wife, Annette, for his achievement. He managed to keep his Queen’s Birthday honour as a surprise to her.
“It’s a joint award. My wife needs a bit of recognition because she makes sure I’m up at five o’clock each Anzac morning to make sure I get there by six o’clock for the service.
“I started learning the trumpet when I was about eight. That’s how Annette and I met. We met in an orchestra and she played the clarinet.”
Mr Stanhope has received awards and recognition from Yarra Ranges Council, Healesville Rotary Club and Casey MP Tony Smith.
“This is another one! You wonder what can happen next,” he joked.
Mr Stanhope recalls when local RSL members first requested him to play The Last Post and Reveille for an Anzac service in 1975. Previously the RSL had played recordings of the bugle at their services.
“I was starting a nursery up the east end of Healesville. I was setting it up and a guy came in one day and said, ‘Ray Donkin sent me in’, and he used to own that site… They said, ‘we believe you’re a bugler?’ and I thought, not really, I’m a trumpet player. I wanted to be thought of as a bit more than a bugler.”
47 years later and Mr Stanhope is still performing as bugler and has become a staple of Healesville RSL’s Anzac service, one that has grown from a few “die hard members” to now involve the wider township and local schools.
“It’s become bigger than Ben-Hur now,” he said.
“I think it’s good if you can do something for the returned serviceman. I think it’s good if you can do something for these guys to make their day a bit more memorable. So I’m happy to do it.
“It’s nice to get the award, but I get satisfaction in seeing these guys happy for me to do that service for them.”
Being a business owner and the town’s bugler for Anzac services at the RSL as well as at schools and nursing homes has made Mr Stanhope a recognised figure in the community.
“I like Healesville, I’d never leave Healesville. I like the people and I know just about everyone here. You can’t go down the street without someone saying hello to you.”
