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News of the last six months
* older news items are in the news archive. Within each month, the most recent news entries are at the top.
CURRENT NEWS:
- Remember, the 2012 Australian Pipe Band Championship is to be held in Ballarat after a successful tender co-ordinated by the University of Ballarat Pipe Band. Visit the website at www.australianpipebandchampionships.com.au and 'Like' the event on Facebook.
January 2012
The Band was once again represented at the Australian Road National Championship cycling at Buninyong which attracted an estimated 20,000 spectators. We had pipers at the start and finish of the 'King of the Mountain' section up Mt Buninyong. Our players featured every lap on the live SBS telecast. Also present was the 2012 Australian Pipe Band Championship promotion bus (pictured earlier). Davis Buses provided the free shuttle from the start/finish area to the top of the course, and was therefore prominent all day for the large crowd.
Sue Brant and Andrew Bell play ath the 2012 Australian Road National Championship at the start of the 'King of the Mountain' section. Eventual winner, Simon Gerrans is the fifth rider in the group just above the neck of Andrew's bag!
December 2011
The University of Ballarat Pipe Band would like to announce that Scott Nicolson has stepped down as Pipe Major and we thank him for his efforts and all the good things he has brought to the Band in the past year. He is to be replaced in an interim Pipe Major capacity by Neil MacDonald, long time member of the Band. Neil brings a wealth of experience and has played also with Bendigo Golden City, Grade 1 Victoria Police under Nat Russell and with the Western Australia Police when they won their Grade 2 World Championship in Glasgow in 1998.
Spotted around Ballarat... the Davis Bus featuring the 20is 12 Australian Pipe Band Championships promotion (and piper Tegan Willey), courtesy of the University of Ballarat. The band is aware that the radio and television campaigns, as well as the bus advertising is raising awareness of the event.
Spotted on the back of the No 10 Buninyong bus (which stops at UB Mt Helen) running into Ballarat central. Excellent promotion of both the Championships and the Band.
A large crowd was again present this year as the Band played at Sovereign Hill's Chritsmas shopping evening. The Band played for an hour, joined on serveral occasions by dancers, courtesy of Christine Plover. The crowd of Christmas shoppers and tourists remained gathered around the Band for the entire hour, truly appreciating the spectacle and sound in the historic surroundings. It would be true to say that this is one of the more interesting and fun engagements the Band plays at each year.
The Band - and dancers - performing in the picturesque and historical surroundings of Sovereign Hill.
The 60th Daylesford Highland gathering proved to be a busy and eventful day for the Band. For the first time since the late 1990s, we fielded a Juvenile band. Although an ad hoc venture, in many ways, it was ably led by Tim Koenig and featured Brenna Haroutunian (usually a tenor drummer) on bass.
Congratulations go to first time players with the Band at a full band contest, namely Kate O'Connor (Grade 2 tenor), Peter Llewelyn (Grade 4 piper), Felicity Wait (Grade 4 piper) and Dillon MacLean (Grade 4 piper). It was great also, to have former long-standing Pipe Major and Life member Rob Kerr over from Western Australia for a visit.
The No 2 Band had a standout day coming first in the aggregate competition by a massive 15.5 points winning piping and drumming in both elements in the process. Leah Watson, on her first outing as leading drummer of the Band was pleased to accept the drum corps prize for the day and thanks go to Stephen Matthews for coming out of competition retirement to fill in on bass (the first time he had done so in a contest since 1983!). A big well done goes to the Scots School Albury who placed third on the day. They have only recently returned to competition and there is a UBPB connection as Grade 2 drummers Tom Mewett and Kate O'Connor both tutor at the school. Watch the Grade 4 contest elements below:
The Grade 4 contest performances at the 60th Daylesford Highland Gathering.
Grade 2 had its first big hit out against strong rivals Hawthorn and Moorabbin. As expected, the drumming was a close-run thing with UBPB willing the MSR and Moorabbin taking the medley; Moorabbin just pipping us for overall drumming honours. As a band, the Grade 2s placed third overall ahead of Warrnambool & District. Watch the Grade 2 contest elements here:
The Grade 2 contest performances at the 60th Daylesford Highland Gathering.
