The celebration of a life in music.

Joan Smith is a name inextricably linked with music in Stanthorpe. She is fondly remembered by many for her dedication to organising Music in the Gallery for over 20 years, while some might recall her with a touch of terror if their association with “Miss Smith” was that of music teacher and pupil, and there was a deficiency of practice being undertaken by the latter.

Each year about this time members of the Granite Belt Choir, Contempo, and Granite Belt Junior Choir pay tribute to Joan in music and song, by performing the annual Joan Smith Tribute Recital in Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery. The performance will take place on Sunday 25th August at 2pm.

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL INCLUDING FOR THE FREE TICKETS FOR CHILDREN DUE TO LIMITED SEATING CAPACITY.

About Joan

Joan’s primary role in the community was that of High School teacher and administrator, Music Teacher, promoter of Community arts with focus on music.

Joan Smith taught music from her home in Stanthorpe. She was the Senior Mistress and then Deputy Principal at the Stanthorpe High school for over forty years until her retirement. She passed away in 2014

Joan organised and promoted the Border District Eisteddfod for many years. She was the conductor and musical director of the Stanthorpe Choral Society. This group presented choral items at the Eisteddfods both here in town and out of town and they competed successfully in the State Eisteddfods. The Choral Society presented at least one musical comedy per year at the Rex Hall and then at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre. Under Joan’s direction they sang at ANZAC services and presented various musical evenings throughout the year. A large number of towns people were part of the Choral Society or took part in the plays and concerts they presented.

Joan was responsible for starting Music in the Gallery. Her commitment to bring gifted musicians and singers to Stanthorpe is still reflected in the concerts performed here and in the memorial concert presented once a year.

In her time as a teacher at the high school, Joan influenced thousands of lives. She taught both English and Modern History. Joan was the organiser of the APEX debating competition and for several years Stanthorpe were both district Champions and State contenders. She was also responsible for lunchtime choir and music activities. She organised school musicals where her influence was also on her fellow teachers as well as students.

Joan taught all her students to be independent thinkers. She was, perhaps unknowingly, a particularly excellent role model and mentor for many young women in the teaching service, her senior female students and women in the wider community. She lived a life that showed single women could be independent, have a fulfilling life and give to the community they were part of. This at a time when women were beginning a world-wide fight for equality.

Joan was named in the Zonta Club’s “Remarkable women of the Granite Belt” in 2022.