On January 8, 1924, just over one century ago, an advertisement in the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners Advocate read,
“PIPERS AND DRUMMERS wanted for Newcastle Pipe Band.
Youths wishing to learn the Bagpipe are guaranteed expert tuition.
Band Practice every Wednesday night in Broadmeadow Mechanics’ Institute.”
Officially formed in 1924 (under the name Newcastle Pipe Band Association), a couple of articles in local newspapers revealed that the formation was actually unfolding from July 1923 where a very small mention in The Newcastle Sun wrote of the band requesting to borrow a base drum from The Northern Caledonian Society. By November 1923 it was reported that the band now had 19 pipers and 4 drummers and had only been in existence for four months.
Home away from home
It was probably inconceivable at that time that this band would flourish and grow, surpassing so many other community bands along the way. It has remained continuous and is still creating music and memories to this very day. Built on the enthusiasm, determination and perseverance of numerous Scotsmen and descendants of Scots, a second family or ‘home away from home’ bore creation however not everyone who plays in the band is of Scottish descent, some just love the music
Throughout the years there has seen so many stories, street parades, fundraising fairs, sporting festivals, surf life saving march past events, weddings, funerals, church fetes and even a protest against the increased price of bread in December 1938. From playing for the Duke of York (pre taking the throne) in 1930, greeting famous radio characters “Dad and Dave from Snake Gulley” at Newcastle train station, to performing on stage with Andre Rieu. The band has proudly represented the Newcastle region for the past one hundred years, from parading down Hunter Street to events across the state, with trips from Perth to New Zealand and Tasmania to Japan.
When quizzed on the relevance of a Scottish pipe band today in 21st century Australia, ANZAC Day would be the first topic that comes to mind. How void it would be without the pageantry of the pipe band leading the parade down King Street? How desolate would the wreath laying be without the piper playing the Lament? Anzac Day is the most important day of every bands’ calendar and this band has been partaking in services throughout Newcastle for the past one hundred years.
Centennial celebrations
This year, a successful fundraising ceilidh was held in March, the first function celebrating the centennial year, with an almost full house in attendance. Funds raised are being put towards the Centennial celebrations.
The major event however, is the Centennial Ball, being held at Newcastle City Hall on October 19 with ticket sales available at: www.trybooking.com/CSWHE.
A limited-edition of 2025 wall calendar has also been produced to help fundraise toward the celebrations priced at $25, these will be on sale throughout 2024. Contact through the bands email address [email protected] for a postal purchase.
So, in 2024, we, the City of Newcastle RSL Pipe Band, hope that all members of the Australian and Scottish community will help us celebrate and acknowledge what a colourful, meaningful and memorable thread we have woven through the country’s history books. We hope that many friends, family and former members will come along and be part of the celebrations. We are the ‘City of Newcastle RSL Pipe Band’ and 2024 is our Centennial Year.
For more information on the City of Newcastle RSL Pipe Band, and their centenary year, see: www.newcastlerslpipeband.com.au
Text by: Ailsa Barnett. Images courtesy of the City of Newcastle RSL Pipe Band.