Leadership Workshop
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Sunday 30th August at the Ambulance Victoria rooms, 75 Brady Street, Port Melbourne.
9:30am to 4pm. For pipe majors, lead drummers, tutors and emerging leaders. Topics include:
Please RSVP to [email protected] |
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A Special Invitation to all Female Pipers and Drummers.
Join Us for a Historic Moment in Melbourne, Sunday July 5th.
Female pipers and drummers from across Australia and the world are invited to come together at the Melbourne Tartan Day Parade on Sunday July 5th — and be part of a world record attempt for the largest ladies' pipe band ever assembled.
The event marks a century since the Australian Ladies Pipe Band's legendary 1925–27 world tour, captivating audiences of over one million people across the globe. It also honours the women who formed the world's first ladies' pipe band in Melbourne in 1918. These were pioneers — women who faced enormous resistance and broke barriers to pursue their passion for piping and drumming.
Participation in the 2pm parade is optional. At 2.30pm, all female participants will break from the main parade to perform together in Melbourne's City Square. Whether you're a seasoned player or still learning, whether you have a uniform or not — you are welcome. All that's needed is your instrument and your enthusiasm.
Beyond the record attempt, this gathering is about celebrating the remarkable legacy of women in pipe bands and inspiring the next generation of girls and women to take up piping and drumming. Relatives of women who toured with the band in 1926 are also warmly encouraged to get in touch.
The event is a collaboration between the Melbourne Tartan Festival, City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band and Pipe Bands Victoria.
Join us as we honour the past and inspire the future. Learn more and register now at https://ausladies.link
The event marks a century since the Australian Ladies Pipe Band's legendary 1925–27 world tour, captivating audiences of over one million people across the globe. It also honours the women who formed the world's first ladies' pipe band in Melbourne in 1918. These were pioneers — women who faced enormous resistance and broke barriers to pursue their passion for piping and drumming.
Participation in the 2pm parade is optional. At 2.30pm, all female participants will break from the main parade to perform together in Melbourne's City Square. Whether you're a seasoned player or still learning, whether you have a uniform or not — you are welcome. All that's needed is your instrument and your enthusiasm.
Beyond the record attempt, this gathering is about celebrating the remarkable legacy of women in pipe bands and inspiring the next generation of girls and women to take up piping and drumming. Relatives of women who toured with the band in 1926 are also warmly encouraged to get in touch.
The event is a collaboration between the Melbourne Tartan Festival, City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band and Pipe Bands Victoria.
Join us as we honour the past and inspire the future. Learn more and register now at https://ausladies.link
2025/26 Contests
Our 2025/26 contest season has now finished. Thank you to all involved for your contributions to 5 fantastic days of competition: officials, adjudicators, bands and our wonderful contest promoters.
To bands travelling to the Australian Championships in Perth, we pass on our best wishes for an enjoyable and successful trip.
To bands travelling to the Australian Championships in Perth, we pass on our best wishes for an enjoyable and successful trip.
Completed contests:
| Mastersheet - Croydon - Vic.Champs 2026 |
| Mastersheet - Haileybury 2026 |
| Mastersheet - Ballarat 2026 |
| Mastersheet - Daylesford 2025 |
| Mastersheet - Bendigo 2025 |
2026 Sir Rupert Hamer Award - Andrew Womersley
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Pipe Bands Victoria is delighted to announce Mr Andrew Womersley as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Sir Rupert Hamer Award. The award is the highest honour our organisation bestows on a person and acknowledges a significant contribution and personal commitment to supporting the objectives of Pipe Bands Victoria and Pipe Bands Australia over a period of many years.
