Warrnambool And District Pipes And Drums

Although the Scots tradition reaches back to the earliest days of Warrnambool when the numerous Scots immigrants formed the Western Caledonian Society, which held Highland Games in the 1850's a pipe band was not formed in Warrnambool until January 1906. At this time, members of the Caledonian Society and Scots community in and around Warrnambool determined that Scots music should play a prominent place at future holiday gatherings, and that highland music should be popularised. As a result the Warrnambool Pipe Band was formed in January 1906, with its purpose being to popularise Scottish music. There were twelve inaugural members in the Warrnambool Pipe Band when it was first established and all of these were pipers. Simon Fraser, the original Pipe Major, held the position from 1906 until 1910 and he was also the Pipe Tutor. The President of the band was also the President of the Caledonian Society. The most public appearance that the band made was in 1906 at the Easter Monday Gathering which was a Highland Gathering held each year by the Caledonian Society. The band's tartan is now the Anderson Tartan which was chosen as it is attractive. However, the original tartan was the Gordon tartan and it was changed in 1946 to the Cameron of Erracht tartan. The band has had several changes in its names and its current name Warrnambool and District Pipes and Drums was chosen to reflect the importance of both pipes and drums and also to indicate its members are from Warrnambool and the surrounding districts.

By 1935 Australia was beginning to climb out of the depression and it is assumed that around May 1935 the band was reformed. This came about when the Caledonian Society called for a meeting of interested people with the intention of forming a pipe band. The formation of the band it was argued would be an asset to Warrnambool. In the 1940's and due to the Second World War the band was again disbanded and not reformed until around 1946. At the same time the Caledonian Pipe band was also formed and a Ladies Pipe Band was also formed in the early 1950's.

In 1971 these bands combined to become the Warrnambool Combined Pipe band. In 1973 the band adopted the Anderson Tartan and was renamed to be known as Warrnambool and District Pipes and Drums in 1984. In 1986 the band became a member of the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association.

Today, the Warrnambool and District Pipes And Drums still wear the Anderson tartan and members enjoy active participation in the local Celtic music scene. The types of engagement attended by the band include concerts, street parades, band competitions, dinners, official functions, shows and fetes and pipers attend weddings and funerals.

The years of greatest membership were 1988, 1989 and 1990 when there were ninety six members, and the year of lowest known memberships was in 1906, the year the band was formed - there were twelve members. The membership from the band is drawn locally and from all over the western district of Victoria and at times internationally. The greatest distance regularly traveled by members to practice is more than 250 kms.

Members of the band who are noted as long serving and noteworthy are:

Allan Ingram - came from Scotland and was pipe major from 1964 to 1982
Rex Johnstone - pipe major from 1946 to 1969
Basil Brodie - bass drummer for twenty eight years
Orrie Brodie - a piper for twenty eight years
Jack Fraser - a member of the band from 1906 to 1910
Simon Fraser - the first pipe major and pipe tutor and also an expert on the Piorbaireachd
Eric Sheppard - noted for his services as a piper from 1946 to 1966
Ernest Scullion - 1983 All Ireland Senior Solo Drumming Champion
1984 Juvenile Solo Drumming World Champion
1991 Senior Drumming Ulster Champion
is noted for improving the standard of the drum corps during his short period as drum tutor and leading drummer.
Steven McWhirter - Irish drummer who won the 2006 World Solo Drumming Championship and provides his services to the band when in Australia.
James Laughlin - A passionate drum teacher and performer, who provides his services to the band when in Australia
2000 & 2001-World Solo Juvenile Drumming Champion
2007 Winner, British Columbia Pro Drumming Aggregate
Semi Finalist, Adult world Solo Drumming Championships
Has played with Simon Fraser University Pipe Band for 5 years

Donald Blair has held the position of Pipe Major and Pipe Tutor since 1982. Under his direction both the band and individual pipers have competed successfully at many competitions. Many members have been encouraged to further pursue their music by having opportunities to travel overseas and some have gone on to composing band tunes.

Today, the band regularly competes with distinction in all parts of Victoria and interstate with many members also successfully competing in solo contests. The band success began in 1982 with a win in the Victorian Juvenile Championships. In 1994 the band was placed 3rd. in the juvenile championships. It then went on to win the grade 2 Australian Championship in 1992, Grade 4 Victorian and South Australian Championship in 1999 and 2nd. in the grade 3 championship in 2000. In 2001 the band won both the Victorian and Australian Championship in grade 3 and in 2004 in Taupo, the band won the New Zealand Championships returning to Australia to win the Australian Championships one week later. The band's most recent win was in March 2008 in Papakura, again winning the New Zealand Championships in grade 3.

The band aims to:
♥ provide the opportunity for individuals to learn and play Drums and Bagpipes at the highest level.
♥ to play in an enjoyable environment and
♥ to continue the strong Scots heritage of the region.

The band had become a leader in the educational field of piping and drumming. It presents a monthly School Program to local primary schools to recruit potential new players into the band. Since 2001 it has conducted its South West Coast Piper Drummer Workshop in April each year featuring highly respected local and overseas tutors.

The band celebrated its centenary in 2007.

Key Event
WADPADI conducts or participates in a number of programs on a annual and ongoing basis which are fundamental to the band's development.
These events are:

Celtic Concert
Pipe Band Competitions
South West Coast Piper Drummer Workshop
Local Events

WADPADI also works within the education community to promote piping and drumming as a recreational activity. Being involved in a band is a great social activity and enables young people to learn a skill for life. To promote the band and educate young people about the Scottish Heritage in our region, WADPADI maintains a regular program of attending schools. This initiative was also developed to assist with recruiting. The South West Coast Piper Drummer Workshop is attended annually by approximately 100 participants ranging from beginners to open standard players from across Victoria and South Australia and represents a broad cross section of the piping and drumming community. The band and its members compete regularly at solo, mini and full band competitions throughout Victoria and interstate. Further details about competitions and Highland Gatherings can be found at the website of Pipe
Bands Victoria: http://www.pipebandsvic.com

Practice and Tuition
Learner practice - Monday - 7.00pm to 9.00pm.
Advanced practice - Thursday - 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Venue: Lane Pavilion
           Friendly Societies Park
           Hyland Street
           Warrnambool.

New Members
The band is always looking for new members. We cater for all levels, from beginners to accomplished players. If you are keen to join and be a member of the band, come along to our practice nights to see and discuss how to become a member.

Friends of WADPADI
Join the friends of the Warrnambool and District Pipes and Drums Inc. The friends of WADPADI are very special people to us. By becoming a friend your generous donation contributes to the enormous expenses involved in the ongoing development of the band, its members and the culture within the region. If you wish to assist the band by becoming a friend of WADPADI please forward your donation to:
                The Secretary
                PO Box 618
                Warrnambool, Victoria 3280

Note:All donations to WADPADI are tax deductible

Band Playing Officers
The Pipe Major fills a role akin to the musical director of a musical organisation. Donald Blair has been the pipe major of the band for over twenty years. He has been extremely prominent in tutoring quality solo pipers and also has been successful in leading the band competing at the highest level.Donald has led the band to two Australian Champion titles, numerous State titles and in 2004 and 2008 won the Royal New Zealand Pipe Band Association Grade 3 National Championship. He is always striving to encourage and develop young players and present a quality performance focusing on exciting and challenging music. Donald was an early recipient of the Sir Rupert Hamer Award which he received from the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association in 1995 for services to the Victorian Piping and Drumming community. Donald is assisted by pipe sergeant Tim McLeod drum sergeant Peter Moir and lead drummer Nick McLeod.