Watsonia RSL Pipes and Drums

The band was formed in 1991 after a meeting in a room under Ian Gray's house, in July of that year. Those present were

All were highly experienced bandsmen who had become dissatisfied with their current bands.

Ian Gray was elected to be the founding Pipe Major.

We first practiced in the Diamond valley Community Center. The big problem was chanters. Every one was different: ranging from 1963 wooden Hardies, 1980 wooden Lawries, 1976 Warmacs to a real modern 1990 Shepherd. After a month it was essential that matched chanters be procured. The problem was that there was no money, but David Rushford came to the rescue by buying a set of 12 Warmac chanters from Moorabin Pipe Band. The band was to pay him back when it became established.

After practicing in the Diamond Valley Community Centre for about three months, the band spent three months at Banyule Secondary College, two months at Banyule Scout Hall, then five and a half years at the Bulleen Scout Hall. Since 1998 we have used the Red Cross Centre at the Repatriation Hospital.

David was also the driving force behind our sponsorship, and subsequent naming as 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 VHPBA. During the negotiations and after the purchase of the chanters, uniforms were next. As Footscray Pipe band had just purchased new kilts, their Pipe Major, John Young, offered a loan of any old kilts and glengarries that were of any use. This was gratefully accepted. Most of the kilts were re-worked with new lining, new buckles and straps, and some pleats re-sewn. Old glengarries were washed and pressed, and as all members owned white shirts that became the colour. A dozen dark blue ties were purchased after it was official that we were Watsonia RSL Pipes and Drums and some sponsorship money was made available.

As well as being negotiator, David Rushford was the band's first President. Other officials were:

The Army and Navy stores of not just Melbourne but Victoria were scoured for ex-Army sporrans. We got 12 but they were brown. They had to be stripped and dyed black, but at least we now had a summer uniform. It was decided as all players had black jackets or access to one to wear black jackets, white shirts, dark blue ties, black army sporrans and red Robertson kilts, fawn socks and black shoes. This was the first official uniform of the Watsonia RSL Pipes and Drums.

Our first paying engagement was for Kilmore Hospital and Nursing Home; we had 2/3 players from Footscray and 2/3 from Frankston RSL helping us out. Before this playout, three pipers played with the Footscray Pipe Band at the 1991 Melbourne Cup, and the money earned paid for the ties ($60.00). After the first playout we were then asked to play in the clubrooms on social nights and after the Anzac March 1992.

In 1994/1995 it was decided to have our own uniform. At a Christmas barbecue three tartans were presented, members were asked to select a tartan and Ancient Macbeth was chosen. Then we decided on shirts and jackets. With our sponsorship money assured we had Watsonia RSL cap and sporran badges made, and Watsonia RSL belt buckles ad kilt pins. The uniform (still current) is:

The band has red bag covers fringed with black, and red drone cords. After having our own uniform competition was the next challenge, and we entered mini bands at Melbourne, Bendigo and Ballarat with some success at each venue.

Next we tackled full band competitions. After two uneventful seasons we secured the services of Alan Anderson of the Victoria Police Pipe Band as a pipe tutor. In 1997 we started off by winning South St Ballarat, placed at Daylesford, won Berwick and Nunawading, came second in Geelong, won Ringwood and capped it off by becoming Australian Grade 4 champions at Newcastle in April 1998, under the leadership of Dennis Bull as Pipe Major, and with the service of Ross Bates (also of the Victoria Police Pipe Band) as tutor. We were promoted to Grade 3 in season 1998/1999 but did not do too well, and were relegated back to Grade 4, after which we won Grade 4 at Nunawading in 2000. Since then we have been trying to rebuild to competition standard in mini and full band competitions.

Band playouts have included:

Anzac Day is the biggest day in the Band's year. It includes: March at Greensborough, March at Watsonia, March in the City to the Shrine of Remembrance, playing for the SAS at Kelvin House, playing for the 106 Tank Attack, and playing back in the Clubrooms at Watsonia RSL.

In recent years Ian Gray has been re-elected as Pipe Major.

Here are a few photos from early days:
Anzac Day, 1992 Anzac Day, 1992 Banyule March, 1995
Full Band, 1992 Full Band

Other photos can be found on the pictures page.

(History provided by Atholl Robertson)