Andrew started drumming in 1970 with the Mitcham Pipe Band of Adelaide, then a Grade 3 band, at the age of seven under the tuition of Cyril Bell where he remained until 1980, joining the City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band in Grade 1. He spent seven years with Melbourne, finishing as Lead Drummer. During that time, he led the corps to the title of Victorian Grade 1 Drum Corps Champions. In 1988, Andrew joined the Victoria Police Pipe Band in a first stint, under prominent Lead Drummers Andrew Scullion, Paul Turner and Harold Gillespie. In 2015 until present, he returned to the Victoria Police where he regularly performs at community, ceremonial and State functions. In 1996, Andrew was appointed Drumming Instructor at Scotch College Melbourne and then in 2002, he took up the position of Teacher in Charge of Pipes and Drums at Presbyterian Ladies’ College where he remained for nearly 14 years. In 2010 Andrew became a Drumming Adjudicator and also in that year earned his Teaching Diploma. He later joined the ranks of the Ensemble Adjudicators. He is currently the Australian Pipe Band College Vice Principal for Drumming in Victoria. He is the recipient of the Peter Clohesy Award for services to pipe band drumming and served as Vice President of the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association from 2002-2003 and 2013-2018 and as President from 2003-2004. Andrew is regularly invited to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur as an eminent adjudicator, and to teach, mentor bands, and judge competitions. Andrew’s lifelong service, distinguished performance career, and sustained contribution to teaching, mentoring and adjudication make him a highly worthy recipient of the Sir Rupert Hammer Award. Stephen Matthews, Chair, Pipe Bands Victoria |
📢 Annual General Meeting
At the recent 2025 Annual General Meeting, PBV's Executive Committee were reappointed unopposed.
Chair: Stephen Matthews
Vice Chair x 2: Ken Michael and Michael Stewart
Secretary: Caroline Troup
Assistant Secretary: Stephanie Scott
Treasurer: Chris Bouwmeester
Chair: Stephen Matthews
Vice Chair x 2: Ken Michael and Michael Stewart
Secretary: Caroline Troup
Assistant Secretary: Stephanie Scott
Treasurer: Chris Bouwmeester
🏆 2024-25 Contest Results
| Victorian Solo Drumming Championships - 15-Sep-2024 |
| Horsham contest results - 7-Sep-2024 |
| Bendigo contest results - 9-Nov-2024 |
| 2024 Daylesford Street March mastersheet |
| 2024 Daylesford mastersheet |
| 2025 Ballarat mastersheet |
| 2025 Croydon mastersheet |
| 2025 Haileybury mastersheet |
| 2025 Maryborough / Victorian Championships mastersheet |
Vale Mr Bruce Neal OAM
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Statement from the Chair
It is with sadness that I communicate that Bruce passed away this morning (14 January 2025) aged around 90 in Dromana, surviving his wife Grace. He will be well remembered as a long-time drummer (Melbourne Highland, Victorian Scottish Regiment), Haileybury drum tutor 1979-1999 and, of course, President of the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association from 1976-1994 (Vice President 1970-1976). He was also president of the Australian Federation of Pipe Band Associations (AFPBA - the forerunner of Pipe Bands Australia) from 1987-1995. |
All who knew him will remember him as something of a force of nature, and as a man who always worked to further the interests of Pipe Bands in Victoria and Australia. His services were recognised by the awarding of a Medal of the Order of Australia and multiple Life Memberships (VHPBA, PBV, PBA).
To me though, he was my teacher, and a very large reason for where I am today in the world of pipe bands.
Sincere condolences to his family.
There are not details yet, of a memorial service.
Rest in Peace, Bruce.
Stephen Matthews
Chair, Pipe Bands Victoria
To me though, he was my teacher, and a very large reason for where I am today in the world of pipe bands.
Sincere condolences to his family.
There are not details yet, of a memorial service.
Rest in Peace, Bruce.
