Scots Day Out Contest Draw (updated)
Please find attached the updated contest draw (Mk 4) for the Scots Day Out at Bendigo to be held Saturday 29 February 2020 at Rosalind Park, Bendigo.
We look forward to seeing you all there.
Ballarat Highland Gathering Results
Please find attached the master sheet from the Ballarat Highland Gathering held Sunday 23 February 2020.
“Evening with Gordon Parkes”
With assistance from Pipe Bands Australia, Pipe Bands Victoria is hosting an “Evening with Gordon Parkes” following the Australian Pipe Band Championships on Tuesday 7 April at 7pm at the Maroondah Sports Club, corner Dublin & Mt Dandenong Road, Ringwood East.
All members are invited to attend the presentation which will be preceded by dinner at the Maroondah Sports Club. Meals are available at the club from 6pm and bookings can be made directly wth the club on (03) 9879 2922.
Gordon’s presentation will focus on musicianship and leadership in pipe bands. Gordon is a leading RSPBA Adjudicator and former lead drummer of the multiple World Champion pipe band Field Marshal Montgomery.
This presentation not only an opportunity for band leaders and members to hear from Gordon, but is also an opportunity for adjudicators to continue their professional development, as Gordon imparts his experience and knowledge.
A podcast will also be made available by Pipe Bands Australia. We acknowledge and thank Pipe Bands Australia for this initiative.
Ballarat Highland Gathering Contest Draw
Please find attached the contest draw (Mk 3) for the Ballarat Highland Gathering to be held this coming Sunday 23 February 2020 at Victoria Park, Ballarat.
We look forward to seeing you all there.
VHPBA Funding Program for Education & Training
Applications are now open for a new Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association education and training program that will have two funding rounds in 2020.
A maximum of $5000 is available in each round to support initiatives that will benefit pipers, drummers and drum majors.
As part of that journey to determining a new structure, the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association has introduced the Funding Program. The funding rounds are additional to annual allocations already provided for the support of solo piping through the Victorian Pipers’ Association, solo drumming through Pipe Bands Victoria (the state branch of Pipe Bands Australia) and assistance to Pipe Bands Victoria for support of events at which pipe band competitions are conducted. In total, the annual financial contribution in 2020 will be $17,000.
Grants under the Funding Program will be available only by application addressing the program guidelines and criteria and able to demonstrate a benefit to the pipe band movement in Victoria.
The VHPBA Funding Program aims to assist in developing a strong and innovative pipe band scene in Victoria by:
• Supporting a broad range of education, training and engagement projects and programs by member bands and affiliated organisations.
• Supporting initiatives, programs and projects to increase the availability and accessibility of pipe bands to the public and to build audiences.
• Supporting educational and engagement projects and programs that reflect the place of pipe bands in the communities of Victoria.
• Assisting pipe bands and affiliated kindred organisations in building their sustainability and financial viability and engaging in partnerships or collaborations with government, business, organisations and communities.
The maximum grant amount for a single application shall not exceed $5000.
Applications for round one close on 2 March for projects between April and June. For application forms, visit the “About VHPBA” page link on the website header or click here.
Ted Baillieu AO
Congratulations to our Chieftain Ted Baillieu who has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours List.
We also congratulate all other members who received citizenship honours and awards on Australia Day.
PBA National Fundraiser for Bushfire Recovery
Pipe Bands Australia has launched an initiative to raise funds for the national bushfire relief and recovery appeal established by the Bendigo Bank in partnership with the Salvation Army.
Bushfires across Australia over summer have impacted many communities and affected members of our pipe band family with several, sadly, losing their homes and possessions. Members of Pipe Bands Australia have already willingly rallied to assist those affected members with replacement of instruments or uniforms.
The PBA online fundraiser has been made possible by the generous assistance of McCallum Bagpipes in Scotland and the Melbourne-based Celtic Affairs with donation of a set of bagpipes. We thank and acknowledge the kind support and assistance of McCallum Bagpipes and Celtic Affairs.
Members, families and friends supporting the PBA special effort will go into a draw to receive a set of McCallum AB4/DLC Blackwood Bagpipes with imitation ivory projecting mounts with engraved nickel plates recessed into the top surface of the projecting mounts, engraved nickel ferrules and slides, engraved nickel ringcaps, engraved nickel & imitation ivory mouthpiece (Celtic). Also included will be a Blackwood McC2 Pipe Chanter (Engraved Nickel Sole) Celtic and McCallum Bagpiper Case.
The link to support this fundraising initiative is https://www.trybooking.com/BHWUI and will remain open until 3 April with recipients of the McCallum bagpipes announced at the Australian Pipe Band Championships on the weekend of 4 and 5 April.
Bendigo Bank has partnered with The Salvation Army, to establish an appeal with 100 per cent of donated funds going directly to communities in need. The appeal will be conducted by the bank’s charitable arm, Community Enterprise Foundation. Funds raised will be used in a range of locally identified charitable areas to provide relief and recovery in the fire affected areas.
Pipe Bands Australia will also promote individual band performances and fundraising efforts for the bushfire appeals.
St Andrew’s Caledonian Pipe Band will be participating in the Fair Dinkum Fire Appeal on 31 January at Windsor Park, Launceston, Sunshine Coast Caledonian Pipes and Drums will be performing at a bush fire fundraiser at Mooloolaba Wharf on 9 February while City of Ipswich Pipe Band has announced its gathering in May will be a bushfire appeal fundraiser.
Final Week for 2020 Australian Pipe Band Championships Entries
Entries for the 2020 Australian Pipe Band Championships will officially close on Monday 3 February with the promoter, Maryborough Highland Society.
Bands and drum majors from across Australia and overseas have already entered the Pipe Bands Australia Diamond Jubilee year championships on 4 and 5 April – at least 35 bands to date.
The championships have prizemoney and trophies totalling more than $16,000 including new ongoing sponsorship from the Clan Donald Land Trust.
Following the final close of entries, the official draw will be conducted and released by Pipe Bands Australia and Pipe Bands Victoria. The promoter will distribute an information form for bands to complete its tune and band details for inclusion in the official program.
Band and drum major entries can be lodged at https://www.australianpipebandchampionships.com.au/bands-entries
Direct inquiries to the promoter
March in Gay Pride 2020
City of Melbourne Pipe Band are inviting members of other bands to join with the City of Melb PB for the 2020 Gay Pride march on Sunday 2nd of February. Wear your band uniform and extra pride items as you like. Massed band tunes. Meeting 12 noon @ Ian Johnson Oval at cnr of Fitzroy St and Lakeside Dr. Please contact Campbell Wilson CMHPB or David Telford OSPD for any further details or questions.
Funeral arrangements for the late RJK Semple OAM BEM
Bob’s family has advised that the funeral service will be held at
The Scots Church
156 Collins Street Melbourne
Wednesday 22 January 2020 at 10.30am
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the Royal Children’s Hospital Rats of Tobruk Fellowship fund.
The family would be pleased that band members and former members attending the celebration of Bob’s life wear kilts.