Getting ready for a busy 2024 Pipe Band calendar

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has enjoyed a fantastic Festive Season. I know we are all looking forward to a busy two months with upcoming Pipe Bands Victoria contests, including the Australian Pipe Band Championships on 13th April 2024 in Maryborough. My thanks to Euan for keeping our community up to date over the summer with his customary informative emails!

Just a courtesy reminder before the season gets underway again. 

• All PBV contests, including APBC2024, have been open for entries on trybooking since 25th September 2023. 
• No late entries will be accepted for any contests and I ask that bands please note the following closing dates for entry:
• Ballarat Grammar School Twilight contest - 10th February.
• Australian Pipe Band Championships - 10th February.
• Australian Drum Major Championships - 10th February.
• Haileybury contest - 25th February.
• Victorian Pipe Band Championships, MHG&CF Croydon - 2nd March.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Administration for contests: 
All dual registration approval letters and completed forms must be presented at sign in at contests by both the band of registration and the senior band. Similarly, forms for any interchange players should be completed and presented at sign in too. The contest season resumes in a month's time and, given there are then 4 contests scheduled within a 6 week period, another courtesy reminder to attend to any band membership registrations or dual registration matters. Several dual registrations were approved by Council at the last Branch meeting in November 2023. Any further Victorian dual registration requests to the Branch could be considered by Council at the upcoming meeting on 11th February - after that requests will be referred to the Branch Executive until post APBC2024. Any dual registrations for the 11th Feb meeting should ideally be lodged with the Secretary in the next couple of days. Any special dispensations for the season should be submitted to the Secretary at [email protected] for consideration by Contest Supervisors too. Thank you in anticipation.

APBC2024: A Street Parade is planned in Maryborough from 9.15am (TBC) on 13th April. To honour the home of the first Australian Championships in 1961, Maryborough & District Highland Pipe Band will lead the Parade along with Drum Major in Charge and current Australian Champion, Dominic Andersen-Strudwick. A final call out to all PBA registered, non - competing bands to join in the Parade too. The starting point is outside The Bull and Mouth Hotel on the High Street marching down to Princes Park. We need an idea of band numbers for Council management on the day, so if you would like to join in the celebration, please enter your band asap via the APBC2024 trybooking site. STREET PARADE ENTRY IS FREE and wristbands will also be provided to all non-competing band members for FREE ENTRY to Princes Park for the Championships. Don't miss out on a fabulous opportunity to celebrate our vibrant Victorian pipe band community and also acknowledge the VHPBA centenary. 
The APBC2024 committee convenes again this weekend as we look to enter the final phase of arrangements for the Championships. 
Transport for all international / interstate adjudicators is arranged, but a few emergency volunteer drivers would be helpful for 11th and 12th April, should any flights be delayed. If anyone would like to volunteer for this or on the day itself, eg runners, contest office admin etc, please let me know. Your support would be most welcome and greatly appreciated.

2024 Sir Ruper Hamer Award nominations are open. Please consider nominating a member of our community for this prestigious award, forwarding all forms and references to the Secretary please. Nominations close 5pm Friday 1st March. The award will be presented at the Victorian Championships on 24th March 2024.

Tim McLeod OAM: PBV congratulates past PBV President and Life Member, Tim McLeod, on receiving an Order of Australia Medal in the 2024 Australia Day Honours List.

Midsumma Pride March 4th February: my thanks to Katherine Gekas, City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band. Katherine advises that any pipers and drummers participating on Sunday should meet on the Ian Johnstone Oval, St Kilda at 10.30am - Wave L. I am so disappointed that I'm unable to march this year, but know everyone will have a great time. Wishing you a fabulous day! 

PBV Branch Council Meeting on 11th February. Finally, I encourage all Councillors to attend our first Council meeting of 2024. Euan has issued the Agenda, along with important Discussion and Decision Papers for consideration. Please join us if you can, either in person or via Zoom; the Executive is directed by Council and your input is essential. 

With my very best wishes to all and I look forward to seeing you on 11th February 2024. 
Karen ​