Stephen Matthews
Chair, Pipe Bands Victoria
🔔 Victoria has a new World Champion band
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From Karen Wallace, PBV Chair
Dear Victorian Pipe Band Community Over 200 bands competed across 9 grades at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Amazing! This year, 4 Victorian bands ventured over to Glasgow to share their music - Old Scotch Pipes and Drums (Grade 3B), Ambulance Victoria Pipes and Drums (Grade 4B), Scotch College Pipes and Drums No.1 (Novice Juvenile A), and Scotch College Pipes and Drums No.2 (Novice Juvenile B). Well done to all bands. To have so many bands play in the Worlds is simply fabulous and a reflection of the vibrant pipe band community in Victoria. But, hot off the press overnight ....... Scotch College Pipes and Drums No.2 band are crowned Novice Juvenile B World Champions. ... [MORE] |
Grading Reviews
In accordance with the PBA Contest Regulations, the Association has concluded its biennial post-APBA
grading reviews of all registered bands. The decisions of the Association Grading Committee have been
ratified by the Committee and apply with immediate effect. The Committee would like to congratulate all bands on their gradings for the 2024/25 year and wish them well in the forthcoming competitions.
grading reviews of all registered bands. The decisions of the Association Grading Committee have been
ratified by the Committee and apply with immediate effect. The Committee would like to congratulate all bands on their gradings for the 2024/25 year and wish them well in the forthcoming competitions.
| Biennial Grading Review |
| 2024 Victorian band gradings |
Victorian Solo Drumming Championships - Sun Sep 15
In conjunction with PBV, Haileybury is hosting the Victorian Solo Drumming Championships on Sunday September 15th.
Congratulations to all competitors. A huge contest - 97 individual entrants and more than 170 elements.
Congratulations to all competitors. A huge contest - 97 individual entrants and more than 170 elements.
| Haileybury solos draw v2.1 11-Sep-2024 |
| Flyer and event details |
| Solo drumming programme 2024-25.pdf |
Results - placegetters
Horsham mini band, quartet and solo drumming contests - Sat Sep 7
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The contests will be held at the Botanical Gardens, Firebrace Street, Horsham (see map).
See below for the contest draw and contest information. Following the contest band members are welcome to gather together and purchase dinner from 6pm at the White Hart Hotel, 55 Firebrace Street, Horsham. After dinner, hospitality is kindly provided at the home of Horsham City Pipe Band: Jubilee Hall, Roberts Avenue, Horsham from 8.30pm -10.30pm. |
| Horsham Contests draw - V2 5-Sept-2024 |
| Flyer and entry details |
| Contest information |
| Results mastersheet |
Victorian Pipers Association (VPA) 2024 programme
The Victorian Pipers Association aims to promote, foster and continually develop the great highland bagpipe in Victoria.
Competition dates and music requirements have been announced for the VPA's 2024 season.
Competition 1 – Haileybury, April 28th 2024
Competition 2 – Ballarat Grammar, May 19th 2024
Competition 3 – Scotch College, June 1st 2024
Competition 4 – Camperdown, June 22th 2024
Competition 5 – Scots Albury, July 6th 2024
Competition 6 - 2024 Victorian Championships – PLC, July 27th 2024
Competition 1 – Haileybury, April 28th 2024
Competition 2 – Ballarat Grammar, May 19th 2024
Competition 3 – Scotch College, June 1st 2024
Competition 4 – Camperdown, June 22th 2024
Competition 5 – Scots Albury, July 6th 2024
Competition 6 - 2024 Victorian Championships – PLC, July 27th 2024
Vice Principal appointments
With the recent establishment of the Victorian College Branch Committee, I am delighted to announce the appointments of five Vice Principals to the Victorian College, effective 1st July 2024 and for a tenure of two years.
I offer my congratulations to them all and wish them every future success in these important leadership roles.
Vice Principal Piping: David Telford
Vice Principal Drumming: Andrew Womersley
Vice Principal Ensemble: Stephen Matthews
Vice Principal Drill & Dress: Nola Blake
Vice Principal Rules & Admin: Mick Ryan
On behalf of Pipe Bands Victoria, I also extend my sincere thanks to past Vice Principals Scott Nicolson, Rob Bennett and Chris Earl for their many years of service representing their respective Panels and their considerable work in support of our community.
