The Croydon Brass Band was founded in 1962 using instruments and members from the Lillydale and Ferntree Gully Bands. The first Bandmaster was Mr Ralph Williamson. The band was the only local band up until 1971.

The band is a traditional English Brass Band and is regular performer in the local municipality playing at a variety of functions including ANZAC Day, nursing homes and the Mooroolbark Carols by Candlelight.

The band also performs at indoor and outdoor formal concerts, Croydon main street, Chirnside Park Shopping Centre, Maroondah Festival, Lilydale Show, and have travelled to Geelong to take part in the Highland Games, Echuca to take part in the Victorian Steam Rally with the Echuca Federal Band.

The band has also participated in many competitions. Over the last 15 years the band has competed at

• The Bendigo Eisteddfod competitions from 2004 to 2015
• The VBL State Band Championships from 2013 to 2017
• The National Band Championships in 2007 and 2012 in Victoria, 2017 in Launceston, Tasmania and in 2018 again in Victoria,

winning the open D-Grade contest at the VBL State Championships in 2014, the open D-Grade contest at the Yamaha National Band Championships in 2017 and coming a close second in 2018.

The band has also been a marching group formerly under the direction of Drum Major, Ian Douglas and most recently Katy Heath.

The band rehearses on most Mondays at Keystone Hall between 8:00pm and 10.00pm.

Melina Benger was appointed Musical Director of the Croydon Brass Band in August 2002. She has been involved with Brass Bands for all of her life and first joined as a player with the Wonthaggi Citizens' Band at the age of 10. Since then she has been involved with bands such as Heidelberg, Moreland-Brunswick, Caulfield and the Echuca Federal Band. Melina has held various positions in these bands ranging from player and committee member through to President, teacher and conductor. She has also spent time teaching music at both primary and secondary schools.

Melina's family shares a long history with the band. Melina's father, Doug Morison, was one of the original members of the Croydon Brass Band which formed in 1962. Her mother joined the band a little later, and hence, this was where her parents met. Her uncle was also involved with the band many years ago and her sister is now a playing member.

Melina would like to take this opportunity to invite anyone and everyone to come and visit or to join the band. Everyone is warmly welcomed and we are happy to see beginners through to experts, regardless of age, or anyone that currently plays other instruments that would like to learn brass or people that don't know music at all - we can teach you!

Melina's philosophy as musical director is:

"Together, we will make good music by having a good time!"