75 Years of the Kilted Pipe Band

Dear Fellow SCOTS PGC Pipes & Drums family,

9 May 2023

On behalf of the SCOTS PGC College Foundation, I am contacting you as you hold a special place in the history of the SCOTS PGC College.

Dear Fellow SCOTS PGC Pipes & Drums family,

On behalf of the SCOTS PGC College Foundation, I am contacting you as you hold a special place in the history of the SCOTS PGC College.

The kilted SCOTS College Pipes and Drums was established 75 years ago, thanks to a donation to purchase pipe band equipment and the acquisition of kilts. Today the band is representing the College and performing stronger than anyone could have imagined. I had the honour of taking part in my first SCOTS PGC Anzac Dawn Service Commemorations this year and the quality of the performance and the visual statement was truly inspiring. Commemorated at the Cenotaph between the historic School House and Chapel, hundreds of people come to SCOTS PGC College to attend this service and recognise our Diggers.

The kilted SCOTS College Pipes and Drums was established 75 years ago, thanks to a donation to purchase pipe band equipment and the acquisition of kilts. Today the band is representing the College and performing stronger than anyone could have imagined. I had the honour of taking part in my first SCOTS PGC Anzac Dawn Service Commemorations this year and the quality of the performance and the visual statement was truly inspiring. Commemorated at the Cenotaph between the historic School House and Chapel, hundreds of people come to SCOTS PGC College to attend this service and recognise our Diggers.

A full 75 years on from the inception of our band, you and fellow band mates have maintained a continuous presence. This has helped put SCOTS PGC on the map, representing the College in the wider community. It has also been integral in educating students about teamwork, leadership, individual achievement and the joy and benefits of music. As Chair of the SCOTS PGC College Foundation, and as a past piper in the band, I am proud to be supporting the College Foundation as we seek to honour the Alumni and community that made this milestone a reality. Throughout the years, dedicated individuals like you have toiled at learning your craft and committing to all that was required of the band. There were staff, parents and supporters that quietly helped make it happen. And of course, we had our wonderful band tutors and managers, too numerous to mention here. Which brings us to today, where long time Band Master and Scotsman Sandy Dalziel, has tutored and trained the band into the very competitive outfit that proudly represents SCOTS PGC College.

A full 75 years on from th e inception of our band, you and fellow band mates have maintained a continuous presence This has helped put SCOTS PGC on the map, representing the College in the wider community. It has also been integral in educating students about teamwork, leadership, individual achievement and the joy and benefits of music. As Chair of the SCOTS PGC College Foundation, and as a past piper in the band, I am proud to be supporting the College Foundation as we seek to honour the Alumni and community that made this milestone a reality. Throughout the years, dedicated individuals like you have toiled at learning your craft and committing to all that was required of the band. There were staff, parents and supporters that quietly helped make it happen. And of course, we had our wonderful band tutors and managers, too numerous to mention here. Which brings us to today, where long time Band Master and Scotsman Sandy Dalziel, has tutored and trained the band into the very competitive outfit that proudly represents SCOTS PGC College

The Warwick CelticFest is being held this year from Saturday September 30th to Sunday October 1st. Integral in this event is the inaugural Australian Juvenile Pipes & Drums Championships being hosted by our very own SCOTS PGC College at Briggs Oval. The SCOTS PGC Foundation is seeking to incorporate our commemorations of the 75 years of the kilted Pipes and Drums by inviting you back to celebrate. We have now successfully formed a “SCOTS PGC Foundation Past Students Pipes and Drums . To link our history back to our founding, we have regular players Dougal Finlay overseeing the pipes and Glenn Finlay overseeing the drums. Dougal is a keen piper to this day having been Pipe Major in 1987. Glenn has been a passionate member of Sale and District Pipes and Drums for a couple of decades having been Drummer and Drum Major 1981 to 1985 at SCOTS PGC. I am honoured that this link will be a connection back to my grandfather and his two brothers who initiated the band with their donation 75 years ago.

The Warwick CelticFest is being held this year from Saturday September 30th to Sunday October 1st Integral in this event is the inaugural Australian Juvenile Pipes & Drums Championships being hosted by our very own SCOTS PGC College at Briggs Oval. The SCOTS PGC Foundation is seeking to incorporate our commemorations of the 75 years of the kilted Pipes and Drums by inviting you back to celebrate. We have now successfully formed a “SCOTS PGC Foundation Past Students Pipes and Drums” To link our history back to our founding , we have regular players Dougal Finlay overseeing the pipes and Glenn Finlay overseeing the drums. Dougal is a keen piper to this day having been Pipe Major in 1987. Glenn has been a passionate member of Sale and District Pipes and Drums for a couple of decades having been Drummer and Drum Major 1981 to 1985 at SCOTS PGC. I am honoured that this link will be a connection back to my grandfather and his two brothers who initiated the band with their donation 75 years ago.

Unlike Dougal and Glenn, I can still play the bagpipes but have a lot of rust. This is not about competition; it is about participation, reconnecting, and reminiscing. If you can please ignore any reservation of rustiness that you have and come join us to be a part of celebrations. There will be plenty of opportunities to informally jump in and play again to see if it all comes back to you.

Unlike Dougal and Glenn, I can still play the bagpipes but have a lot of rust. This is not about competition; it is about participation, reconnecting, and reminiscing. If you can please ignore any reservation of rustiness that you have and come join us to be a part of celebrations.

There will be plenty of opportunities to informally jump in and play again to see if it all comes back to you. Even if you can’t see yourself playing with the band, you can still enjoy the occasion and you can once again walk with the parade as a proud past band member or Old Collegian.

C’mon what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone or email Foundation Manager Sarah Henry on sarah.henry@scotspgc.com.au or please contact myself on 0428535130 or finlayhay@y7mail. com if you can join the band for formal duties. We welcome you to join in the celebrations in any capacity, be that as a spectator, a participant, band member or past Collegian. Make a weekend of it, by encouraging your fellow past Collegians to visit the College for this historic occasion. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself once again in the impressive sight of the Cameron of Erracht tartan together with the sound of both the pipes and drums marching down Palmerin Street and performing on Briggs Oval.

Accommodation will be extremely tight that weekend in Warwick. Sarah Henry, our Foundation Manager at SCOTS PGC College, has been able to reserve some rooms in town, but we will all have to move quickly to secure accommodation. Sarah has also planned a program of events for us over the Friday and Saturday, see attachment. If you are in need of a kilt or instruments, the College has access to some additional pieces.

This is a wonderful opportunity for connecting with your SCOTS PGC roots and the fun of the band. Please pick up the phone and join us.

Yours faithfully,

Greg Finlay Foundation Chairman | SCOTS PGC College

Sponsorship and Donations

In the pursuit of providing a high-quality Championship and provides a fabulous experience for our young competitors, we are seeking support from the community through sponsorship or donations.

Your support will help to cover the costs of facilitating the championships, from the provision of facilities, onsite safety and amenities, prizes, official and judge fees.

Please contact our Foundation Manager - Sarah Henry if you are interested in supporting this wonderful event. sarah.henry@scotspgc.com.au or click the link to our College Website. - https://scotspgc.com.au/community/foundation/ youth-pipe-band-championships/