Band and Member Awards

The Sir Rupert Hamer Award

The Sir Rupert Hamer Award is awarded annually in honour of our inaugural Chieftain, Sir Rupert Hamer AC, KCMG, ED.

Nominees should be persons who have made a significant personal commitment in support of the objectives of Pipe Bands in Victoria and the V.H.P.B.A. over a period of many years. The nominees support can be as a piper, drummer, drum major, tutor, administrator, or a combination of musician/administrator.

Nominations close on the second Friday of March each year. Refer to the nomination form for additional details.

Sir Rupert Hamer Award 2021 Nomination Form
Previous Award Recipients

The Peter Clohesy Memorial Shield

The Peter Clohesy Memorial Shield is awarded annually in memory of drumming adjudicator Peter Clohesy. The perpetual shield, donated by Peter’s family, acknowledges an outstanding contribution to highland drumming and includes all disciplines (basic, tenor and/or snare).

The Award is determined by two members of the Drumming Panel and most recent recipient of the Sir Rupert Hamer Award.  The award is announced and presented at the annual Daylesford Highland Gathering in December.

Nominations close on the first Friday of November each year. Refer to the nomination form for additional details.

Clohesy Nomination Form
Previous Award Recipients

Access Parts Pty Ltd | Pipe Band Awards

Chris Hosking and Access (Auto) Parts Pty Ltd have sponsored a number of awards for pipe bands at Victorian competitions for a number of years. We congratulate Chris on this continued initiative.

Grade 4

The Duncan MacLennan MBE Memorial Trophy has been awarded since 1997 for the best Grade 4 band Drill at the Geelong Highland Gathering. This was more recently modified to include Dress as well, and is awarded to the band with the highest total aggregate [piping and drumming] scores for the whole Victorian competition season. A tie (if applicable) is decided by reference to total points for the Medley scores.

The Ernie Cartwright Memorial Shield has been awarded since 2009 for the overall band performance in Grade 4, starting with just the RSL Pipe Bands. This is now awarded to the band with the highest total scores for Dress and Drill, for the whole Victorian competition season. A tie (if applicable) is decided by reference to Drill scores.

Grade 3

The Ernie Cartwright Memorial Cup has been awarded since 2002 for the best Grade 3 band Drill, at the Geelong Highland Gathering. This was later modified to include Dress scores. The Ernie Cartwright Memorial Cup is now awarded to the band with the highest total scores for Dress and Drill, for the whole Victorian competition season. A tie (if applicable) is decided by reference to Drill scores.

Grade 2

The Bill Bruce Memorial Trophy has been awarded since 2010, for total piping points achieved by Victorian Pipe Bands in a Victorian Pipe Band Competition season.

Pipe Bands Australia Awards

Pipe Bands Australia offers a series of awards to recognise outstanding service by members. Available on application, are recognition of 25 and 50 years of service. For the complete list of awards offered by Pipe Bands Australia, visit pipebands.asn.au/awards