James Brunton Gibb

Who was James Brunton Gibb?

James Brunton Gibb L.T.C.L. was a prominent Australian performer and teacher of elocution.

He was born "James Thomas Gibb" but adopted his mother's maiden name as his middle name. He studied at Sydney High School and was to become a prominent member of their Old Boys' Union. He began his stage career entertaining troops as a member of the "Anzac Coves", after active service in Egypt, France and Flanders.

He studied elocution under Lawrence Campbell and continued to draw on his expertise while gaining credentials for judging. He founded his elocution school in 1920?, based in Paling's Building, Sydney, where he later formed the Brunton Gibb Players. From 1919 to 1939 he regularly gave popular recitals, commonly at St James' Hall in Phillip St., or King's Hall, Sydney, accompanied by performers such as Ethel Lang, Lindley Evans, Rosa Alba, Albert Goossens, Tom Lamond, Idwal Jenkins and Wilfred Thomas.

He also supported rival schools run by Gladys Guest, S Gordon Lavers, Zita Swales and Beth Powe. He organised music festivals and the first Auburn eisteddfod. He served as adjudicator at that and similar competitions at Kurri Kurri Taree Riverina Goulburn, Maitland, Toronto, New South Wales, Windsor, Queensland then major contests in Brisbane, Wellington, New Zealand Devonport, Tasmania and contributed to many charity fund-raisers and Anzac Day services.