Yours sincerely
Karen Wallace
Chair, Pipe Bands Victoria
I offer my congratulations to them all and wish them every future success in these important leadership roles.
Vice Principal Piping: David Telford
Vice Principal Drumming: Andrew Womersley
Vice Principal Ensemble: Stephen Matthews
Vice Principal Drill & Dress: Nola Blake
Vice Principal Rules & Admin: Mick Ryan
On behalf of Pipe Bands Victoria, I also extend my sincere thanks to past Vice Principals Scott Nicolson, Rob Bennett and Chris Earl for their many years of service representing their respective Panels and their considerable work in support of our community.
Yours sincerely
Karen Wallace
Chair, Pipe Bands Victoria
| Statement from the Chair - Vice Principal appointments |
2023-24 Contest Results
| 2024 Australian Pipe Band Championships - Master Sheet |
| 2024 APBC Street march - Master Sheet |
| 2024 Victorian Championships - Croydon Master Sheet |
| 2024 Haileybury Master Sheet |
| 2024 Ballarat Grammar Master Sheet |
| 2023 Daylesford Master Sheet |
🔔 On Sale - 2024 Australian Pipe Band Championships merchandise
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A limited amount of APBC2024 merchandise (hoodies, t-shirts, beanies, scarves etc) remains available for sale.
If you missed the chance on the day, or you were unable to get to Maryborough in person, then here is your opportunity to pick up the t-shirt or hoodie that you so desperately wanted to get and missed out on. They make great presents, especially for the piper or drummer you love so much and who played on the day. What a lovely surprise that would be for them! Or, even better, treat yourself! In future years, when folk ask you "where you at those brilliant championships in Maryborough in 2024?", you can reply "Was I there? I have the t-shirt!!" It the Woodstock moment in Australian pipe band history! Don't be the sad person without the merch! All sales are through Maryborough Highland Society but proceeds will help support PBV. There is even a generous discount. This link will take you straight there! Don't wait though, stock is limited. |
🔔 Calling for applications to join the Victorian College Branch Committee
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The Victorian Branch Council is seeking applications for a newly constituted College Branch Committee. The purpose of the College Branch Committee is to administer and support the College Branch in it's role to:
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🔔 2024 Sir Rupert Hamer Award Recipient - Mr Chris Bouwmeester
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Pipe Bands Victoria is delighted to announce Mr Christopher Bouwmeester as the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Sir Rupert Hamer Award.
The award is the highest honour our organisation bestows on a person and acknowledges a significant contribution and personal commitment to supporting the objectives of Pipe Bands Victoria and Pipe Bands Australia over a period of many years.... [MORE] |
🔔 Glenn Brown Recital - Saturday April 6th
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On behalf of Pipe Bands Victoria (PBV) and the Victorian Piping Association (VPA)
Join us this Saturday April 6th from 7-9pm at MCC Bowls Club, 19-23 Swinburne Ave, Hawthorn for a wonderful night of piping featuring Glenn Brown. Originally from Canada and now residing in Scotland, Glenn Brown is one of the World’s top pipers. He has won the Gold Medal at Inverness, the Senior Piobaireachd at Oban, the piobaireachd at the Glenfiddich, and numerous World championships with Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia pipe band. Truly a world class piper and we’re privileged to have him here. Glenn will be supported by our very own Jack Watson from City of Melbourne and Hawthorn pipe bands. Jack is a great young player recently promoted to A grade and had some great success just recently up at the Maclean gathering on the solo boards. Tickets are only $15 via trybooking or $20 on the door. To purchase online please use this link https://www.trybooking.com/CQDCF Event details can also be found on the Victorian Pipers’ Association website www.pipingvictoria.com We hope to see you there! |
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