Wakeley Pipe Organs News Archive 2010

October 2010

Hamer Hall

Our firm was commissioned for and has completed the dismantling, packing and storage of the 1979-81 Casavant Frères organ Opus 3434 (4 manual 60 stops) from the Hamer Concert Hall in central Melbourne. The Hall and its surrounds are part of the Southbank Cultural Precinct Redevelopment Project, hence the need for the organ to be removed from the auditorium. It is scheduled to return to the Hall, once funds to refurbish and reinstate it have been secured.

St Aloysius Catholic Church, Caulfield

An historic 1880 J W Wolff organ of the utmost significance has been purchased by St Aloysius Church. This instrument was formerly in College Park Congregational Church, Adelaide until 2005 and has been in storage since then. It is largely in original condition and retains its hand blowing feeders and rare mechanical ‘push-up’ action. Repair work is being carried out prior to its installation in the gallery. This will serve as a temporary main organ until a larger instrument can be installed.
Specifications (217k)

First theatre organ for China

Due to the pending sale of the “Brightwell” property in Heathcote, Victoria the resident Wurlitzer theatre organ has been purchased for the Gulangyu Organ Museum in Xiamen, China. On 20th October, the final concert was given by USA organist Martin Ellis. The dismantling and packing of the organ commenced the following day.

The 1928 ‘H’ model Wurlitzer was built for the Kings Cross Theatre, Darlinghurst, Sydney and subsequently located in the Savoy Theatre, Hurstville, Sydney and Burwood Congregational Church, Sydney. In 2003 it was refurbished and reconfigured by our firm for installation in the residence of Mr Howard Terrill in Heathcote. With the addition of two ranks (Vox Humana and Trumpet) the organ consists of 12 ranks, piano, 5 tuned percussions (Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Chimes, Chrysoglott, Sleigh Bells) and traps (special effects) over 2 manuals and pedal.

Installation in China is expected to be completed in late 2011.

May 2010

St Mark's Catholic Church, Fawkner

Work has commenced on the removal of ‘slider seals’ from the swell & great slider windchests in the historic 1888 Alfred Fuller organ. The parish has taken the step to return the sliders to their original method of operation. New bearers are to be manufactured to suit the original timber sliders. This work is being carried out while the church is under refurbishment.

St Augustine's, Yarraville

Our firm has been awarded the contract to relocate the parishes historic 1872 Hill & Son organ. The instrument will return to the gallery where it was originally installed, having been moved to the front of the church building in 1970.

St Barnabas' Chapel, Norfolk Island

Following the installation of a new slate roof, an extensive cleaning of the 1876 Henry ‘Father’ Willis organ in St Barnabas’ Chapel has now been completed.

April 2010

St Barnabas' Chapel, Norfolk Island

The 1876 Henry ‘Father’ Willis pipe organ which we carried out restoration work on in 2002, is to be cleaned throughout. This was made necessary after the chapel roof was completely replaced and distributed a large amount of dust within the building and organ.

Specifications (434k)

St Joseph's Catholic Church, Chelsea

As mentioned in our March update, we have been awarded the contract to relocate the organ currently in Brunswick Uniting Church to St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Chelsea. The instrument will be refurbished prior to installation and include the installation of several new stops and a new solid state control system. Originally built in 1906 by Frederick Taylor (for Kew Presbyterian Church), it was rebuilt in 1960 by Hill, Norman & Beard and relocated to Brunswick in 1996. Completion is scheduled for late 2010

Proposed Specifications (356k)

March 2010

Brunswick Uniting Church - St Joseph's Chelsea

Wakeley Pipe Organs has been awarded the contract for the removal of the Taylor organ from Brunswick Uniting Church and its relocation to St Joseph's Chelsea.

Community of the Transfiguration, Teesdale

Work has commenced on the commissioned chamber organ for the Baptist Community of the Transfiguration in Teesdale. The organ was an unfinished instrument by Knud Smenge of Healesville, and will be completed and customised for the monastery by Wakeley Pipe Organs.

Box Hill Uniting Church

Restoration work of the 1877 Henry Willis organ in the Box Hill Uniting Church is now underway.  This stage of the restoration will include the refurbishment of the mechanical action, and releathering of the wind stabilisers.

January 2010

St Carthage's Catholic Church, Parkville, Victoria

Work continues on the restoration of the historic 1885 George Fincham organ, formerly in Williamstown Congregational Church. The organ is in largely original condition and retains its hand blowing feeders and cone tuning. The oak grained casework and stenciled façade pipes are being refurbished by Mr Mark Nobel of Melbourne.

St Mary's Catholic Cathedral, Hobart

The major refurbishment and enhancement of the 3 manual, 54 stop (58 ranks) organ in St Mary’s is now complete. This work included the installation of a new digital control system and the addition of several new stops.

Gulangyu Organ Museum, Xiamen, China

The organ formerly in Scots’ Church, Melbourne is currently being rebuilt and reconfigured for installation in the museum to complement the 1909 Norman & Beard organ our firm installed in 2004.  The instrument will comprise of 4 manuals and 62 stops (60 ranks).