Vale Garth Lawrence Mansfield, OAM. May 24, 1931-December 3, 2025.

One of Canberra’s mightiest music champions has died, aged 94.

Acknowledged for his boundless energy, drive and focus, Garth Lawrence Mansfield was a tireless advocate for music and the founding force behind the Wesley Music Centre in Forrest. He first made his mark on Canberra’s music life in the ’60s and ’70s as organist and choir conductor at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Forrest, later joining Wesley Uniting Church as director of music in 1978.

As founding director of the Wesley Music Centre from 2002 to 2013, Mansfield mentored a long line of organ scholars who went on to pursue distinguished careers overseas.

Since opening, the centre has hosted more than 3000 concerts, becoming one of Canberra’s most sought-after venues for small-scale chamber recitals and high-level recording sessions. Mansfield took pride in the fact that not a cent of its construction came from church or government grants.

Instead, it was financed entirely by the Wesley Music Foundation (ACT), which raised more than $2 million to build the centre. It quickly became home to music courses, private music teaching, U3A classes, music examinations, masterclasses and recitals. The foundation has also supported 84 outstanding young musicians to complete tertiary studies through the Wesley Music Scholarships, and partnered with the Canberra Classical Guitar Society and the Carillon Society to award young composers.

Praised by colleagues for his ability to bring people together through music, Mansfield was always supported by his wife of 59 years, Margaret, who predeceased him in 2019. Her calm influence was widely acknowledged as an important part of the centre’s success.

Known for fighting the good fight, Mansfield battled opposition to improve the church’s poor acoustics, which he once described as “a barn”, before it came to be recognised for musical excellence and fine sound quality.

At his 90th birthday celebration in 2021, cellist David Pereira described him as “a generous, kind good Samaritan”.

He is survived by his children Stephen, Narelle and Jeremy; grandchildren Jordan, Timothy, Madison and Majenta; and great-grandchildren Xavier and Elijah.

A thanksgiving service will be held at Wesley Uniting Church, 20 National Circuit, Forrest, on December 14. A livestream will be available via the Wesley Uniting Church YouTube channel.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Wesley Music Foundation (ACT).