The history of the accordion in Australia stems back to the first wave of European migrants and can be traced back to around the 1870’s. However, it should be noted that these musical instruments would have been mainly button accordions, melodeons, and concertinas. The concertina in fact arrived on Australian shores many years before; as early as 1845.
It was the concertina that first made a popular entrance into Australia and has become an important part of Australian outback history. The concertina became popular around goldfields, shearing sheds, droving and around outback stations. The concertina’s popularity can again be attributed to its robust nature and portability, as Australia’s working population was itinerant in disposition.
The accordion became a part of the Australian music panorama with European migration in the 1930’s and continued right through to the late 1970’s. This period of time could be considered as a golden era for the accordion in Australia, with many virtuosi performers of the instrument gaining acclaim and admiration from Australian audiences. It was these performers that largely generated the interest of others to be taught the accordion, thus the formation of numerous accordion music schools.
It was the late 1960’s that saw the formation of arranged competitions for the accordion and structured accordion clubs and associations.
The accordion in Australia today sees’ many clubs still operating and local, state and national standard competitions held in various locations around the country. The instrument has in many ways made resurgence in countless genres of music and is very much an intrinsic part of Australian popular culture. The accordion continues to be a connected part of Australian life.
