The Deakins were a Melbourne-based band created in 1963, originally as a 1960s pop, surf rock quartet, with Jeff W Donoghue on bass guitar, Ian Kinkead on drums, Bob Millar on lead guitar and Gary Schober on rhymth guitar. Each member would also participate with vocals. They reformed as a trio and later as a quintet. They performed in Melbourne, Geelong, Torquay and Warrnambool. In developing their sound they focused on three-part vocal harmonies. Jeff Donoghue used a Fender Bass VI (six string bass guitar), as part of his performance. For over three years, they were the resident band at a Geelong Saturday dance venue, Surf City, later renamed, Teen Scene. They also worked at many surf club dances along the Victorian southern coast, near the Great Ocean Road region. In Melbourne, the Deakins performed at a variety of music venues as well. These include some notable locations that have avoided demolition, like the George Hotel, in St. Kilda, Victoria and Festival Hall (Melbourne).