At the 2016 Koroit Irish Festival, Taberner played in a traditional Irish music session – by his side was an oxygen tank, a constant companion in recent times as he battled a long illness that eventually took his life in late November. He was 68.

Taberner was farewelled on Saturday with a graveside service, followed by an Irish music session at Proudfoots.

He began playing in bands in Warrnambool in 1967 after moving here to attend Warrnambool Technical College. His first band was The New Folk with Shane O’Keefe, John Ferris and Peter Lawlor.

Lawlor said the three remaining members gathered at the Taberner home on Saturday afternoon to play songs in tribute to their late bandmate.

“It was a bit hard … but it was worth it,” Lawlor said.

In the ‘80s Taberner and Lawlor joined the Emu Creek Band which became a fixture on the local music scene during the bush dance revival of the ‘80s and ‘90s. The pair also played together as part of quartet with their wives – Marg Lawlor and Mem Taberner – predominantly playing at charity events.

In 2002, Mem and Dennis Taberner released an album called 34 Years On. As well as playing music together, the couple had two children and three grandchildren.

Both were also heavily involved in the Lake School of Celtic Music, Song, and Dance.

Program director Felix Meagher said Taberner was involved in the Lake School from the start, serving as a treasurer, committee member and banjo tutor. 

“He had an enormous influence in the area,” Meagher said.

“He was widely loved and respected by the school and the community. He’ll be very sadly missed.”

Through the school and other events, Taberner formed a close bond with the late Dennis O’Keeffe, with the pair performing at folk festivals around the country.

Taberner, who played fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar, was also a familiar face at Lex’s Shed and other Irish sessions around the region.

Michael Schack, who played with Taberner in Emu Creek, remembered him as a precise and conscientious musician and a very intelligent man.

Taberner also worked as an engineer and built his own banjo and guitar.