The day was topped off by drumming solos, with Tim Bodey and Grace McKelvey competing.
A small playout for a UFS Dispensaries dinner at Ballarat's Craig's Royal Hotel.
November 2011
The Invermay Wine Festival was supported by a mini band. Some of the producers represented at the event are already organised to participate in the food and wine festival at the Australian Pipe Band Championships the Band is hosting next Easter.
The Band played for the end of year parade of the 300 Army Cadet Unit at Ranger Barracks. The parade was in the full format with markers, the National Flag Party, salutes, marching past in column of route and advance in review order. The Band performed flawlessly.
Our annual playout at the Ballarat Show was a great success this year. A large contingent, along with around twenty highland dancers played over a period of two hours. The day offered the opportunity for the Grade 2 and Grade 4 bands to play their contest sets in a public setting, which adds just that little bit of pressure. With only a short period until the opening of the 2011-2012 contest season, this was timely indeed.
The band and dancers play at the 20112 Ballarat Show.
The Band was honoured to lead the parade of the Creswick Light Horse, 5th/7th & 2nd Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment veterans, and Ballarat's 300 Army Cadet Unit along Sturt Street to the newly renovated, iconic Ballarat Arch of Victory. A crowd gathered to watch the Governor General of Australia, Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC CVO, re-open the Arch which was originally opened in 1920 by the Prince of Wales. Incidentally, the Ballarat Caledonian Society Pipe Band played for the Prince during his Ballarat visit that year (see the image of that band here), adding a nice touch of symmetry to things. Sue Brant played a solo during the formalities.
Now and then... The Ballarat Arch of Victory, completed in 1920 (right) and renovated and reopened in 2011 (left). Behind the re-opening image can be seen the first of the more than 3,900 trees stretching over 22 km forming the Avenue of Honour that is dedicated to servicemen and women from Ballarat. This includes former members of our Pipe Band; some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
A selection of images from the Arch of Victory parade. The Creswick Light Horse Troop can be seen immediately behind the Band. One of the pictures shows Nathan 'Bazza' Keane giving the new bass drum heads their first run. Thanks to Stuart Kerr for the images.
The Governor General then went to Ballarat Grammar to open the school's Centennial building and she was piped into the ceremony by UBPB and school Year 12 Bayne Bradshaw.
After a long wait, the Band's two Pearl bass drums now have new heads. The heads feature the University of Ballarat name along with the "Learn to succeed" slogan. They look very sleek, and importantly, sound fantastic, producing a great tone.
The new bass head design. This can be compared with the original, below, in the October mini band image.
For something a little different, our Pipe Major, Scott Nicolson has been recognised as a 'featured artist' by the RG Hardie & Company bagpipe company based in Glasgow. You can check out Scott's feature article here. Congratulations on the recognition for yourself and the Band, Scott!
October 2011
For the first time in quite some years, not only did the Band field a mini band in a contest, but it was a Juvenile band made up of the younger (well, under 18) members. The event was held at Scotch College in Melbourne. In the Juvenile competition, the pipers placed 5th and the drummers managed an impressive 1st. The Band also competed in Grade 4 with pipers coming 4th and the drummers 2nd.
It was a great opportunity for the younger players to compete independently and gain experience. To make it work there was some 'mix and matching' with usual piper Aram Haroutunian played Bass, usual tenor drummer Madison Nicholls played snare and Tim Koenig took on the role of 'pipey'.
The Juvenile mini band at Scotch College, L to R: Aram, Griffyn, Brenna, Tim, Bayne, Maddie, Dillon and Angus.
The mini band warms up outside Scotch. Incidentally, Scotch College's original pipe tutor, P/M Danny McPherson, who was a member of the Ballarat Caledonian Society Pipe Band in the 1920s, used to teach the learner pipers in Room 41 during 1946, which is located just above and to the right of where the band is pictured here. In another coincidence, current band member Stephen Matthews began his teaching career in the very same Room 41, teaching Geography. P/M McPherson can be seen seated at the right end of the front row in this image from 1920.
As part of the advertising campaign for the Australian Championships, promoted by the UBPB, WIN Television has produced a short event awareness advertisement that has begun screening. Footage of the Band from the Ballarat Contest, earlier this year, features prominently.
