Dr Paul Paviour takes part in Parliament House 30th anniversary

At the other end of the line was the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, asking him to prepare a musical piece for the opening of the new Parliament House. The then Goulburn Regional Conservatorium director had little hesitation but his task soon morphed into directing all the music for the grand event.

The long-time local resident also composed the score for the official opening, including ‘Music for Ceremonial’ and ‘The Processional Fanfare,’ which the Army and Navy Bands and the Australian Youth Orchestra played. All had to be coordinated with speeches and processions. His composition at the time was a medley of Australian folk songs. Soprano Yvonne Kenny capped off proceedings with the National Anthem.

That evening he met Queen Elizabeth and Price Philip at a reception in the Great Hall. 

“(The event) was a highlight of my career,” Dr Paviour said.

On Saturday he will relive the memories as Parliament House celebrates its 30^th anniversary. 

The morning includes a discussion with political journalist Barrie Cassidy and a panel about ‘Parliament House 30 years on.’ But in the afternoon Dr Paviour will speak at a luncheon reception about his role in directing the original music. This will be followed by a concert at 2pm by an ensemble of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, led by Barbara-Jane Gilby. It includes Dr Paviour’s composition ‘Frank Gardiner and Friends’ and other typically Australian music. 

“It’s not often people outside Canberra are invited to take part and I’m amazed to be asked,” he said.

“I’m excited to be giving a talk and showing that not everything has to be by people from capital cities.”

Dr Paviour has served the region’s arts community for many years, firstly at the Goulburn College of Advanced education, as the founding director of the city’s Regional Conservatorium and as music director at St Saviour’s Cathedral over many years.