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GRAFTON DISTRICT SERVICES CLUB

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25th April, 2009				Anzac Day This year was the 61st Anzac Day parade that Drum Major Les has attended! And another busy day for band members. The full band led the diggers to the dawn service in Memorial Park. We then had breakfast with the diggers at the Grafton Services Club. Then it was back to Prince St to lead the main march. After the service we went by bus to South Grafton to lead their march and then adjourned to a well earned lunch, again at the Services Club. Pipe Major Alastair performed his annual ritual of piping us across the river, playing wonderful tunes such as The Fiddler's Rally and The Mason's Apron.

11th April, 2009				Maclean Highland Gathering It is very pleasing to see our younger band members competing in solo events. Successful competitors were: C McInnes - second in two elementary piping events A Kent - third in sub-intermediate snare drum C Leek - first in learner drum pad Congratulations also to Finley who competed in the band competition for the first time.

21st March, 2009				Armidale Autumn Festival This is an annual event on the band's calendar. Travelling by bus, with a morning tea stop over at the Standing Stones in Glen Innes, allows band members to enjoy one another's company. At Armidale, the band played the festival parade as well as giving a solo performance in the park and participating in the massed band.

21st February, 2009				Charity Bowls Evening Band members joined with family and friends to enjoy a fun evening of lawn bowls at the club, followed by a bbq. Thanks to George for his organisation and a special thanks to bowling club members for their instruction.

30th November, 2008				St Andrew's Night This is an annual celebration (both in Scotland and abroad) of Scottish heritage. Band members, family and friends gathered at the South Grafton Club to do just that! Band members demonstrated their versatility with some highland dancing, Irish dancing and solo piping. The band also entertained. And of course, the haggis was addressed in true Scottish fashion.

30th August, 2008				Ipswich Gathering This was our third band contest for the year. Again we enjoyed the challenge of competing, even though our drum corps was depleted.

18th August, 2008				Vietnam Veteran's Day Once again band members led a parade of Vietnam Veterans along Prince St to Memorial Park and participated in the service of remembrance held there.

27th July, 2008				Pipe Band Annual Charity Golf Day To complete a busy weekend, band members turned out at dawn to run their annual charity day at Westlawn Golf Course. The weather was kind, there were lots of golfers and the barbecue lunch was great! Many thanks to the Grafton District Services Club and its golfers for their support.

26th July, 2008				Korean War Veteran's March Veteran's gathered in Grafton to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the end of the Korean War. Once again, the pipe band led the march up Prince St to Memorial Park for a moving ceremony in front of the Korean Memorial.

12th July, 2008				Carrara Pipe Band Contest The band entered its second competition for the year, this time travelling to the Gold Coast. Lots of practice prior to this event paid off with the band gaining second place in the 4th grade competition.

5th July, 2008				Naidoc Week Commemorative Ceremony The band led a street parade from the South Grafton Post Office to the Cenotaph prior to this ceremony which honoured the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans, serving members and ex-servicepersons for their contribution to the defence of Australia.

3rd May, 2008				Australian Celtic Festival, Glen Innes The band had a great day out at the Celtic Festival in Glen Innes. It was a 6am start from Grafton and another trip up the Gwyder Highway in a bus. The band played in the parade and massed band in the main street of Glen Innes and then moved up to the Standing Stones to participate in activities there.

25 April, 2008				Anzac Day Once again the pipe band led both the Anzac Day Dawn Service and the main march in Grafton and then the main march in South Grafton. Individual members also participated in services around the Clarence Valley. More photos in the Gallery.

12 April, 2008				Grafton Relay for Life On a lovely afternoon, the band led the survivor's walk around McKittrick Park, South Grafton. This event launched the Relay for Life event. We then entertained with a few tunes in front of the stage.

29 March, 2008				Armidale Autumn Festival The band recently travelled to Armidale for the Armidale Autumn Festival. The bus trip, including morning tea at the Standing Stones in Glen Innes, was enjoyed by all. In Armidale we joined five other pipebands providing music and spectacle for the large crowds that turned out to watch the grand parade. We also participated in massed band performances during the day.

Easter , 2008				Maclean Highland Gathering The band competed in the Grade 4 contest at the Maclean Highland Gathering after an absence of three years. This was a major milestone for the band and while we didn't take any prizes, we were pleased with our efforts. Band members also competed successfully in solo piping, solo drumming, highland dancing and the athletic events.

January, 2008				But Bagpipers are Good People! Despite appearing to upset some of the local Diggers Camp residents with his piping, Dennis with fellow campers and residents carried out some fundraising for the Westpac Helicopter service during the New Year period. Click here to read the newspaper article.

20th January, 2008				Drumming Workshop Five of our drummers participated in a workshop in Coffs Harbour conducted by drummers visiting from overseas. Snare drum instructor was James Laughlin, a member of Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. James has twice been world juvenile solo drumming champion and last year was a semi finalist in the senior solo drumming championships. Tenor drumming instructor was Holly Shaw, a solo tenor drum champion from Alberta Caledonia Pipe Band, Canada. Our drummers were high in praise of their instructors and gained much valuable information from the day.

18th January, 2008				Piping Just Not Appreciated! Usually, when we play our bagpipes we attract an enthusiastic audience. However this week, one of our band members featured in the local newspaper because his piping was not appreciated. Click here to read the article from the Clarence Valley Review.

15th January, 2008				Band Practice Resumes The band is looking forward to a busy and fulfilling 2008. The major focus is the Maclean Highland Gathering in March at which the band will return to the competition field with a new drum corps. In preparation for this event, uniforms are being upgraded with a number of new kilts being purchased.

14th January, 2008				Truck Drivers Memorial The band again provided music for a moving ceremony at the memorial wall in South Grafton in which seven truck drivers killed on the roads were remembered. Band members provide this service in memory of deceased band member, Paul Bloomer.

15th December, 2007				Cadet Passing Out Parade The final outing for 2007 saw the band providing the music for the ceremonial passing out parade of the local cadet group. This parade was a testing initiation for new bass drummer, Rob!

3rd November, 2007				Jacaranda Festival Grafton Pipe Band opened the musical afternoon in Market Square with a selection of favourite band tunes. It was a very hot day - hard work playing in the sun! The weather stayed fine this year for the grand parade which culminated in the massed band in Prince Street. Bands people then gathered at the Grafton Bowling Club for a meal and a jam session.

27th October, 2007				Jacaranda Youth March. The pipe band led the young people of Grafton down the main street for the opening parade of the Grafton Jacaranda Festival. The band congratulated three drummers, Tony, Finley and Morgan, on their first playout and also extended warm wishes to Drum Major Barry on his 70th birthday! To round off the day, the band visited five nursing homes in Grafton and entertained the residents.

2nd October, 2007				Band member Libby and her husband Matt rejoice in the birth of their first child, Scott James. Congratulations!

September 2007				The band has received notification of a successful application for funding from the government's 2007 Volunteer Small Equipment Grants. With this grant the band will purchase a variety of items to assist in the operation of the band and in the musical training of new band members.