The UBPB was honoured to have University Vice Chancellor David Battersby host a dinner for committed sponsors, potential sponsors and other supporters of the Australian Pipe Band Championships at Prospects, the University's training restaurant. A full house was treated to truly excellent food and service whilst having the opportunity to learn more about the Band, the Championships and importantly, to network. It was an exceptionally successful night and the Band thanks David and the University for their generosity and hospitality. There are sure to be positive outcomes for the Championships as a result of this evening.
The Grade 4s took part in a 'mock contest' to simulate the timings and conditions that would be experienced on a contest day (changeable weather and all). Pipe Major Scott Nicolson and drummer Stephen Matthews are both APBA adjudicators and wrote detailed, blunt critiques for the Band from an ensemble point of view, with Scott focussing more on the piping and Stephen the drumming. Afterwards, for around half an hour, each element was discussed to highlight the good points and the areas for improvement. It proved to be a very worthwhile exercise.
September 2011
Although a quiet month in terms of playouts, both bands have been busy preparing competition sets for the forthcoming season, using the lull in public activity to best advantage.
August 2011
The Band's annual playout at the University of Ballarat's Mt Helen and SMB campuses provided the opportunity for members to turn out in the slightly modified uniform. The green socks, pale blue flashes and navy blue striped ties have been replaced by solid black ties and black socks with silver flashes, providing a good contrast to the Ancient Caledonia tartan whilst picking up some of its colours. Everyone is pleased with the resulting look.
Pictures from the University of Ballarat Open Day featuring the Band's new look black socks, ties and silver flashes.
On his return home from Scotland, Pipe Major Scott Nicolson stopped off in Hong Kong to catch up with UBPB piping recruit Stuart Fung. We welcome Stuart and look forward to seeing him in Australia in the near future.
UBPB piper Stuart Fung at a practice with P/M Scott Nicolson in Hong Kong.
Scotland III: Worlds wash-up. Another year, another Worlds. Several band members here in Australia braved the long hours into the night to watch the BBC live video stream of the Grade 1 event and the quality was exceptional; both of the feed and of the Grade 1 contest this year. Without a doubt, the final was one of the tightest and certainly of the highest musical standard ever seen.
Pipe Major Scott Nicolson, along with Blair Hodson, Anton Hodson and Kerry Ballantyne, had their guest outing with RAF Leuchars - Salex Galileo in the Grade 4A qualifier. A staggering thirty-seven bands took part in Grade 4A divided into two qualification heats. RAF Leuchars finished thirteenth of eighteen bands in their heat, not going through to the final.
Congratulations to Tim Bodey, Ben Hood and UBPB guest Tom Hill, playing with the Canterbury Caledonian Society, especially in their sensational fourth place finish in drumming out of the thirteen bands vieing for qualification. In the drumming, Canterbury actually beat three bands which went on to the Grade 1 Final; a fine effort of which James Laughlin can be proud. On that form, the Canterbury Drum Corps would have placed around tenth in the drumming final results! Unfortunately, Canterbury did not qualify, although they finished in the top six with all judges bar one in piping. Watch the BBC's on-demand video stream below.
A big well done to former UBPB piper Amber Ives who played with Torphichen and Bathgate in the qualifier and managed to feature on the BBC telecast prominently (see below)! Finally in Worlds news, we congratulate former UBPB tutor Ian Lyons who won his second Grade 1 World Championship with Field Marshal Montgomery (the first being in 1998 with the Victoria Police). This was a thoroughly deserved result!
Amber Ives playing with Torphichen and Bathgate in the Grade 1 Qualifier at the World Pipe Band Championships, 2011.
We look forward to ctaching up with all the travellers and hearing the stories from all involved. Undoubtedly, there will be another group of University of Ballarat Pipe Band representatives somewhere in Scotland again in 2012. The Band itself still has the medium term goal of competing in its own right, something to look forward to.
