"It’s Not Just What I Do, It’s Who I Am" Kathryn George’s March To Success

When Kathryn George, OAM, first walked into Mackay North State High School in 1979, she faced a musical mountain with nothing more than three broken xylophones and a piano badly in need of a tune. Fast-forward nearly five decades, and Kathryn now stands at the helm of a $200,000 music department, leading one of Australia’s most celebrated school marching bands.

Her determination to transform scarcity into success earned her an Order of Australia Medal in 2019, recognising her dedication to school music ensembles.

"When I first arrived at Mackay North SHS all those years ago, I looked around at the little I had to work with and decided to turn it into a top-class music facility," Kathryn says.

"The school started to raise money for equipment while I set about writing all the musical arrangements for the various band sections because we didn’t have any."

That grit soon paid off.

What started as a humble school band of 35 students in 1991 has grown to 130 strong in 2025, earning international acclaim.

"In 1991, we had 35 students in the band, and this year we have 130," she said.

A defining moment arose in 1995, when the band was the only Queensland state school group invited to the Brisbane Anzac Parade.

"Back then, our marching band students wore a red hat, a blue blouse and long white pants or skirts.

“Needless to say, of course, a black cloud overhead decided to rain…Not on the whole parade – just on our students.

“The spectators’ jaws dropped when the red dye from the hats started to run in rivulets down the students' uniforms, all the way to the white fabric. But our students continued marching and playing beautifully as if nothing had happened.

“I was so proud."

This year marks the band’s 31st Anzac Parade appearance. Ninety-two students will make the 16-hour bus ride to Brisbane, wearing their sharp black and electric blue uniforms with gold accents.

Global invitations followed, at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2011 Shanghai Tourism Festival, and the 2015 American Independence Day Parade in Los Angeles.

"The 2-hour march was watched by eight million people live and by millions on television," Kathryn says.

"Then in 2015 we were invited to represent Australia in the American Independence Day Parade in Los Angeles, and while there, we also made a guest appearance at the Disneyland afternoon parade at Anaheim."

But if there’s one thing that remains over the years, it’s the joy she finds watching young musicians grow.

"It does wonders for their self-esteem, discipline and focus," she says.

"Even if my students do not go into music professionally, studying music enhances the learning process."

At nearly 70, Kathryn remains passionate about shaping young minds.

"There is always more that I can achieve," she says.

"I love teaching music. It’s not just what I do. It’s who I am."

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Kathryn George, OAM, transformed a struggling school music program into an internationally acclaimed marching band, inspiring generations of students along the way. Photo source: QLD Department of Education

Mackay North State High School Students ready to take part in the Brisbane City ANZAC Day March. Photo source: Mackay North State High School (Facebook)

Mackay North State High School taking part in the Brisbane City ANZAC Day March

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