Band History
Tartan - Oliphant Melvile
Motto
- A Tout Pouvoir (Provide For All)
 The
City of Blacktown Pipe Band was formed as the St Johns Ambulance
Pipe Band, because of its close association with that movement.
During 1975- 1980 the band did not have a permanent home and
practices were held in various Sydney suburbs. These areas
include Sydney City, Glebe, Balmain, Fairfield and Lidcombe.
Despite this, it was not long before the band began to shine
in the competition arena. In 1978 it was placed 3rd in the
Grade 2 Australian Championships. Two years later at the next
Australian Championships the band came 2nd, with a first in
piping and drumming, this was back in the good old days, when
dress and drill did NOT have a major bearing on contest results!
During 1981 an offer was made for the band to become known
as the City of Blacktown RSL Pipes & Drums. The Blacktown
RSL Club agreed to what, at the time was a substantial annual
sponsorship. The following year the band once again contested
the Grade 2 Australian Championships and successfully gained
1st Place. At the conclusion of that season the band was re-graded
to Grade1.
In 1982 it was decided that a Number 2 band be formed for
the junior performing members. The No.2 band has done exceedingly
well in competition over the past 18 years as has the No.1
Band. The latter has competed in over 100 Grade 1 competitions
and has been unplaced a dozen times. This is a tremendous
record.
In 1985 there was another name change. The management committee
was approached by the Blacktown Council and from this meeting
the City of Blacktown Pipes & Drums was born. This change
provided the band with an immediate cash grant to purchase
a full set of drums and an annual subsidy grant of $1500.00.
This Offer was accepted because the Band had been nomadic
in terms of it's practices for more than a decade and a permanent
practice venue was deemed necessary.
Since becoming the City of Blacktown Pipe Band, the band
has won the NSW State Pipe Band Championships, East Coast
of Australia Championships and the No.2 Band has gained 2nd
place in the Australian Grade 4 Championships twice. In 1990,
the No.2 band won the drumming event at the Australian Championships.
Due to the number of young players taught by the band, it
was necessary to form a No.3 band in 1990.
The band has represented our country in:
- Indonesia in 1983 & 1989 (inclusive).
- New Zealand 1988 and again toured Christchurch in 1992.
- The band has toured Europe including Scotland where both
the No.1 & No.2 bands completed in Grade 1 & Grade
4 at the World Pipe Band Championships in 1992, 1995 and
1998.
The band's contest achievements over the past decade are
unsurpassed in the state of New South Wales with Championship
in Juvenile, Grade 4, Grade 3, Grade 2 and Grade 1 all being
attained!
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