History
The band was formed in July 1991 after a meeting in a room under Ian Gray’s house. Those present were;
- Ian Gray
- Jim Mowatt
- David Rushford
- Charlie Williams
- Atholl Robertson
- Brett Cunning
All were talented and experienced bandsmen who had become dissatisfied with their current bands and eager to branch out on their own. Ian Gray was elected the founding Pipe Major of the band.
The band initially practiced at the Diamond Valley Community Centre for about 3 months before moving onto Banyule Secondary College, Banyule Scout Hall and Bulleen Scout Hall respectively. Since 1998 the band has used the Red Cross Centre at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.
The band encountered many problems in its early years, primarily because of the lack of financial support. Founding member David Rushford was the driving force behind our sponsorship, and subsequent naming of the Watsonia RSL Pipes and Drums. He spent many nights at the RSL promoting the merits of them sponsoring their own pipe band. In September 1991 the band formally applied for sponsorship to the Watsonia RSL, making it the first RSL band registered with the VPBA.
For the full history of the Watsonia RSL Pipes and Drums please click here
- Ian Gray
- Jim Mowatt
- David Rushford
- Charlie Williams
- Atholl Robertson
- Brett Cunning
All were talented and experienced bandsmen who had become dissatisfied with their current bands and eager to branch out on their own. Ian Gray was elected the founding Pipe Major of the band.
The band initially practiced at the Diamond Valley Community Centre for about 3 months before moving onto Banyule Secondary College, Banyule Scout Hall and Bulleen Scout Hall respectively. Since 1998 the band has used the Red Cross Centre at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.
The band encountered many problems in its early years, primarily because of the lack of financial support. Founding member David Rushford was the driving force behind our sponsorship, and subsequent naming of the Watsonia RSL Pipes and Drums. He spent many nights at the RSL promoting the merits of them sponsoring their own pipe band. In September 1991 the band formally applied for sponsorship to the Watsonia RSL, making it the first RSL band registered with the VPBA.
For the full history of the Watsonia RSL Pipes and Drums please click here
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Competition
The Watsonia RSL Pipes and Drums have recently been re-graded from Grade 4 competition to Grade 3. In the bands 18 years it has been very successful in the Australian competition scene. It’s more recent competition achievements have been;
~ 1st place Daylesford Highland Gathering, 2009 Grade 3
~ 2nd place Geelong Highland Gathering, 2009 Grade 4
~ 2nd place Australian Pipe band Championships Sydney, 2008 Grade 4
~ 1st place New Zealand Pipe band Championships Papakura, 2008 Grade 4
~ 1st place Victorian Pipe band Championships Ballarat, 2008 Grade 4
~ 1st place Victorian Pipe band Championships Geelong, 2008 Grade 4
~ 1st place Victorian Pipe band Championships Ringwood, 2008 Grade 4
~ 2nd place New Zealand Pipe band Championships Christchurch, 2007 Grade 4
~ 1st place Victorian Pipe band Championships Daylesford, 2007 Grade 4
The bands current competition tunes are as follows;
MSR
King George V’s Army 2/4 March
Captain Colin Campbell 4/4 Strathspey
Lachlan McPhail of Tiree 2/2 Reel
Medley
Maui to Kona 2/4 Hornpipe
Long Island Jig 6/8 Jig
Jack’s Bugle 3/4 Slow Air
Keelrow 4/4 Strathspey
Dimitri’s Suspicion and Jenny Dang 2/2 Reel
~ 1st place Daylesford Highland Gathering, 2009 Grade 3
~ 2nd place Geelong Highland Gathering, 2009 Grade 4
~ 2nd place Australian Pipe band Championships Sydney, 2008 Grade 4
~ 1st place New Zealand Pipe band Championships Papakura, 2008 Grade 4
~ 1st place Victorian Pipe band Championships Ballarat, 2008 Grade 4
~ 1st place Victorian Pipe band Championships Geelong, 2008 Grade 4
~ 1st place Victorian Pipe band Championships Ringwood, 2008 Grade 4
~ 2nd place New Zealand Pipe band Championships Christchurch, 2007 Grade 4
~ 1st place Victorian Pipe band Championships Daylesford, 2007 Grade 4
The bands current competition tunes are as follows;
MSR
King George V’s Army 2/4 March
Captain Colin Campbell 4/4 Strathspey
Lachlan McPhail of Tiree 2/2 Reel
Medley
Maui to Kona 2/4 Hornpipe
Long Island Jig 6/8 Jig
Jack’s Bugle 3/4 Slow Air
Keelrow 4/4 Strathspey
Dimitri’s Suspicion and Jenny Dang 2/2 Reel
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Location
The band practices on Monday nights 7.30pm – 10.30pm at
The Red Cross Centre
Heidelberg Repatriation General Hospital.
Medical Centre
Corner Bell Street and Waterdale Road
West Heidelberg, Victoria 3081
Melways Reference: Page 31 G3
The Watsonia RSL Pipes and Drums thank the continuous support and encouragement provided by the Heidelberg Repat Hospital.
The Red Cross Centre
Heidelberg Repatriation General Hospital.
Medical Centre
Corner Bell Street and Waterdale Road
West Heidelberg, Victoria 3081
Melways Reference: Page 31 G3
The Watsonia RSL Pipes and Drums thank the continuous support and encouragement provided by the Heidelberg Repat Hospital.
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Sponsorship
The bands major financial sponsor and supporter is the Watsonia Sub-branch of the RSL. The band gratefully acknowledges their continued sponsorship and the support of its individual RSL veterans and members The band is honoured and proud to carry the Watsonia RSL banner in the community.
