Bob Akerman was a foundation member of the school band. He’d met Geoff Lennard through their membership of the Waratah Brass Band and Newcastle Transport Band so it was only natural that he was enthusiastically involved in Jesmond’s school band from the start.
Bob was an active orchestra member outside of school, and performed in a production of “Gypsy Life” at the Roxy Theatre, as well as a cancelled “Pirates of Penzance” production of which Geoff was the conductor.
Band rehearsals were after school, and he recalls well the first performance at the 1963 speech Day at the Newcastle Town Hall. The band also played at Wallsend High School, ABC radio and NBN studios and at many special school occasions including the opening of ‘C Block’ in 1967 for which it received high praise.
Bob continued his interest in music after leaving school, playing in the NSW Police Band until the 1980s.
He maintained a lifelong friendship with Geoff Lennard.