by PBV AdminPosted on Posted in Events, Immediate, Vic Branch news

Pipe Bands Victoria is delighted to be invited to participate in a special event at Government House (Melbourne) featuring members of several of our bands on the evening of Friday 19 November 2021 commencing at 6:00pm.

This special evening concert will take place in the Grounds of Government House at the invitation of Her Excellency, The Hon. Linda Dessau AC Governor of Victoria and Mr Anthony Howard AM QC.

Please find the EventBrite link below for general public ticket registration. We hope many of you will be able to join us on the evening when we will hear the return of pipe band music to the community, within the magnificent grounds of Government House.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pipe-bands-victoria-event-in-the-grounds-of-government-house-melbourne-tickets-200559578097

by PBV AdminPosted on Posted in Meetings

Pipe Bands Victoria and VHPBA will be conducting Annual General Meetings on Sunday 5 December 2021 at Craig’s Royal Hotel, Lydiard Street Sth, Ballarat.

The Pipe Bands Victoria AGM will commence at 1:00pm. If attending, please notify the PBV Secretary, Karen Wallace to assist with planning via email to prior to November 24.

The VHPBA AGMs will commence at 3:00pm. If attending, or wishing to send an apology, please notify the VHPBA Secretary, Tim Calderan to assist with planning via email to prior to November 24.

Pre-registration of attendance is important to assist with managing socially distanced seating within the relevant room capacity as part of the hotel’s COVID-19 plans, as well as provision of refreshments. All entrants to Craig’s Royal Hotel should sign in with QR codes  / linked Vaccination certificate or provide proof of full (2 doses) COVID -19 vaccination.

Reports will be distributed to members from each secretary via the usual communications protocols prior to the meetings. If further information is required, please contact the secretary of each association with your enquiry.

by PBV AdminPosted on Posted in Contests, Events, Immediate, Vic Branch news

Pipe Bands Victoria advises that the 2021 Daylesford Highland Gathering has been cancelled. We thank the promoter for ongoing consultation with Pipe Bands Victoria and other stakeholders, and thank them and our other promoters for their continued support of Scottish culture in Victoria.

We also regrettably advise the Ballarat Highland Gathering for 2022 has too been cancelled. Pipe Bands Victoria continues to work with promoters to work towards a contest season in 2022.

The Ringwood Highland Gathering has changed its name to the Melbourne Highland Games & Celtic Festival, and we are pleased to confirm the date for the 2022 Victorian Pipe Band Championships has been confirmed for the Melbourne Highland Gathering (formerly the Ringwood Highland Gathering) on 20 March 2022.

by PBV AdminPosted on Posted in Uncategorized

“Lincoln Hilton, Director of Pipes and Drums at Haileybury, recently took part in the Gordon Duncan Memorial Piping Competition hosted by Piping Live. The event is geared to fundraising to support education and outreach for young pipers around the globe.

Lincoln placed 1st overall and was the first Australian representative to compete in the prestigious competition throughout its history. Typically they only bring in one representative from Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany to perform in all three categories – Scottish, Irish, and Breton. Lincoln won the Irish and the Breton set; Ross Ainslie (Scotland) was the winner of the Scottish set. Other competitors included Scott Wallace (Ireland) and Xavier Boderiou (Brittany)

Congratulations Lincoln!”

by PBV AdminPosted on Posted in Events, Immediate, Vic Branch news

Pipe Bands Victoria is sad to advise that the postponed Ringwood Highland Gathering scheduled to take place at Eastfield Park, Eastfield Road, Croydon on Sunday 3 October 2021 has been cancelled. The gathering committee has advised that due to ongoing uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic and concern for the health and safety of all participants and spectators, the gathering has been cancelled.

Pipe Bands Victoria continues to work on a a COVID Safe Plan to meet Government health requirements, and continues to monitor health advice to ensure the environment in which our members perform meets the current guidelines in place at any given time relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

by PBV AdminPosted on Posted in Uncategorized, Vic Branch news

Congratulations to Ron Abbott.

Ron was recently presented with a 75 year badge at the Horsham City Pipe Band AGM. Ron began playing the pipes at 9 years of age. He was awarded Life Membership in 1979 and was the band’s Pipe Major from 1970-2008. Ron plays at the local RSL Dawn services and was awarded the Evan and Barbara Mackley Shield for Bandsman of the Year in 2001 and 2018.

Pipe Bands Victoria extends congratulations to Ron on his remarkable achievements.

by PBV AdminPosted on Posted in Contests, Immediate

Please see attached the results from the Haileybury Inter-School band contest held Sunday 16 May 2021.

Haileybury Mastersheet_160521

by PBV AdminPosted on Posted in Contests, Immediate, Immediate-old

Please see attached the contest draw for the Haileybury contest for school bands to be held on Sunday 16 May 2021. COVID safe practices will apply, and this contest is limited to school bands only which at the time of planning, were subject to different COVID requirements from community bands.

We wish all the competing bands well, and are pleased that competitions in a limited format have been able to resume. It would be wonderful to offer spectator support to the 3 participating schools and you are most welcome to come along during the afternoon.

Food vendors and parking are available on site – see map attached – plus PBV QR code registration on entry.

PBV and Haileybury Inter School Contest Draw MK 2

by PBV AdminPosted on Posted in Contests, Immediate, Vic Branch news

Pipe Bands Victoria is pleased to advise that the postponed Ringwood Highland Gathering will take place at Eastfield Park, Eastfield Road, Croydon on Sunday 3 October 2021. The gathering committee has intimated they have some exciting announcements as they emerge from hibernation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and these will be publicised by the promoter in due course.

Further details will be provided as and when they become available from the promoter. Pipe Bands Victoria is working on a a COVID Safe Plan to meet Government health requirements, and continues to monitor health advice to ensure the environment in which our members perform meets current guidelines relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

by PBV AdminPosted on Posted in Events, Immediate, Uncategorized

Pipe Bands Victoria acknowledges the support and dedication of all our bands who were able to participate in ANZAC Day parades and services around Victoria this year. After the lockdown of 2020 preventing active participation, this was the first event at which many of our members and bands were able to perform in public in over a year. Attached is a photo sent in by Haileybury Pipes & Drums after their performance at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne.