The Music Makers - Ron Eichler

'Music IS my Life' - says Ron Eichler when asked what part music plays in his life. 'All sound entails music, be it the bird song, the rustle of the leaves in the wind or the sound of the insects in a summer garden'. In fact, the Birregurra resident of 16 years is equally known for his gardening skills as he is for his musicianship. Taking a walk in Ron's garden is to enter a whimsical world where art, design and music combine, enticing the visitor to dream. His life in music had an early start. From a poor Portland family where music lessons were out of the question, a chance encounter with a local elderly bandmaster enabled young Ron to take up cornet lessons leading him to join the band at just 12 years of age. In his teens he embarked on the AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) syllabus for trumpet. During this time, the arrival of a new music teacher in town had huge influence on Ron. Anton Meerbach, a brilliant musician and