About Us

ABOUT US

Wagga Wagga has had two pipe bands in the past. The first pipe band in Wagga Wagga was the St. Andrew's Heather Pipe Band. Later in 1958, the Turvey Park Pipe Band was formed. Bob Scott, Clyde Fife, David Caplice and Baden Hart are the original founding members of this band. The Turvey Park Pipe Band was later renamed to the Wagga and District Pipe Band in 1960, as many members were from nearby towns.

In 1964 the band hosted it's own Highland Gathering, including Minor Band contest, Solo Piping and Drumming, a Best Drum Major and a National Dancing competition and was a great success. Unfortunately the following 12 months saw a gradual decline in band strength and the band went into recess.

Six years elapsed before the band was reformed during 1971. Bob Scott was the instigator of that reformation. Following this, the band competed in a mini band competition conducted by the Caledonian Society at Eric Weissal Oval in the Spring of 1973. In 1974 the band contested it's first full scale competition at the "Gathering of the Towns" at Bathurst where it took third place in Grade 3. Competitions followed in Canberra and Daylesford (Victoria) before the band staged its own Highland Gathering at Wagga's Robertson Oval during October 1974. The next 12 months saw the band attending gatherings at Orange, Canberra, Glebe, Daylesford, Shepparton and Wagaratta, and on the next October long weekend, the Wagga Band hosted the NSW State Pipe Band Championships. Further competitions prepared the band for entry into the Australian Championships in 1978.

The band competed for many years throughout New South Wales and Victoria, however a combination of dwindling numbers and the expense involved in traveling vast distances to where these competitions are held forced our hand to retire from the competing circuit and remain as a social pipe-band with the aim of developing the art and culture associated with the playing of the pipes & drums in the next generation and of course providing entertainment to the wider public. A number of players within our band do play with other competing pipebands to hone their skills and the Wagga Band benefits from the skills they return with.

In the past, the Band has performed (other than competition) in numerous places such as New Zealand, Mittagong, Bundanoon, Goulburn, Condobolin, Puckapunual, Batlow, Young, Tumut, Griffith, Galong, Urana, St. Mary's and Bathurst. Performing at town events throughout the district including Victoria is something that this band continues to do, despite its decline in numbers.

Throughout its history, the Band has supported many charity and social organisations. Its members have given their time to perform and entertain at countless functions held by other groups, assisting them to raise money for many worthwhile projects and charities.

From the 1960s to the ’80s the band has had upwards of 25 players on the parade ground but the numbers have dwindled since the late 90's. So we're always welcoming of fellow pipers, drummers and learners wanting to join the ranks.

Bob Scott is the current band Pipe Major, and has performed in that capacity for a total of five decades now.

The band traditionally wears the MacPherson Tartan, though with financial constraints we're adopting an "all tartans" approach. This also gives members a chance to wear their own tartan if they have one.

We meet at 7pm each Tuesday at the band hall which is located at Wagga Beach. Look forward to seeing you!