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Band History
Tartan - Oliphant Melvile
Motto
- A Tout Pouvoir (Provide For All)
The City of Blacktown Pipe Band was formed as the St Johns Ambulance Pipe Band, because of its close association with that movement. During 1975- 1980 the band did not have a permanent home and practices were held in various Sydney suburbs. These areas include Sydney City, Glebe, Balmain, Fairfield and Lidcombe. Despite this, it was not long before the band began to shine in the competition arena. In 1978 it was placed 3rd in the Grade 2 Australian Championships. Two years later at the next Australian Championships the band came 2nd, with a first in piping and drumming.
During 1981, The Blacktown RSL Club offered the band an annual sponsorship, and the name of the band was changed accordingly.
Still proving itself in the competition arena, the following year the band once again contested the Grade 2 Australian Championships and successfully gained 1st Place. At the conclusion of that season the band was re-graded to Grade1.
In 1982 it was decided that a Number 2 band be formed for the junior performing members. The No.2 band has done exceedingly well in competition over the past 18 years, as has the No.1 Band. The latter has competed in over 100 Grade 1 competitions and has been unplaced a dozen times. This is a tremendous record.
In 1985 there was another name change when the band formed a strong alliance with the Blacktown City Council and from this was born The City of Blacktown Pipe Band. This change provided the band with a permanent practice venue at the Blacktown Showground, where it continues to reside today.
Since becoming the City of Blacktown Pipe Band, the band has won the NSW State Pipe Band Championships, East Coast of Australia Championships and the No.2 Band has gained 2nd place in the Australian Grade 4 Championships twice. In 1990, the No.2 band won the drumming event at the Australian Championships. Due to the number of young players taught by the band, it was necessary to form a No.3 band in 1990.
No. 1 Band (Grade 1) is currently under the musical direction of PM Ainsley Hart and Drum. Sgt. Keith Tombs.
The No.2 Band currently under the direction of Lead Piper Hugh Rowan and Lead Drummer Peter Felton, and the No.3 under the direction of Lead Piper Adam Wishart and Lead Drummer Luke Barnes.
The band has represented our country in:
· Indonesia in 1983 & 1989 (inclusive).
· New Zealand 1988, 1992 2003, and 2004.
· The band has toured Europe including Scotland where both the No.1 & No.2 bands completed in Grade 1 & Grade 4 at the World Pipe Band Championships in 1992, 1995, 1998 and 2006.
The band has performed with many prominent entertainers including:
· Sir Paul McCartney
· John Farnham - Including his Area Performance
· The Battlefield Band
· The ANZAC Tattoo - Sydney
· The Brave Heart's of Scotland Spectacular - East Coast Australia tour including Sydney Opera House
· The Scotland the Brave Show - Sydney Opera House
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