An 'exceptional' past and an 'exciting' future
Don Haines as a young man (above, holding his cornet) with his grandfather, father and younger brother, who all played in the Mt Gambier band. (Below, right) Don Haines today, having retired after 72 years of band service.
An 'exceptional' past and an 'exciting' future
I’ve been a Salvo all my life. I’ve been a bandsman for 70-odd years and a songster for not quite as long as that.
Mount Gambier was my home town and my home corps. The Army was very busy in those days. There were outdoor meetings, indoor meetings, Sunday school, the band playing at different places. It was exceptionally busy, but we didn’t look at it in those days as being exceptional, because we just did it.
My dad was the corps treasurer for many years at Mount Gambier. My mum died during this time. He was a good instrumentalist and a good solid Salvo, setting a
I became a bandmaster in my early 20s. There were a lot of younger bandmasters in those days. I’m not taking any glory for it at all, it was just an exciting experience. I love music, I love playing and I love banding. Certain times you are playing and you feel the band has really got a message and you almost get a lump in your throat, you know, you felt it was so right. And people might say 
They say there’s no such thing as retirement in The Salvation Army, and I think that’s true. Although I have retired from the band now, I’m still in the songsters and my daughter has been the leader since I retired from that role 20-odd years ago.
If you look at the Army today, not only have our methods changed but our style of dress has changed; our uniform has changed, a lot of our regulations have changed. We have become more open in our acceptance of people that are taking part with us. It used to be quite strict in those days. If you wanted to be a soldier or bandsmen you couldn’t go to the cinema, or whatever. A lot of that has changed and most of that has been for the better.
When I left Mount Gambier, my work took me to regional
In the last three
There is [also] the excitement of Australia One. I think it’s fantastic. You’ve always felt sometimes that Sydney and Brisbane are cut off from us and it shouldn’t ever be. I think it’s very exciting and I’m hoping that everybody gets the vision of it.
Comments
Congratulations Don ! I am one person that saw and heard you play in your prime and have an everlasting memory of someone who could play with such tone and finess, but more than all, you could hear The reason why Don played and the was for the honour and glory of God.
I thank you for being an influence in my life.
Don Haines is the template which God designed for an Army bandsman . He is without doubt a man full of love for God and others , a humble man . A bandsman that gave everything he could without expecting anything in return !
The purest tone you could ever hope to hear . Well done Don
Congratulations to "Mr Haines" on this amazing achievement! I was lucky enough to be a "rookie/probably not very good" songster under Don's leadership and have many treasured memories of very happy Salvo and family times together with the Haines family. Mr Haines was and always will be the very best cornet player I have ever heard. As I think back on those treasured years at Prospect I recall the absolute dedication of this caring Christian man. Don was my father's (Alan Burr) Deputy Bandmaster and friend at Prospect and I have shared this article with him and my mum (Margaret). Our love and best wishes for a long and happy retirement to Don and Gwen too!!