Pipe Bands Victoria is delighted to announce the winner of the 2020 Sir Rupert Hamer Award is Tom Troup.
Tom has been involved in pipe bands and snare drumming since he migrated to Australia in the 1960’s. He learnt to play snare with the Boy’s Brigade in Dundee, Scotland but did not play with a band until he migrated to Australia which include Scottish Ex-Service, The Rats of Tobruk Memorial Pipes and Drums, The Royal Caledonian Society and Moorabbin City Pipe Band. Whilst with Moorabbin, the band was regraded into Grade 2 and won the Grade 2 Australian Championships in 1976 and 1978.
During his time with the Rats Of Tobruk Memorial Pipes and Drums as Drum Sergeant, Tom was a major impetus for the band performing at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 1988 and was liaison with the tattoo organisers. The band was the first civilian band to have their own performance (outside of massed bands) at the tattoo.
In the late 1980s, Tom moved to the City of Melbourne No. 3 band, assuming leadership of the drum corps and was responsible for the tuition of their learners and up and coming snare drummers. In the 1990s, Tom then moved on to the Hawthorn City Pipe Band, where he was originally a corps drummer, but moved on to bass, whilst also taking on the roles of Drum Sergeant and secretary. Some highlights with Hawthorn were winning the New Zealand Championships in 2002 (clean sweep) and 2003; competing at the Jakarta Highland Gathering in the open grade and being crowned best bass drummer, beating out 2 Grade 1 bass drummers.
Currently, Tom is a member of Frankston RSL Pipes and Drums, initially as tutor, but then as a corps drummer, ultimately becoming drum sergeant whist continuing to tutor.
Tom’s contribution to other bands as tutor has also included the Ringwood, St Andrews Ladies, and Sale pipe bands.
Tom has continued his interest and has been Pipe Bands Victoria and VHPBA councillor for a number of bands. A drumming colleague Tom’s has quoted:
“Tom has been instrumental in starting and inspiring the career of many pipe band drummers.” This includes two of his children, Alex becoming a world class snare drummer, and Caroline becoming a world class tenor drummer. Tom has also been a mentor for those taking on roles within bands, whether it was as Drum Sergeant or an administrative role.
Congratulations Tom on being awarded the 2020 Sir Rupert Hamer Award.
