Memorial Benches

The families of two amazing former supporters of PHMS have placed concrete benches with memorial plaques near our walkway and gardens.

Doreen and Raymond Lee

Thanks to the vision of Doreen and Ray Lee, community groups that got underway after their arrival here in 1958 have since matured into the Harbour’s key cultural institutions. Our current vibrant harbour music culture has deep roots from early music making with the formation of the Harbour Lights Dance Band and the PH Choir, which all began in the Lees’ basement. Their home was the original impromptu community cultural centre and they became effective organizers of a variety of community events, from music lessons for Harbour young people to founding the first community library and organizing many Fishermen’s Homecoming Dances (and Doreen performing in those famous can-can lines). Doreen played and taught clarinet and saxophone and Ray learned to play the flute so he could join the band. Doreen’s beautiful soprano voice graced the Pender Harbour choir from its beginning.

They were founding members of the PH Music Society and faithfully supported music education, festivals and concerts here through the years. They are remembered for their innovation, enthusiasm, and participation in all things musical.

Dr. John Farrer

Dr. Farrer was a much-loved and respected physician on the Coast since coming here from London via Newfoundland in 1974. He was community-minded and generous with his time and support. He had a lifelong love of many genres of music and played various stringed instruments. He moved from classical violin to guitar to a fiddlestick and settled on a cittern where he loved the musical camaraderie of playing with the Cornpones.

John loved the Sunshine Coast and left a huge body of photographs celebrating its natural beauty. John had many interests from literature to geology, astronomy, flying and photography, but the PHMS and particularly the PH Chamber Music Festival remember John for his love of classical music, his constant encouragement and continued support of our concerts. He was often found quietly on the edge of the audience catching wonderful photos of our artists and concerts and was a generous sponsor.

We will be forever thankful for the community service of the Lee’s and Dr. Farrer in establishing, participating in, and generously supporting the Pender Harbour Music Society. They recognized the importance of music to the community, and helped to ensure that the venue and its activities thrive.