The St George- Sutherland Scottish Pipe Band has been entertaining the residents of the St George and Sutherland Shire areas, as well as of greater Sydney and beyond, now for 70 years, and recently celebrated that milestone with a luncheon and get-together in the Gymea Gorrillas club house in Sylvania.
After extensive efforts to track down all past members, more than 120 members and their families responded positively to the band’s invitation to the reunion.
Many travelled from country towns and one past member travelled all the way from Bowen in Queensland.
All enjoyed a wonderful day of meeting up with old friends and reminiscing about past band activities.
Two of those present were members of the band from 1946 and 1947.
Current Band members provided entertainment with a rousing bracket of tunes before lunch, followed an address on the band’s history from Ian McLennan, Pipe Major from the early 1960’s, a welcome to all from the current Pipe Major, Max Clark, and the cutting of the celebration cake.
The oldest past member present, John Lincoln, helped Helen McGregor and Jeanie Nicholson, two descendants of Foundation Members, in the ceremonial cake cutting.
The band gave a second performance in the afternoon and current members were joined by a number of past members who had brought their instruments.
It has been a busy time for the band members.
The band provided music for the passing out parade of 318 Squadron, Air Cadets at Safe Base Charlie on Sunday, December 4 and for the march-past at the North Cronulla surf carnival on Saturday, December 17.
As has become customary the band will be part of the entertainment at the Souths Juniors Rugby Leagues Football Club on New Year’s Eve.
In January the Band will be back on the beach for the Wanda Surf Club carnival and then in Macquarie Street at the St Stephens Church open day on Australia Day.
Despite concerted efforts to track down past members, more than 70 people on a list of past members could not be contacted.
The band will maintain its efforts in readiness for the next milestone, the 75 th Anniversary in 2021, when a similar reunion may be planned. It would be greatly appreciated if any family of past members would contact the Band.
The Band appreciates the support of local organisations and always is prepared to assist at any function or street parade where entertainment with a Scottish flavour is appropriate. Also, the Band welcomes new members and can provide tuition to any person who expresses a willingness to join.
To make contact with the Band please send an email to stgeorgepipeband@gmail.com, go to the Band’s web site at www.stgeorgepipeband.org or call Max Clark on 0429 709 667.