General News
12 January, 2023
Pipe band championships to put Maryborough on the map
Bands from across the country are set to travel to Maryborough next year as part of the Australian Pipe Band Championships, with the event returning to town for the first time in 60 years. The national competition was due to return to Maryborough in...
Bands from across the country are set to travel to Maryborough next year as part of the Australian Pipe Band Championships, with the event returning to town for the first time in 60 years.
The national competition was due to return to Maryborough in April 2020 for its diamond jubilee event but following two postponements, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020 event would have been a symbolic one, marking the 60th championships in the town where the inaugural Australian Pipe Band Championships were held back in 1961.
Taking place over one day on Saturday, April 13, 2024, Maryborough Highland Society general manager Malcolm Blandthorn said the event’s return was exciting.
“The championships themselves started in Maryborough and it’s exciting to be able to bring that back to Maryborough and the community,” he said.
“We were quite disappointed we couldn’t go ahead with the 2020 event, so when Pipe Bands Victoria were given the opportunity to have the event again, they came straight to us and asked if we wanted to run it which of course we did.
“The event will attract all the best pipe bands from around Australia and internationally as well, it’s a big thing for the community.”
Last held in Victoria in 2014, when Ballarat played host to the championships, planning is already underway for the Maryborough event, which will be held at Princes Park and feature a street parade and Girl on the Drum performance.
Mr Blandthorn said planning for the event is in its early stages, but organisers were looking to add a “local flair” to the national event.
“We’re looking forward to building on what past events have offered and bringing our local flair to it, it’ll be similar to what we do with the Highland Gathering to make it a bigger and better event,” he said.
“We had 30 bands booked in for the 2020 event and it’s looking to be over 30 next year.
“As well as the 20 or so band members, they also bring their families and other people involved, as well as the spectators who will come to Maryborough for this.
“This is going to bring a lot of people to Maryborough and a lot of money into the economy, it’ll really put Maryborough on the map which is great for everyone.”
Pipe Bands Victoria chair Karen Wallace said the event will bring bands from across Australia and internationally to Maryborough.
“Pipe Bands Victoria is privileged and honoured to be working alongside the Maryborough Highland Society to host the Australian Pipe Band Championships at the beautiful Princes Park, Maryborough, in April next year,” she said.
“Plans are progressing, with an anticipation of over 30 Australian, New Zealand and international pipe bands in attendance as well as international judges and several recitals around the town during the weekend.”
Ms Wallace said the 2024 event will also mark the 100th anniversary of the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association, which formed in Maryborough in 1924.
“Pipe Bands Victoria are particularly pleased to see the championships return to Maryborough. It was in Maryborough in 1924 that the idea for an independent pipe band association was first born,” she said.
“The resultant Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association, celebrating its centenary in 2024, is the oldest pipe band association in the world and now functions to support the work of Pipe
Bands Victoria. This event will be a wonderful way to celebrate 100 years of the association.
“It is hoped that the Australian Pipe Band Championships 2024 will build on the annual New Year’s Day Maryborough Highland Gathering, bringing huge crowds to the town and entertainment to the wider community.”