Australian Army Band Corps Association Award

CRITERIA:  The Australian Army Band Corps Association Award is awarded annually to a member of the AABC nominated by the Commanding Officer, Australian Army Band and Head of Corps AABC whose achievements have significantly contributed to the operational effectiveness of the AABC, the morale and esprit-de-corps of its members and enhanced the status of the AABC within the Army and the wider community.

2024 AUSTRALIAN ARMY BAND CORPS ASSOCIATION AWARD

Lance Corporal Joshua McKellar

Lance Corporal Joshua McKellar is posted to the Australian Army Band Kapooka as a vocalist. Lance Corporal McKellar’s versatility as a performer spans a wide range of styles and ensembles, enabling him to connect with a broad cross-section of military and community audiences. Of note, Lance Corporal McKellar represented the Australian Army Band with distinction as part of a 10-week deployment on Indo Pacific Endeavour.

Lance Corporal McKellar’s commitment to enhancing operational effectiveness is evidenced through his personal initiative to add specialist proficiencies to his skill set, even when additional remuneration is not available. Already a Musician Grade 3 vocalist, Lance Corporal McKellar successfully completed the Residential Phase of the Audio Engineer Course in support of filling a projected capability gap. Further to this, Lance Corporal McKellar is currently enhancing the training offered by the Defence Force School of Music with a Bachelor of Audio Production. His attendance on this course has inspired other members to do the same, thus ensuring future depth and capability in this area.

Lance Corporal McKellar willingly fulfils a variety of extra regimental duties, of which President of the Social Club has been just one example. His effective work in this area has resulted in many activities which have fostered a sense of inclusion and comradery within the sub-unit. These events have undeniably contributed to the morale and esprit of all members of the Australian Army Band Kapooka, including their families.

In the wider ADF, Lance Corporal McKellar is a member of ADF Golf, and successfully represented the Australian Army Band at the ADF Golf Riverina Regionals earlier this year.

Within the community, Lance Corporal McKellar’s sustained charity work over many years in the Riverina is nothing short of exceptional. Where an alignment of opportunity exists, Lance Corporal McKellar has successfully linked sub-unit tasking with a variety of community fundraising events that he has been associated with.

As a founding member of the Specialist Medical Resources Foundation, Lance Corporal McKellar has participated in numerous fundraising events, with at least $380, 000.00 going towards the provision of vital, life changing medical equipment and support. As a committee member for Relay for Life, Lance Corporal McKellar has been instrumental in coordinating events which have raised at least $200,000 for the Cancer Council’s research, prevention, and support services. A regular at Wagga Wagga Takes Two, Lance Corporal McKellar has participated in 14 iterations of this iconic local event, which has raised approximately $4, 000,000 for local charities since its inception in 2007.

Additionally, Lance Corporal McKellar frequently volunteers his time to assist with local music theatre productions, the results of which have generated many tangible recruiting leads. Despite the challenges of recruiting in regional centres, Lance Corporal McKellar’s direct involvement in this space has led to the completion of two successful male vocal auditions.

Lance Corporal McKellar’s charismatic leadership qualities, coupled with his embodiment of Good Soldiering principles, continue to serve as a positive example for his peers and superiors. Lance Corporal McKellar is a credit to the Australian Army Band Corps and the Australian Army. His service continues in the finest traditions of all previous recipients of this award.

Gordon Lambie, OAM, CSM
President AABCA
October 2024

AABC Association Award Recipients 

  • 1993 MUSN Lyndon Jackson - RMC Band

  • 1994 MUSN Paul Young - 1 RTB Band

  • 1995 LCPL Chris Luke - 1 RTB Band

  • 1996 CPL David Cassidy - RMC Band

  • 1997 CPL Richard Box - 1 RTB Band

  • 1998 CPL Adam Moore - AAB Kapooka

  • 1999 CPL Dean Griffiths - RMC Band

  • 2000 MUSN Danny Beaton - AAB Kapooka

  • 2001 SSGT Stuart Colhoun - AAB Sydney

  • 2002 CPL Ray Hingston - AAB Melbourne

  • 2003 SGT Rod Mason - AAB Sydney- Citation

  • 2004 SGT Andrew Heron - RMC Band - Citation

  • 2005 WO2 Rohan Stubbings - AAB Tasmania - Citation

  • 2006 SGT Russell Paynter - AAB Kapooka - Citation 

  • 2007 MUSN James Duquemin - AAB Brisbane - Citation

  • 2008 CPL Andrew Barnet - AAB Brisbane - Citation

  • 2009 SGT Michael Lee - 1 RAR Band - Citation

  • 2010 CPL Greg Peterson - AAB Sydney - Citation

  • 2011 LCPL Justin Kennedy - AAB Kapooka - Citation

  • 2012 SGT Kirsty Janelle Bird - RMC Band - Citation

  • 2013 MUSN Robin Kidney - AAB Darwin - Citation

  • 2014 CPL David Portakiewicz - 10/27 RSAR Band - Citation

  • 2015 CPL David Shuttleworth - AAB Kapooka - Citation

  • 2016 SGT John Mackenzie - AAB Perth - Citation

  • 2017 LCPL Nerrida Jade McCorkell - RMC Band - Citation

  • 2018 MUSN Alex David O'Neill - AAB Sydney - Citation

  • 2019 MUSN Stephen Brock Taylor - AAB Adelaide - Citation

  • 2020 LCPL Jacob Curro - AAB Kapooka - Citation

  • 2021 CPL Laura Jayne Burden - Band of the 1st Brigade (Darwin) - Citation

  • 2022 LCPL Amelia Johnson - AAB Kapooka - Citation

  • 2023 MUSN William Barker - AAB Kapooka - Citation

  • 2024 LCPL Joshua McKellar - AAB Kapooka - Citation

     
    ©2008