Scotland II. Backing up their contest performance from the previous day in North Berwick, the Canterbury Caledonian Society played at the Bridge of Allan competition. On this occasion, nine bands played, including three playing up from Grade 2. Canterbury had another well-deserved second in drumming to Inveraray and District, one of the serious top four contenders for next week's World Pipe Band Championships. Drum Sergeant James Laughlin, no stranger to the UBPB, was pleased with the result, posting on facebook: "Very pleased with my guys in the corps, another steady run".
You can frequently spot Tim Bodey in the background of this Scotland TV YouTube video interview with P/M Richard Hawke from the Canterbury Cales, talking of the band's post-earthquake efforts to get to the Worlds.
Canterbury Cales playing at Piping Live! in Glasgow with Tim Bodey on the far right and James Laughlin between the two tenors. Ben Hood was there, apparently obscured by a tenor!
Scotland: let the games begin! First results for our travellers have come back. Pipe Major Scott Nicolson with new UBPB members Blair Hodson, Anton Hodson and Kerry Ballantyne competed at the Inverkeithing contest on 6 August in Grade 4 as guests with RAF Leuchars - Salex Galileo. The band placed first in the competition of three bands; well done!
Check out the Air Force: UBPB guests with RAF Leuchars - Salex Galileo, Kerry Ballantyne, our P/M Scott Nicolson, Anton Hodson and Blair Hodson pictured at the Inverkeithing contest.
In other Scotland contest news, Tim Bodey, Ben Hood and Tom Hill played at the North Berwick contest, also on 6 August. Canterbury Caledonian Society played in Grade 1 in a field of six bands, two from Scotland, two from the United States and one from England in addition to the Kiwi band. Canterbury placed third overall to Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia and Dysart and Dundonald, both bands with amazing contest pedigrees stretching back many years at the highest level. The terrific aspect for our travellers was the fact the Canterbury Drum Corps placed second in the contest to Boghall; a great achievement!
It is that time of the year again... The Worlds! Once again, we have a healthy contingent of players and spectators from our ranks making the annual pilgrimage to Glasgow Green for the World Pipe Band Championships. Firstly, and as with last year, Band President and Drum Sergeant, Tim Bodey along with Ben Hood join UBPB guest player Tom Hill to play with the Canterbury Caledonian Society, joined by Band Secretary Michelle Bodey. Pipe Major Scott Nicolson is playing on this occasion as a guest with RAF Leuchars - Salex Galileo (that's correct - the Royal Air Force), joining new UBPB Kiwi recruits Kerry Ballantyne, Blair and Anton Hodson. Also travelling to catch the Championships are UBPB pipers Asela Wimalatissa and Ian Ives with his wife (former Band Secretary) Vicky, who are once again supporting their daughter and former UBPB piper Amber, who plays with Torphichen and Bathgate. So once again, we are being well represented in the best possible way in Scotland. Stay tuned for results as they unfold.
Band overview
Our Band has a history dating back more than 100 years. The Band is made up of three former Ballarat Pipe Bands; the Ballarat Highland, Ballarat Ladies and Ballarat Scottish. All three Bands have a rich history of success, both on and off the competition field.
Since 1995 the Pipe Band is fortunate to have the support of one of Australia's most progressive and exciting educational institutions. The Band works hard to promote the University of Ballarat ethos by teaching learner pipers and drummers, and is one of the few bands to boast an ability to maintain its numbers with locally taught musicians, although many experienced players have chosen to join as well.
In 2008, numbers were such that the organisation was able to support two separate Bands, one promoted once more to Grade 2 in mid 2009 - comprising experienced players - and a second Band in Grade 4 to give learners an avenue through which to gain invaluable experience, yet still compete. For non-competition performances, the Bands play together to produce a large, impressive sight and sound. The UBPB currently boasts about 60 playing members on its books.
Marching down the main street of Clunes - a typical ANZAC Day
Our Band performs regularly at many University and civic functions such as University Graduation Ceremonies, ANZAC Day, and the Ballarat Begonia Festival Parade as examples. We are also very committed to competition to hone our playing skill and in recent years we have been successful as Grade 3 Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific Champions.
The partnership with the University of Ballarat has been very successful and enables the Band to award scholarships to Band members who study at UB, or to encourage pipers and drummers who study at the University of Ballarat to play with our Band.
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