About Us

Dept of Rock came to life after old school friends Nigel McRae and Leanne Thompson were chatting about putting on a Battle of the Bands competition for the public servants at Smith’s Alternative. As the owners of Canberra’s most beloved live music venue, Nigel and partner Beth Tully, knew of many local musos working in the public service - as did Leanne, herself a former public servant who had got into live music via a work band.

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Leanne pondered the Dept of Rock concept and, in collaboration with Nigel and Beth, launched the inaugural Dept of Rock Battle of the Bands competition at Smiths in late 2023. The aim was simple yet impactful: to create a lively and welcoming band competition for public sector workers in the ACT and federal government sectors, showcasing and nurturing musical talent while dispelling stereotypes about 'boring public servants'.

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What followed exceeded all expectations. In both 2023 and 2024, 24 incredible bands, including many bands that formed just for the competition, participated in Dept of Rock Battle of the Bands. And the Canberra community got behind the events with enthusiastic Canberrans cheering on the bands, local businesses donating prizes and a huge number of volunteers sitting on judging panels.

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​Building on this success, Dept of Rock plans to run the Public Service Battle of the Bands competition annually and offer bands the opportunity to play All Star gigs which showcase and celebrate musos and bands without the pressure of competition.

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Dept of Rock aims to find seek new ways to foster, support, and celebrate the creative prowess of our public sector workforce through live music.