In 1959, he commenced a long-term working musical partnership with the clarinetist, flautist and saxophonist Don Burrows that continued for almost forty years.
Together they nurtured and featured many young talents, including brassman and multi-instrumentalist James Morrison, guitarist Guy Strazzullo, drummer David Jones and others they taught at the New South Wales Conservatorium.
Golla toured frequently throughout Australia and at times with international guest support artists such as vibraphonist Gary Burton in the early 1970s.
From 2005 to 2015, Golla performed regularly in a duo with Australian jazz flugelhorn player and singer songwriter Elizabeth Geyer.
To celebrate his 80th birthday in 2015, Golla collaborated with Australian jazz singer Jacki Cooper to record a duo album called Tea for Two.