General News
21 March, 2024
Australian Pipe Band Championship to bring tartan flair
After a cancelled attempt in 2020, the Australian Pipe Band Championship is officially coming home to Maryborough in April this year. Maryborough has a rich pipe band history dating back to 1857, when the Maryborough Highland Society was established...
After a cancelled attempt in 2020, the Australian Pipe Band Championship is officially coming home to Maryborough in April this year.
Maryborough has a rich pipe band history dating back to 1857, when the Maryborough Highland Society was established as a meeting place for Scottish immigrants who wanted to continue the traditions of Caledonian societies.
Maryborough was also the birth place of the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association, the world’s oldest pipe band association, in 1924 and the location of the inaurgual Australian championship back on New Year’s Day in 1961.
Sixty-three years later, approximately 700 pipers and drummers from bands across Australia and one Singapore pipe band will battle it out across various grades.
The Maryborough Highland Society will be the host of the event, as they were in 1961, with Maryborough Highland Society general manager Malcolm Blandthorn excited to finally bring the event back to the town.
“We had a false start in 2020 obviously with COVID, so it is something that has been in the works for about six years now,” he said.
“I think it is quite important, it is always great to celebrate our history and just to add another community event to Maryborough this year is wonderful.”
Mr Blandthorn said other events will be occurring at Princes Park, ensuring everyone has something to enjoy.
“It is always wonderful to get the whole township together for a community event and bring everyone together,” he said.
“We will be running a hospitality tent in the middle of the competition, so [visitors] will be able to get amongst it instead of hiding up in the stands.
“We will also be having strong men and women events as well as highland dancing in the parkland areas and another march through High Street.
“Everyone will be welcome to head back to the Highland [after the presentations] and there will be a few little events happening back there as well.”
The event starts at 9 am on Saturday, April 13 with a street parade from High Street to Princes Park, competitions starting at 10 am, and presentations at 5 pm.
For more information, visit www.championships.pipebandsaustralia.com.au