26 September 2025
Vale Graham Wood OAM
The Australian Youth Orchestra honors AYO Life Member, teacher, and violinist Graham Wood OAM, who has passed away.
Graham participated as a violinist in the original National Music Camps from 1949 to 1954, and later maintained a long and distinguished history with the National Music Camp Association (NMCA), also known as the Youth Music Association. He served as National Music Camp Director in 1979 and 1980 and was a tutor at many other National Music Camps. In 1974, Graham co-founded the West Australian Youth Orchestra and established NMCA day camps in Western Australia.
“On behalf of the board, staff, and the entire AYO community, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Graham Wood’s family and friends. Graham’s immense contribution to AYO, beginning with his participation in the inaugural National Music Camps, as well as his influence on numerous key orchestral organisations across Australia, has established a lasting legacy. His impact on music and music education will continue to inspire and benefit future generations.” – Kimbali Harding, CEO
Graham played in the Covent Garden/Royal Opera House orchestra for three years in the 1950s and subsequently spent three years with the London Philharmonic, before settling in Perth with his young family. Graham joined the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in 1960, during its early development.
Staff: (standing l to r): Patrick Brislan (horn), Don Johnson (trumpet), John Gould (viola); second row, sitting, l to r: Owen Fisenden (Flute), Graham Wood (violin), Jack Harrison (clarinet), John Mowson (bass), Brian Meddemmen (cello), John Dean (viola), Stanley Kowarski (violin), unknown, Peter Randall (oboe), Vaughan Hanly (violin/conductor), unknown, Sir Frank Callaway, unknown, unknown, Brian Pope,
A passionate champion of music, Graham continued tutoring, composing, and studying music well into his eighties. Graham was conferred as an AYO Life Member in 2006 in recognition of his dedication to music education and the indelible impact he has made on Australia’s orchestral landscape.