Frederick Augustus Packer

[23] In defending his position, Packer produced encomiums from Samuel Parsons D.D., incumbent of All Saints' Church, Hobart, and R. K. Ewing of St Andrew's Kirk, Launceston.

[27] Packer composed and directed an "Ode of Welcome", sung by five thousand schoolchildren at the Queen's Domain, to Prince Alfred, the Duke of Edinburgh, on his visit to Tasmania as part of his 1967/8 tour of Australia.

He was instrumental in securing for the City of Hobart an organ, built by J. W. Walker of London, and reckoned to be (apart from that of the Sydney Town Hall) the finest in Australia,[29] which he opened on 17 March 1870. in a grand concert, playing Haydn's Creation and Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.

In their absence, the Hobart Philharmonic Society, of which Packer was conductor, organised a benefit concert at the Town Hall for his return.

[33] In 1884 Hobart citizens were treated to a free concert at which Packer demonstrated the versatility and power of the Town Hall organ.

[c] In 1885 disagreement arose between Packer and the church administration over divided control of the choir (between organist and choirmaster).

[35] He took up the organist's stool at the church of St John the Baptist, Goulburn Street, where he presided for the last five years' residence in Hobart.

[42] For instance, "Nearer to Thee" (hymn 109) to the familiar poem by Sarah Flower Adams,[43] and dedicated to Archdeacon Davies[44] is credited to F. A. Packer R.A.M.

[66] Packer was accused by The Clipper of being lauded by "The Muckery" (the Hobart Mercury) as an "artist" or musical genius, when he was second-rate and only succeeded through having no competition; unlike his uncle Charles, he never ventured overseas.